Morrison-Knudsen & Wake Island POWs
We were in Boise for the 84th birthday party for my father, Oscar Paulson. The people there were either family or co-workers from his years with Morrison-Knudsen (M-K). I listened in to an interesting conversations about the capture of Wake Island by the Japanese and the M-K construction workers who were taken prisoner.
I did some Google searching and the story is quite amazing. First some background on M-K. According to the Idaho State Historical Society Harry W. Morrison and Morris H. Knudsen:
became partners in March 1912, with six teams of horses, some equipment, and $100 in cash. Their first major job was the Three-Mile Falls Dam in Oregon in 1914.
… In 1926 they built Guernsey Dam in Wyoming, where Morrison pioneered the concept of the joint-venture — several firms joining to bid and complete a single project. In 1929 they built Deadwood Dam in Central Idaho, using for the first time bulldozers and diesel trucks instead of horses. In 1931 Morrison formed the Six Companies, Inc. to construct the mammoth Hoover Dam (wiki). The joint venture concept was also used when M-K worked on the San Francisco side of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
… The company began work on foreign construction with projects for the U.S. military — M-K employees were among the Americans killed or captured on Wake Island during World War II. In 1943 the company began projects in Mexico and Canada and quickly spread worldwide. Later M-K projects included Grand Coulee Dam, the St. Lawrence Seaway, railroads in Peru and Brazil, and Karadj Dam in Iran.
According to an Associated Press story about the company:
The projects were big and made a difference in the way people lived. In 1954, Time magazine called Harry Morrison the one builder in history who had done the most to change the face of the earth.
My family has always been an M-K family. Both of my parents have worked for the company, 4 out of the 5 of us kids have worked for M-K, and even 2 of our spouses worked for M-K when we met them. My younger brother and myself were in Viet-Nam (3/1966-1/1969) with my folks during the war on an M-K job and my brother was with my parents in Iran as a high school senior when the Shah was deposed. The school graduated his whole senior class mid-term and the company strongly suggested all family members leave the country.
So, back to Wake Island. Harry Morrison was devastated to have over 1,000 employees of his small Boise, Idaho company captured and/or killed while working for him on Wake Island. The best account of the story I have found is by Major Mark E. Hubbs. It is hard to comprehend the worldview of the Japanese soldiers whose barbaric treatment of the prisoners was based on the fact that they could not understand why these men would surrender unless they were cowards who were unfit to live. All but 98 of the men were shipped to labor camps in Japan and China. Over 200 of these men either died on the ships or in the labor camps. The 98 men who were left on Wake Island were mostly experienced construction hands who could operate the machinery. All 98 of these men were killed before the island was liberated. It is a gruesome tale.
Some books I would like to read:
- Remember Wake by Teresa R. Funke
- Pacific Alamo: The Battle for Wake Island by John Wukovits
- Hell Wouldnt Stop: An Oral History of the Battle of Wake Island by Chet Cunningham
- Jims Journey: A Wake Island Civilian POWs Story by Leilani A. Magnino
Here is a list of the articles I found online:
- Massacre on Wake Island by Major Mark E. Hubbs
- Wikipedia article on Wake Island
- The Peter Hansen Story by Gerard Moran -The Testimony of Claude Davis Howes a diary account
- 44 Months of Strict Hell By Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald staff writer
- Nampan Recalls 16 Days Under Fire by J.O. Young, Idaho Press-Tribune. (Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7)
- Farm Bureau Fall 2006 Magazine pages 36,37,41
- A Magnificent Fight: Marines in the Battle for Wake Island by Robert J. Cressman
I just read your posting of August 28, 2005, of the Morrison-Knudsen contractors on Wake Island. A cousin of mine was one of those men; he died in a camp in Japan. I heard that M-K had published a “blue book” or yearbook listing information and photos of most of those workers. Do you know anything about that book – its title or how I might find a copy to look at?
Comment by Jim Bair — August 12, 2006 @ 3:45 pm
looking for info on my dad thomas bailey lee captured on wake island…what is out there?
