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Episode #333 of Hometown Heroes, debuting 9/20/14, marks our National POW/MIA Recognition Day by sharing the stories of three ex-prisoners of war who all survived “death marches” during World War II.

Julio Barela at the New Mexico Veterans Home in 2010.

Karl Haeuser with a model of his A-20, “Mopsy.”

First up is Wild Bill Begley, a native of Hyden, KY, who was sent to the Philippines with the 34th Pursuit Squadron in November, 1941, and ended up surviving the Bataan Death March and an additional three and a half years in captivity. CLICK HERE to listen to Begley’s complete interview which aired on Hometown Heroes in 2007.

 
Up next is Julio Barela, a native of New Mexico, who served with the 200th Coast Artillery. Like Begley, he endured the brutal Bataan Death March, survived a dangerous journey to Japan on one of the infamous “hellships,” and spent the rest of the war in captivity. CLICK HERE to listen to the complete episode with Barela from 2010.

Finally, we get a taste of Karl Haeuser’s POW experience in Europe, including the German Death March. Haeuser, a native of Paso Robles, CA, was a gunner on an A-20 Havoc, shot down on his 11th mission. CLICK HERE for the complete interview with Karl.