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On Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked the Philippines. Scotty Satterwhite was captured at Corregidor Harbor in Manilla Bay and became a Prisoner of War on May 7, 1942. He was held under inhuman conditions for three and a half years until Oct. 9, 1945. He was first reported Missing in Action on June 10, 1942. Satterwhite survived the horrific Bataan Death March. Thousands died during the march. The purpose of the march was to move 72,000 prisoners of war from the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula to Camp O’Donnell, “Camp Rokuroshi,” in the north. The prisoners had to march under horrific conditions in intense heat, no water, little or no food, no toileting, deadly circumstances for about 55 to 66 miles depending on where they joined. Then they were jammed into a stifling hot boxcar on the railroad followed by another march of about seven or eight miles to the camp. The grueling march took about five to ten days. Those who fell behind were bayoneted, shot, or beheaded. Some were buried alive or beaten to death. Many more died at the camp.Satterwhite was imprisoned at Camp O’Donnell also known as Camp Rokuroshi while in the Philippines and in Osaka Main Camp, Chikko Osaka, Japan. Osaka is about thirty miles from Kyoto.
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in Action near Geary Point, Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippine Islands, Jan. 1, 1942, Coast Artillery Corps. Wounded in Action Three Purple Hearts for wounds received in action Philippine Islands March 15, 1942, First Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart Philippine Islands, April 18, 1942, Second Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart, April 20, 1942.
He was a Lieutenant Colonel when released.
Charlene Hanson Jordan wrote the above narrative as the latest in a weekly column based on new research which does not appear in her books. A longer and more detailed version of this story will appear in Charlene Jordan’s soon-to-be launched Patreon website. Ask for details at charlenehansonjordan@ yahoo.com.
Her latest book, “NOTES & RECOLLECTIONS, Post Oak Island & Elgin, Texas, is available at the Elgin Depot Museum where exhibits, photographs, and books on local history are also available. The museum is open on Fridays & Saturdays from noon to 4pm and during Sip, Shop, and Stroll on the first Thursday of each month. Watch for notices.
“Notes & Recollections” may be purchased from the Niswanders at the Elgin Farmers Market, Veterans Memorial Park.
The book is also available at the Elgin Courier office, 105 N. Main Street, Elgin, 512-285-3333 during business hours all week or from Charlene directly at at charlenehansonjordan@ yahoo.com or 512-856-2562.