Comment by robert bailey lee carmody — February 23, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
My uncle, Frank Lemkin, was captured on Wake island and spent the war in a Jap POW Camp. He survived and returned to the states where he lived until his death in the 1970′s. I doubt if anyone still alive remembers him. Frank would have been 106 this year. he worked for Morrison Knudsen on the Boulder Dam project and again on Wake. I remember seeing uncle Frank for the first time in 1946 after he had been released from the Army hospital in San Francisco. We were living in Los Angeles at the time. He had some pretty bad stories about the japs but I was so young, he didn’t tell the worst to me.If anyone has any details about his capture and imprisonment I would appreciate hearing about it.Too many people have forgotten the brutality of the Japs and when I pass on, no one in my family will know or perhaps care.
Comment by James Ingram — March 17, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
I too am interested in finding the Morrison-Knudsen ‘blue book’. My dad, Richard S. Crenshaw, was a civilian worker on Wake and spent the war in Jap prison camps. He survived and, while he didn’t much like talking about the experience, he did tell me some of what they endoured. He died at 70 but was in pretty good health until the end, unlike some of the men which suffered health problems.
Comment by Gary Crenshaw — April 3, 2007 @ 10:35 am
My father, Wilbur Pearson, of Lewiston, Idaho, was on an M/K construction crew waiting in San Francisco to go to Wake Island, when the Japanese bombed Pearl harbor. Their two cargoe ships were immediately sent to rebuild Pearl Harbor, instead. Our family didn’t know where he was until a week or so after they arrived. It was the first time dad had missed Christmas with his family.
Comment by Will Pearson — May 30, 2007 @ 9:15 am
My Uncle Jacob Leonard Betts (Dutch) was one of the Morrison Knutsen Crew that were captured. I am Interested in the history.
Comment by Janet E Birrer — July 14, 2007 @ 8:35 am
My Uncle Lacy Franklin Tart was one of the 98 that was killed Oct.7 1943.He worked for Morrison Knutsen.I have been searching all the web sights trying to find any information.Family never heard anything.They had his name & address wrong.Uncle Lacy is from Knightdale, N.C.The War records listed him from Portland,Oregan. Did any one ON Wake Island know him.He is our hero. Were there military decorations & how can I find out.He has 2 sisters living.All these years thy have wanted to find out something & I think it is because no one knew how to contact the family.Lacy had 2 brothers in the Army & one served in the Navy during WWII.Can any one help me?The defenders of Wake Island were all hero and fought heroic for their country. God bless all. If Uncle Lacy is in the blue book ,plese email it to me. JoAnn
Comment by JoAnn Parrish — August 1, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
My great-uncle, Glen Vent, was also one of the 98 murdered on Wake (Maj Mark E. Hubb’s article fails to list him- but see http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/8/88/Wake_island_WWII_Civilian_memorial.JPG).
I have been investigating too but information is hard to come by. I have written twice to MK and they ignored both letters.
My rant: Congress has failed to pass endless legislation to provide reparations to just even survivors or widows of Wake and other areas in the SP. Ironically, the UK, Canada, Austraila and New Zealand are all paying their POWs since Japan will not.
Although the US has recently contributed millions of dollars to Americans imprisoned by Germany, our government has no interest in providing just compensation to those who suffered in the Pacific Theatre.
The families of the 98 men murdered on Wake would have been eligible to receive $1 a day for missed meals, $60 a month for civilian status, and I think $7500 for their death. However, I am curious whether any family member of the 98 ever filed a claim since the information was withheld for so many years.
Kelly
Glen Vent was hired as a contractor. He was denied military service due to flat feet. My family guesses that he was kept because he had heavy machine operating experience from his work on the Shasta Dam. He lived in Idaho but was living in Modesto, CA when he left for Honolulu on route to Wake. He took the job so that he could buy a farm.
Comment by Kelly Vent — August 20, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Regarding any military decorations, I believe there was a “Wake Island Device” – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Island_Device. An uncle in my wife’s family was also an MK contractor. He died in a camp in February 1844 at age 24.
FYI: I live near Boise and Morrison-Knudson is now Washington Group International. It’s still based in Boise. My best to everyone trying to find more information.
Comment by Todd Christensen — January 27, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
My grandfather and uncle were on Wake with M-K at the start of the war. Grandfather Frank was killed in the first few days and Uncle Harry was taked POW and died in 1955. Would be interested in anything to read about M-K guys. We have some letters from them, but that is all. Also interested in anything about the “blue book” and where we can see it.
