Fifteen months after the navy department had announced that
Eddie Bahr was missing, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heinie Bahr, were notified
Saturday that he was being held as a prisoner of the Japanese.
Information came through the International Red Cross, and the war department
in Washington. According to the message received, Eddie was a prisoner
at Osaka Camp in Japan.
Eddie, a graduate of the Miller high school, enlisted in the navy as
soon as he completed his schooling. At the time of the attack on
Pearl Harbor, he was serving in the Pacific area. The last personal
message from him was written several weeks before Pearl Harbor, and he
was listed as missing in May, 1942.
Bahr is the second Hand county man known definitely to be a Japanese
prioner. Vere Morrison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Morrison, was captured
during the battle of Java, and is held by the Japanese.
Another young man well known here, Lt. Wallace Churchill of Wessington
Springs, is also a Japanese prisoner.
**********
PARENTS HAVE WORD
FROM EDWIN BAHR,
HELD BY JAPANESE
First direct word from their son, Edwin Bahr, since the official announcement
that he was being held as a Japanese prisoner, was received Monday by his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heinie Bahr.
The message was a type written card, signed with Eddie's personal signature.
The card was not the usual form card, and relatives were of the opinion
that the information had all been typed by Eddie himself.
The message stated that he was well, and that he was working every day
but Sunday, but gave no details of the nature of his work. He had
plenty to eat and wear, and had recently received a gift box from the Red
Cross. He also mentioned several items of food the prisoners of war
had been furnished and suggested other items that could be sent to him
through the Red Cross.
Seaman Bahr was listed as missing in May 1942. It was not until
more than a year later that definite information concerning his fate was
available. At that time the war department notified his parents that
he was a prisoner in the Philippines, and until his message was received
Monday, the family had had no further word from him.
**********
BAHRS HEAR FROM PRISONER SON
Letter From Edwin Bahr, Written Sept. 17, Says Health,
Treatment As Good As Could Be Expected
An unexpected, but much appreciated Christmas gift was received by Mr.
and Mrs. H. Bahr, in the form of a letter from their son Edwin, who is
a Japanese prisoner in Osaki. The letter, written in September of
this year, is the second they have had since he was reported a prisoner,
and was received by the Bahrs on Friday.
Contents of the letter were:
September 17, 1944
To: Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bahr,
Miller, So. Dak., U.S.A.
Dear Folks:
I am again given the privilege words. I have received some of
your letters, most of them two years or more old. I am still working
every day and am in fair health. The treatment is as good as can
be expected.
I would still like to receive some pictures and possibly if you can
send another box, some candy would be appreciated.
I have no time or space to say more so will close with hope that I will
see all soon.
With love, your son,
Edwin
Hand
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