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Corregidor: From Paradise to Hell!

by Ben Waldron with Emily Burneson

243 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-2657; ISBN 1-4120-2109-X; US$24.95, C$32.00, EUR20.80, £14.41

Captured at Corregidor, Sergeant Waldron risked his life to keep a diary of Hell: a three-and-a-half year record of life as a Japanese POW during WWII.

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about the book      about the author      reviews      catalogue info

About the Book Ben is one of those millions of young men who were children of the great depression. His narrative takes the reader through five years of his life, from 1940 to 1945. It tells of his transition from a normal naive teenager to a battle-hardened soldier fighting a losing battle on Corregidor, and then suffering the harsh, inhumane indignities heaped upon him as a prisoner of war when the Philippine Islands were surrendered to the Japanese Forces on May 6, 1942. This is a story of survival. How does one survive three and a half years as a POW under a brutal enemy? It shows how an American boy becomes a man by adjusting to a completely foreign environment, every day meeting the daily hardships, obstacles and challenges served up by the unfeeling captor. Winner of the North American Bookdealers Exchange "BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD" for 1989-90.

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About the Author Sergeant Waldron married shortly after his return to the United States. He re-enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Force until 1952 at which time he was retired on disability from the duties of Technical Sergeant. He spent the next 25 years self-employed as a "GYPO" log hauler in California. He is presently working on a book about these experiences. Sergeant Waldron currently resides in Citrus Heights, California. He claims, "I feel that I was one of the few fortunate ones to survive the prison camp life. I thank the Lord and count my blessings every day for all the simple things which make our life easy in the United States, that so many people take for granted. My comfort has no ending. Emily Waldron, the author's sister, presented him with a camera and a 5-year diary as he prepared to ship out to Corregidor. After his miraculous return, she took extensive notes about his experiences. These notes, combined with his diary, helped them bring to the world the shocking truth about really happened at Corregidor...and beyond!

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Reviews

In the SPOTLIGHT

by Judy Wiggins

Ben Waldron was one of those millions of young men who were children of the great depression. "CORREGIDOR, FROM PARADISE TO HELL!", is a true "SAGA" that takes the reader on a 5-year journey of his life...from naïve teenager to battle-hardened soldier fighting a losing battle on Corregidor in World War II...and then suffering the harsh, inhumane indignities heaped upon him as a prisoner of war when the Philippine Islands were surrendered to the Japanese.

It begins with 18 year old Ben joining the Army, and leaving his tearful girl friend and family waving as the train pulls away from the depot in his rural hometown. The book, in a conversational but spellbinding style, takes us through Ben's arrival on Corregidor, his training and promotion to Corporal, and through the intimate daily details of Ben and his Army buddies' daily lives in this "prelude to war." Things went from bad to appalling with Corregidor under siege, as Ben and his troups were taken prisoners of war. This is not reading for the faint at heart. You are taken through the hell these men suffered - - from sadistic beatings; hunger to the point of eating insects and stray dogs; to train rides and "hell ship" voyages with men packed in standing positions in their own human waste, lacking food or water for days. Only former prisoners of war could fully comprehend these hideous experiences. The very fact that Ben Waldron and a handful of others have survived such POW experiences is a tribute to them and their will power. This is one man's story, done in a heart rendering, human way. (It is impossible to read with dry eyes!) Author Ben Waldron says, "My intention in writing this book was to get all of this out of my system, hopefully eliminating my own nightmares and to experience more restful nights - - which I feel I have accomplished." He ends with saying, "I will never forget all those fine young men who sailed to the Philippines with me - - who will never know what it's like to grow old."

"CORREGIDOR, FROM PARADISE TO HELL!" is history that had to be immortalized in print for future generations to see, and has won the AMERICAN BOOKDEALERS' EXCHANGE "BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD" 1989/90.

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Dear Sergeant Waldron

On behalf of the 93d Bombardment Wing, the 1990 POW/MIA Recognition Day Committee and, most importantly, the former prisoners of war that gathered here at Castle AFB on 21 Sep 90, please accept our sincere appreciation for your speech.

Your stirring presentation "What is the Price of Freedom?" reflected the hardships endured by all of the former POWs in the audience. It also reminded our military members and their families of the sacrifices that may be necessary to ensure AmericaÕs continued freedom.

Again, thank you for attending and addressing the 1990 POW/MIA ceremony.

Sincerely
Eugene J. Famulare, Colonel, USAF
Commander

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
March 7, 1989

I have read the day to day account of life as a Prisoner of War, as described by Sgt. Ben Waldron in his manuscript. How fortunate we Americans are, Sgt Waldron risked his life to keep a diary. What he has written, he has memorialized for all time, the true cost of freedom. FREEDOM is not FREE. It is bought and paid for, by all of those young men who fought and died for OUR freedom. FREEDOM has been purchased for us by all those whose names are inscribed upon our memorial, and indelibly etched upon the memories of their families, neighbors and loved ones.

This is the most specific and detailed account of the excruciating uncertainty of life, one day at a time, that I have found. Were it not for Ben and his diary, the absolutely incomprehensible horrors which they witnessed daily, would be beyond belief.

Indeed, all veterans, especially war veterans, have helped to pay the price our FREEDOM. But among all veterans who returned, it is only the EX-PRISONER OF WAR who has paid the highest price. I am a combat infantry veteran of Vietnam. And, there among you, but for the grace of God, go I.

Jesse Orta, Executive Director
California Office of Veterans Initiatives

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Catalogue Information

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