Comment by Dan Cerny — March 16, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Hello, My name is John W. Hansen, son of Peter W. Hansen who was a Wake Island POW. My sister, Mary-Anne Stickney and I want to visit Wake Island next year. Mary-Anne has just returned from a trip to Japan where she visited the Soto Dam that our POW’s built near Sasebo and the Pine Tree Camp, Fukuoka Camp #1 where they stayed while working on the airport. This is where Dad died 21 March 1945. If anyone has any information about visiting Wake Island please email me hansenshill@isiglobal.net. Thank You. John W. Hansen
Comment by John W. Hansen — April 7, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Hello Again, just found out a little about visiting Wake Island. The Air Force Base Commander said that currently the base is in need of repair because of Typhoon Ioke. But if you are interested in visiting the Island email him at Nicholas,musgrove@hickam.af.mil with your story and he will notify us if and when the Island is able to accommodate us. John W. Hansen
Comment by John W. Hansen — April 16, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
1) Morrison-Knudson published the Blue Book for those Wake Is civilian men returning from Japan. Only the men returning received them. There have been two sold on ebay in the last year. I know of no other way to get my hands on one
2) Even though the official organization of Wake Survivors has ended. They still have a reunion each Sept in Boise ID. you can contact Alice Ingham, pandaingham@aol.com and asked to be on the list to notify.
A regular group meets monthly at one the Boise restruants for coffee.
3) Hope you who are looking for your loved ones have Googled Wake Island and found your answers. There are many websites that tell the story and much more. If you haven’t found the info you are looking for about your WAKE ISLAND man, maybe I can help.
Mary-Anne Stickney
Comment by Mary-Anne Stickney — April 29, 2008 @ 11:05 am
I am interested in any information on Leo Aloys Dressler, JR. He was my grandmother’s younger brother. He too was working as a contractor on Wake Island when he was taken POW. He lived through the ordeal but died shortly after he returned home. Doctor’s list cause of death as Post War Illness. He was only 28-years-old.
Comment by Penni Campbell — May 4, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
My Grand Father John Hickenbottom who worked at the Grand Coulee Dam also worked on Wake and was captured and survied the (Clearance Des Calmps) tourtue, he met my future unckle a Marine on the island. They fought side by side on Peacock point and were moved to Japan on the Nita Maru, they ended up in Mukden China after a stay in Japan after the war ended. I am looking for the blue book from MK also along with a copy of the book written by the Marine ground commander. Any information out there would be greatly appreciated.
Gary Hickenbotttom
Comment by Gary Hickenbottom — June 20, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
My grandfather Archie Hayes Pratt was killed on Wake. Our family has a copy of the “blue book”, one of the last ones given. We also have his POW medal from the government. I doubt reparations will ever come.
Comment by Frank Towler — July 1, 2008 @ 10:37 am
If anyone has any information about my Dad, Peter Wales Hansen, please email me at hansenshill@isiglobal.net Thank You. John W. Hansen, Son
Comment by John W. Hansen — July 8, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Stan Cohen’s History of Wake Island had on one its last pages a page of M-K booklet of those of survived/died at Wake.
Comment by P.Fazzini — July 13, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Two of my great-uncles were working for M-K on Wake Island. Both were POW’s. One, Jack Fenex, was part of the 98 men murdered on the island. The other, Elmer Christler, was a POW for four years. I am curious to see if he ever got a blue book. He died in the 1970′s.
I would love any more information you have.
Comment by Tiffany — July 27, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
I am an historian with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA. We are currently looking for civilian workers who worked on Wake Island to interivew. If you anyone knows of any survivors who are willing to speak please contact me at The National World War II Museum 945 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Attention: Thomas Naquin
Thank you!
Comment by Thomas Naquin — August 4, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
Your answers are on the internet. Google Wake Is–WWII. Next reunion of the Survivors is Oct 3,4 in Boise. Come and meet the people who have monds of information.
Write Alice Ingham 10490 Wildrose ct. Boise, ID 83704-2744 Give her your email address and she can answer.
Mary-Anne Stickney Daughter of Peter W. Hansen
Comment by Mary-Anne Stickney — August 14, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Thank you for your help Ms. Stickney! It is much appreciated!
