SOLDIER BELIEVED DEAD SENDS POST CARD FROM PRISON CAMP
A year ago Frank Albright heard that his former hired hand, Pvt. John J. Karmann, had been killed in action against the Japanese. But last week Mr. Albright received a postcard from the Japanese government, thru the neutral Swiss representatives of the International Red Cross, bearing a message from Pvt. Karmann, who said:
“In Philippine Islands, Camp No. 9. Health excellent, uninjured and everything well. Family knows about me and where I am. Please give my regards to Butch.”
Pvt. Karmann didn’t even know that Butch (Oliver Albright) had been in the Army himself, only to be sent home on an honorable medical discharge for a lung ailment contracted in the Service.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, August 16, 1943
NEWS of the MERRILL SERVICE MEN
From Merrill Service Men's News
John Joseph Karmann, who was captured by the Japs early in the war, was last heard from last fall.
Source: The LeMars Sentinel, Friday, April 14, 1944
FREED JAP CAPTIVE IS HEARD FROM
Before the war, a kid named John J. Karmann worked on various farms around Merrill, Iowa, and among his employers was Frank Albright. After the boy was in the army, Mr. Albright used to write to him, and occasionally sent him copies of The Globe-Post, just to keep him “right and early” on local happenings.
But after the fall of Corregidor, Pfc. John Karmann was not heard from again. Today, however, Mr. Albright received the following letter dated, Sept. 12:
“Dear Friend Frank: I am at last a free man again, and I can write to whom and whatever I want. I hope you are feeling pretty good, and that Butch got through the war O. K.
“I was a P. O. W. in various camps in the Philippine Islands until October 1, 1944, and spent the rest of the time in a northern Formosa camp until my release on Sept. 1, 1945, by the U. S. Marines. I had been captured when Corregidor fell on May 7, 1942.
“I was given a blood transfusion (by the Marines; not the Japs) and flown by plane to Manila. At the time I weighed only 114 pounds . . . Well, I will write you more later as I get my health back. I am very sick and weak. The main thing is to let you know I am still alive, and hope to see you in a few months.
_ _ _Affectionately your friend, Pfc. John J. Karmann, 312 General Hospital, APO 75, Manila, P. I. “
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, October 1, 1945
WWII American & Allied Prisoners of War
Source: ancestry.com
Obituary: John Joseph Karmann was born May 14, 1911, to John J. and Emma Wainseatt Karmann. He died Nov. 28, 1965, and is buried in the Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO.
He was a member of the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment, Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays and became a POW of the Japanese at Taiwan Camp #1 (Taihoku), Formosa 25-121.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Aug. 9, 1943 “Webster City’s Honor Roll” - Page 6
