Return to freedom : the war memoirs of Col. Samuel C. Grashio, USAF (Ret.) / by Samuel C. Grashio and Bernard Norling ; [maps, Scott Greenawalt]
Title
Return to freedom : the war memoirs of Col. Samuel C. Grashio, USAF (Ret.) / by Samuel C. Grashio and Bernard Norling ; [maps, Scott Greenawalt]
Subject
Grashio, Samuel C.
Prisoners of war--Philippines--Biography.
Prisoners of war--United States--Biography.
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese.
Description
Personal account of an American fighter pilot with the 21st Pursuit Squadron.
In the early days of World War II, he flew missions in a P-40 fighter against the vastly superior Japanese Zero fighter. With the loss of P-40s (by being shot down, destroyed on the ground, or overuse), Grashio, like his other squadron mates, became an infantryman and fought in Bataan. He was one of those who surrendered in April 1942, suffered the ordeal of the Death March, and prison camp (Camp O’Donnell, Davao Penal Colony). He was one of ten Americans (and two Filipinos) to successfully escape from the camp, aided by guerrillas. He was evacuated to Australia by submarine and returned to the U.S., where he was banned from telling his story in public for several months. He sought to get attention and help for his fellow prisoners of war who had stayed in the Philippines. After the war, Grashio decided to continue in the air force.
Grashio tells his story in graphic detail, assisted by the history professor, Norling, who provided the historical background, context and notes.
In the early days of World War II, he flew missions in a P-40 fighter against the vastly superior Japanese Zero fighter. With the loss of P-40s (by being shot down, destroyed on the ground, or overuse), Grashio, like his other squadron mates, became an infantryman and fought in Bataan. He was one of those who surrendered in April 1942, suffered the ordeal of the Death March, and prison camp (Camp O’Donnell, Davao Penal Colony). He was one of ten Americans (and two Filipinos) to successfully escape from the camp, aided by guerrillas. He was evacuated to Australia by submarine and returned to the U.S., where he was banned from telling his story in public for several months. He sought to get attention and help for his fellow prisoners of war who had stayed in the Philippines. After the war, Grashio decided to continue in the air force.
Grashio tells his story in graphic detail, assisted by the history professor, Norling, who provided the historical background, context and notes.
Creator
Grashio, Samuel C.
Norling, Bernard
Publisher
Tulsa, Okla. : MCN Press, c1982
Date
1982
Format
24 x 16 cm.
Type
Hardbound
Identifier
912958200
Call Number
D 805 .P6 G73 1982
Accession Number
14046
Pagination
vii, 166 P., [120] plates
Illustration
ill., maps
Files
Collection
Citation
Grashio, Samuel C. and Norling, Bernard, “Return to freedom : the war memoirs of Col. Samuel C. Grashio, USAF (Ret.) / by Samuel C. Grashio and Bernard Norling ; [maps, Scott Greenawalt],” FHL-Roderick Hall, accessed December 6, 2025, https://fhl.omeka.net/items/show/666.