Robert Maxwell Blattman (1916-1961)
From Blattman genealogy
| Robert Maxwell Blattman (1916-1961) | |
|---|---|
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| Born | August 25, 1916 Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico |
| Died | April 15, 1961 Walsenburg, Huerfano County, Colorado |
| Resting place | Masonic Cemetery, Walsenburg County, Colorado |
| Father | Thomas Blattman |
| Mother | Leila Beatrice Carr |
Robert Maxwell Blattman: the second child of Thomas Blattman and Leila Beatrice Carr, Robert Maxwell, was born in 1916. SSgt Robert Blattman served with B Battery 1st Battalion 200th Coast Artillery as a medic. He was one of the galiant defenders of the Philippine Islands in the opening days of World War II. After the surrender of Bataan on 9 April 1942, Blattman would spend 3-1/2 years as a prisoner of war.[1]
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Leaving Fort Bliss
"August 23rd, 1941, left Fort Bliss on my way to the Philippine Islands. Arrived in San Francisco on the 25th. Stayed at Angel Island 2 days then sailed and arrived in the Philippines on the 17th of Sept.[2] Went from there to Stotsenber."
Surrender of Bataan
"About the 22nd we set up and waited. War then started on the 8th of Dec. We fought from then until the surrender of Bataan which occurred on the 9th of April. I then made the March to prison Camp O'Donnell. Stayed there nearly a month then went on a work detail. I worked on this detail for 25 days when I ate good and gained some weight. I then went to prison Camp Cabanatuan arriving there on the 25th (approximately) of June. I worked there for nearly a month then contracted dysentery and was sent to the hospital. I stayed in the hospital for 14 months then wenet back to work and worked until lI was sent to Japan which was on the 4th of August 1944.[3] I then worked there until we were released or rather until the war was over which was on the 15th of August 1945. I then waited there in the Camp until Sept. the 13th when the Amer. Took over. I left that camp on the 16th of Sept. and went by train to Nagasaki where I got on the ship and sailed to Okinawa. Stayed there for 4 days then flew to Manila and stayed at the 29the replacement center until the 9th of Oct. when I sailed for Seattle, Wash.[4] I arrived in Seattle on the 27th of Oct. Went from there to the Madigan Hospital at Tacoma. Arrived at the hospital on the 28th. Left there Thursday the 1st. I got on the hospital train and we pulled out at 2 o-clock (the First)."
Arriving back in Santa Fe
"Arrived in Santa Fe on the 4th of Nov. Stayed in town that nite. Then on the 5th, caught a ride on in to Hollman arriving here at 3 o clock that afternoon. I stayed here that nite the next day and nite then went to Ocate seeing Grandad and the rest of the family there. The same evening Uncle Henry brought me back to Wagon Mound where Sy Schmidt was waiting for me. Sy and I then went to his place where I stayed until Friday evening. Sy and his boys went hunting then so I came to Wagon Mount and from there I went on to Grandad's at Ocate. I stayed with him until Sunday when Grady came up. I went with Grady to his place at Watrous staying there until Tuesday the 13th. Junior then took me to Las Vegas and I caught a ride then to Santa Fe. I stayed that nite with Ben Manzanares in town with some of his relatives.[5] We went to the hospital the next day. I got a 45 day furlough starting the 30th of Nov. I stayed in Santa Fe until the 2nd of Dec. when I came to Las Vegas arriving there at noon." "I went to the bus depot and found my mother and sister, who had just arrived from Idaho there. I stayed with them that day and came on up here to Hollman that nite. I have been staying here occasionally going to Las Vegas for an evening. Friday the 7th I went to Las Vegas to a servicemen's dance. Had a good time and met different people. Mother and Alice came to town Sat. and we all came on out there that night." SGT. ROBERT M. BLATTMAN. born Aug. 1916 200th CA. Bat. B. POW Camp No. 1 Tokyo. Liberated Sept. 1945
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