KASTAUFFER Posted April 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted April 17, 2009 I recently bought this uniform off a dealers list for $35 as unresearched and basically sold for the value of the jacket and patches. He sells some nice stuff and much of what he sells comes out of Pennsylvania. When I saw this uniform, I knew it had to have belonged to a POW captured in the Philippines. The Philippine Dept patch and the FEAF patch are common combinations that liberated POW's returning to the US had on their uniforms. The 7 overseas bars and one hash mark indicate the same. When I got the uniform in the mail I carefully combed through it looking for a name. In the cuff of the uniform was the name "BENEDUM" ! BINGO... Only 1 POW in WWII with that name and he was captured in the Philippines as well. An internet search revealed a website with the following bio: George D. Benedum, Jr. Biography George was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 3, 1921 and lived most of his life in Harrisburg. In February 1941, shortly after graduation from John Harris High School, Harrisburg, George enlisted in the United States Army. He received his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was sent to the Philippines in July of 1941. George served in the Air Warning Unit as a radio operator. When the Japanese invaded, he managed to evade the Bataan Death March and served with a local guerrilla outfit until captured by the Japanese on March 8,1943 in Abra Province in North Luzon. He was held prisoner of war in Provincial Capitol. From there George was sent to Vigan in Illocos SVR Province through to San Fernando in Launion Province for about one week, and then transferred to San Fernando Pampanga. From there he went to Cabanatuan. In July 1943, he went to Manilla, then by hell ship to Japan via Taipei, Formosa to camp #17 Omuta, Furoka, Japan. While in prison camp, he worked sixteen hours per day in coal mines existing on meager rations. George was released in August 1945, after the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, thereby saving thousands of American lives, his included. George returned to the United States via hospital ship as George was declared too ill to travel by air. George was hospitalized at Newton D. Banker General Hospital until it closed May 18 1946 where he took a discharged rather than be transferred to another Army Hospital. He returned to his home in Harrisburg, but later spent several months in Deshan VA Hospital in Butler, PA. One of his favorite stories was that upon returning to Harrisburg, the local Selective Service Board notified him that he had never signed up for the draft. When his health improved, he was employed in Harrisburg and later by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation under the governor’s office. George was married on September 15, 1952 to Helen Hammond Skinner of Kearneysville, WV. They established a home in Harrisburg, and he continued to work for the commonwealth as an accountant until his retirement July 15, 1981. George enjoyed his retirement as it gave him more time for his avid interest in reading, mostly history, and his personal stamp collection. Personal Account I served in World War II under the command of Lt. Arnold in the Philippine Islands. I was stationed at IBA Zambaies Province where I was a radio Operator. In early December or late November of 1941, we were detached under Lt. Arnold to go to the north to set up a new position at Cape Bojeador in Northern Luzon. I was assigned as the radio operator with this group when we arrived at our destination in early December, having been escorted by a Philippine Engineer Group to reinforce bridges, etc. because of our heavy equipment, we started to set up our unit. We did not have time to become operational with either our radar unit or our radio. On December 8, 1941, between 9:00 and 10:00 A.M., we saw our camp, then banked away after getting a good look at us. We were not bombed. I particularly remember the following who were with us in the group under Major Cushing: Ernest Zaidja , who was captured in February of 1943 and sent to bilibid Prison. As far as I know, he never got to Cabanatuan; Luis Goldbrum , as you already know; Clyde Mchenry – I was with him until shortly before I was captured. I was captured March 8, 1943 in Abra Province in Northern Luzan, where I was held in prison in the Provincial Capital. From there, I was sent to Vigan in Illocos SVR Province, then to San Fernando in LA Union Province for about one week and then to San Fernando Pampange, then Cabanatuan. In July 1943 I was sent to Manila, then transferred by hell ships to Japan via Taipai , Formosa to Camp # 17 Omuta, Fukuoka Japan. I was released in August of 1945. In 1946, after my discharge, I was interviewed by army Intelligence officers for about one week for a period of about two hours every day concerning our guerilla activities, evasion tactics, etc. It might be possible to get hold of these. end It is hard to find nice un-messed with uniforms to Pacific POW's and this one will permanently take a spot in my collection. If only it had been to a Marine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted April 17, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted April 17, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted April 17, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted April 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted April 17, 2009 Awesome find, and great research Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted April 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted April 17, 2009 It sure pays to know your stuff. That is quite a find. Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted April 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted April 17, 2009 Wow, well done! Amazing. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
316th FS 324th FG Posted April 17, 2009 Share #8 Posted April 17, 2009 Nice job and great find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted April 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted April 18, 2009 Damn I was watching that too. I figured it also had to be a POW or Guerrilla uniform.Nice score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted April 23, 2009 Damn I was watching that too. I figured it also had to be a POW or Guerrilla uniform. Nice score I even asked the guy selling it if the uniform if it was named, and he said no. I went with my instincts and bought it anyway HOPING he missed something! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriscoHare Posted April 23, 2009 Share #11 Posted April 23, 2009 Very, very nice uniform! I'm glad gut feelings pay off and that you found the history to a great piece. ~Rabbit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted April 23, 2009 Share #12 Posted April 23, 2009 Hi Kurt, That is a wonderful find! I don't know if you know of Linda Dahl's website honoring camp #17 survivors but your guy is listed there also. http://www.lindavdahl.com/ CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 23, 2009 Share #13 Posted April 23, 2009 Great find Kurt! I have never looked in the cuffs for the name. I wonder what else I have missed. Thanks for posting this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted April 23, 2009 Share #14 Posted April 23, 2009 1st rate find. Great research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teutonen Posted April 23, 2009 Share #15 Posted April 23, 2009 Your research brought that uniform to life. Excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FightenIrish35 Posted April 28, 2009 Share #16 Posted April 28, 2009 Simply awesome Kurt!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted April 28, 2009 Share #17 Posted April 28, 2009 Congrats on the great find, Kurt. Very interesting....and a gamble well worth taking this time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMorley Posted September 7, 2009 Share #18 Posted September 7, 2009 WOW, what a great find for only $35.00!! With that story this uniform is priceless . . . congratulations upon the addition of such a fantastic named uniform to your collection!! I'm totally jealous!! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted December 7, 2012 BTT in memory of the 71st Anniversary of the attack of the Philippines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted April 9, 2015 Back to the top in memory of the fall of Bataan, April 9, 1942. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted April 9, 2015 Share #21 Posted April 9, 2015 I love reading the personal history. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share #22 Posted April 5, 2020 back up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted April 5, 2020 Share #23 Posted April 5, 2020 That was a very nice score! Thanks for bumping it! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDTMilitaria Posted April 5, 2020 Share #24 Posted April 5, 2020 Awesome uniform and story! I also have a FEAF POW uniform I found unresearched, but for him he was not so lucky to avoid the Bataan death march, and spent 3 years, 5 months, and 18 days as a POW to the Japanese. love to read and see info on these brave men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Kibler Posted April 7, 2020 Share #25 Posted April 7, 2020 AWESOME! I live just across the river from Harrisburg and currently work in Harrisburg for the Commonwealth of PA. LOTS of wonderful groups have come out of this area! If there's anyway I can help - shoot me a PM! Awesome uniform! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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