Thomas N. Naquin
Comment by Thomas Naquin — August 27, 2008 @ 7:55 am
I had soom e-mails from people that wanted information about the 98. My computer crashed and I lost their addreses. Joe Mittendorf was my uncle and one of the 98. If I can I will be glad to answer guestions. I have Joe’s letters from the time he graduated till December 2,1941. I have his 4 medals & his Purple Heart.I have a Wig Wag, dated July, 15, 1941, also the blue book. He was a civilian that helped the Marines man a 50 cal. machine gun on Peal. before that he operated equipments.
Comment by Wayne Street — April 11, 2009 @ 5:57 am
I am trying to find out more about my grandfather who was a civilian worker on Wake Island. He evidently died of starvation as a pow on Wake. His name was Ira Boothe, and he was from Alabama. If anyone knows more, please contact me.
Comment by Cindy Preston — April 13, 2009 @ 6:42 am
WAKE ISLAND-A group of us are trying to visit Wake Island. If anyone knows how, Please contact me. John Hansen hansenshill@isiglobal.net
Comment by John W. Hansen — April 26, 2009 @ 7:58 am
Hello, my name is Michael Nguyen. I’m looking for my father, Frank Wilson. Frank was an employee of Morrison Knudson working in Vietnam during VN war. Frank was working in Chulai, Danang and Saigon Vietnam. He meet my mother Moc Nguyen in early 70s, he left Vietnam in 1972 when my mother was 6 months pregnant with me. They lost communication in 1975 until now. I came to the US and live in Portland OR since 1990, I’ve been looking for Frank ever since but had no luck. If anyone has any information about Frank Wilson or his relative, Please email me @ michaelmnguyen@hotmail.com. Please help me find my past. Thank you.
Comment by Michael Nguyen — June 14, 2009 @ 12:22 am
My father was a civillian construction worker on Wake. He did heavy welding on wake. His name was Floyd Mick. I am interested in finding out more about his time on wake. I grew up with his stories but would like to find out more about his time there. Thanks
Comment by Marguerite Mick /Buma — July 27, 2009 @ 9:12 am
I have worked for the Navy as an civilian for 28 yrs. I have been inspired by the actions of Marines,Navy and civilian personal on Wake for many years.The civilians are the first layer of the foundation of the Navy Seabees.I believe the 98 Rock should be protected from the elements.To be a reminder for future generations. I believe the Rock should be relocated to the Punch Bowl in Hawaii to lay next to the 98.It can also be covered and protected at this location.The USA brought rocks from the moon so I believe we can move a rock from Wake.I have contacted my State Senator and he has wrote me a letter with a reply from the Department of Interior.The Department is investigating this matter at this time.I would like to hear comments from survivors or their relatives if you agree or disagree.
Comment by Tom Browder — September 12, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
My great-uncle was Claude Campbell, a civilian captured on Wake Island and dying in Japan on March 11, 1944. He is buried in the Punch Bowl National Cemetery. If anyone has info on him, please contact me. My e-mail address is douglas210 “at” yahoo “dot com.
Comment by Doug Campbell — December 13, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Message for Mr. Tom Browder. My sister, Mary-Anne Collins and I visited the Rock on 11 Dec, 2009. The Rock survived Super Typhoon Ioke where waves covered the evacuated island. I believe that the Rock should remain where it is. If a copy of the Rock was placed at the Punch Bowl, I feel that would be fine. John W. Hansen, son of Peter Wales Hansen, Wake Defender. hansenshill@isiglobal.net.
Comment by John W. Hansen — February 27, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
If my Uncle William Gerdin were alive, I think he would want the Rock to remain where it is on Wake. All one has to do is to visit the Punch Bowl in Hawaii and you will be over whelmed. I welcome any additional information anyone may have. I will never forget the 98. My email: michael.gerdin@us.army.mil
Comment by Michael Gerdin — March 3, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
Mr. John Hansen and Mr. Michael Gerdin. I thank you and respect for your input. My concerns about the 98 Rock is protection, not necessarily moving it to the Punch Bowl. Although moving it will provide the best protection. I am concerned about the exposure to the elements and the effects in the far future. Visiting the Rock do you think a protecting cover would help protect it? e-mail tomb12345@live.com
Comment by Tom Browder — March 4, 2010 @ 9:51 am
My dad’s best friend, Al Husen, was a civilian working for Morrison Knudsen at Wake Island. All I know is that he was a POW and died at a camp in Japan. If anyone has any information on him I would appreciate passing it along.
