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Ensign James Merrill McGrath survived three of the worst sustained Japanese atrocities committed against allied POW's in the history of the war, The Hell Ships, The Bataan Death March and Prisoner of War Camp O'Donnell. Very few POW's survived one of these.

The following excerpts are from three days of this journal starting with leaving Bilibid Prison in the Philippines and ending four years later with his liberation by the Russians in China. This journal is compiled from clandestine notes that he hid from the Japanese at great risk to his life. After liberation he retraced his steps, retrieving his hidden original notes which are compiled in this journal.

A few details from his journal:

December 13, 1944 - Started to leave Bilibid prison shortly after 0800. Turned back because of air raids. Left 10:30 Saturday at pier 7 most of the afternoon while Jap. civilians and troops were getting aboard - many women and children. Port area much damaged by previous bombings. Boarded Oryoku Maru - 1619 officers and enlisted men including some British and Dutch (one Dutch officer).

December 14, 1944 - Bombed all day between Manila Bay and Subic Bay by US planes (0900 to 11 dusk). During bombings guards emptied on us in holds. Very little to eat. No water at all since yesterday and not a breath of air stirring whatsoever.

December 15th, 1944 - Ship sunk off Olongapo. 1000 to 1400 guards continuously firing into hold of POW's. Men fired at while in water swimming ashore. Major A.C. Peterson was wounded in the head. No food, arrived ashore in g-string as did most of the others. Major Nurdlinger was one of the killed. US planes did not fire after recognizing American Captain Wylie Litte Ord. Officer, headed for opposite shore. Capt. Don Hanes, 192 Tank Btn. deceased. Major Peterson's head wound assisted by Major Glassburn.

This journal spans a 9 month period of time of a 3 1/2 year journey that ends in Mukden Manchuko (Manchuria) China.