Comment by Brian Fischer — March 24, 2010 @ 11:57 am
My father, Frank (Curley) Mace, was with Morrison Knudsen Company at Wake Island. He was with a group that was shipped out as a prisoner of war on the Nita Maru. After they reached Yokohama, a group of prisoner’s (including my Dad) continued on to Shanghai, Chian. From there my Dad and others were shipped off to Osaka, Japan; and remained there until the end of the war. I remember as a child making the trip to Boise, ID for POW family picnics, and sitting around in groups listening too many Fathers tell their stories too all of us. My Dad will turn 93 in May of this year, and too this day he is still troubled with the memories of what he and so many others endured as prisoner’s of the Japanese. My feeling regarding the Memorial Rock, is it should stay on Wake Island. Protecting it would be great. When you read the article of the 85 ‘Surviovros’ Return to Wake Island it says– “Last month, a group of 85 special guests known as he Wake Island Defenders and Surviovors returned to the island for the first time in 44 years. It was a time to remember the fighting and their eventual internment at POWs and to show their wives and families where it all began.” The article ends saying ” Wake Island was a land of heroes. For the brave and devastating losses they inflicted on the Japanese, it gave our country a lift it needed following the attach on Hawaii military installations.” Why would anyone want to move the rock from this historical place. Let us protect the rock as so many lives protected the Good Ole USA. email: sarajoes@stjohncable.com
Comment by Sara DeLong — April 14, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
My Great-Uncle Carleton Church was one of th “98″ who remained on Wake Island, anyone with information about him, and anyone who can send a copy of the blue book (even a zerox copy), kindly contact me at philipmillard@hotmail.com. Please put Wake Island in the subject line.
I think the 98 rock should remain on Wake Island, and possibly a copy installed in the Punch Bowl.
Comment by Phil Millard — April 16, 2010 @ 11:11 am
I thank you for all the comments about protecting the Rock.I contacted my state Senator Lindsey Graham about a year ago.I have received several letters from him and the Dept. of Interior.The last one referred me to an Air Force officer in the Pentagon.The Air Force is responsible for protection.I have been waiting for comments before I send a letter.I am sending my request to the Pentagon in about a week.I will forward this web site to him to review the comments.Ms. Sara Delong you have changed my opinion about moving the Rock.I will only ask for protection. If anyone whats to send a personal letter in support of protection feel free to email for the P.O.C. information. e-mail tomb12345@live.com
Comment by Tom Browder — April 23, 2010 @ 9:33 am
My father passed away almost three years ago with few stories he shared from WWII. He would not speak of much at all, sounds typical of the employees of Morrison Knudsen. My father was an employee of Morrison Knudsen and lost contact with his wife and two sons during the war and when he returned, found himself divorced and his sons adopted by another man. All of this caused by his lack of contact while gone during the war and working for Morrison. He received a letter a year after his death from the U.S. Government thanking him for his service during WWII, this was two years ago and it was sent to my mothers address. could he have been a P.O.W. and never told the family about this?? Is this why he could not contact his family at that time?? Now I wonder and would like to know how I could find out if he was on the P.O W. list. It is too late to speak to him now that he is deceased. Can anyone on this site help me with this knowledge and lack of information?
I want to leave my email address for contact purposes. 3327deals@gmail.com Thanks
Comment by Debra Hall — May 22, 2010 @ 11:24 pm
My Great Grandpa Walter A. Keyes was a construction worker on Wake when he was in his 50s. He survived the war and lived to raise my father. I knew him when I was a young child. We have locks of hair and a wax head from some of his closest friends from his POW times. He used the mouthpiece of a trumpet to play taps when they got the news in camp that the president was dead. One of our prized possessions is the telegram from the Empire of Japan saying that he was coming home. I would love to see any info on him from the blue book. The stories of his courage are going to be passed down forever in our family. Please feel free to contact me with any info you may have, especially if you have access to the blue book. the.earl.fam@gmail.com
Comment by Melissa Earl — June 21, 2010 @ 12:13 pm