The Japanese attack on Clark Field in the Philippines, the fight for Bataan, the Bataan Death March, Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan, the 'Hell Ship' Tottori Maru, Korea, Manchuria, Mukden -- Billy Templeton was there. A participant, a captive, a witness to history, Billy tells his story in MANILA BAY SUNSET: THE LONG MARCH INTO HELL -- Now Available!
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"It began with a grand adventure – an historical flight from California to Hawaii and then on to the Philippines. I was a radio operator on a B-17 Flying Fortress. By 1941 standards, the bomber was an incredible piece of machinery, a proud symbol of American engineering prowess and military might. I was young. Everything was new and exciting. I remember the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the different peoples we encountered as we hopped from island to island, the strange food – the exotic tropical landscapes. At every stop along the way, I saw preparations for war. Pearl Harbor teemed with ships and sailors. Hickam Field buzzed with airplanes coming and going. Marines were stationed at Midway. A submarine base was under construction at Wake Island. Our mission was to join the U.S. Army Forces Far East in the Philippines, to defend American interests in the region. In November 1941, we landed at Clark Field sixty miles from Manila, determined to do just that. Little did I know how soon the adventure would turn into an ugly nightmare of hunger, horror and imprisonment that would last from the very first day of World War II until liberation in the fall of 1945. It didn’t just happen to me, of course. There were thousands of us – but this is my personal story." ~ Billy D. Templeton, 2006
Clark Field, Luzon, The Philippines -- December 8, 1941 |
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PRAISE FOR MANILA BAY SUNSET [click on links for entire text of review] "Billy believes his experiences are a 'footnote in history'. He's much too modest. They are the history of our country's proud heritage. He is wise for the rest of us when he says 'every endeavor has its price'. As we, of following generations, carry his torch, he vividly reminds us of the sacrifices and heroism of his buddies who didn't come home. Their children, and all of us enjoying freedom, are forever in Billy's debt." ~ Col. Jerome E. Hughes, USAF (Ret.) "As a civilian internee of the Japanese during World War II in the Philippines, I found Billy Templeton's book a credible depiction of despicable hell-on-earth" ~ Betsy Herold Heimke "Mr. Templeton’s story stands as a triumph of one human being over the inhuman acts of others. Although it chronicles a personal victory, it stands as something more, a victory of the human spirit over evil. Although perhaps not meant to be, this book is inspirational, a story nearly as inspiring as the man himself." ~ Ken Kreckel, Author of "The Rommel Mission" and "Rocked By Murder" "Manila Bay Sunset - A powerful story of the human spirit's will to survive and over coming unspeakable hardship and cruelty. Billy takes us through his capture as a young airman on the Bataan Peninsula during the earliest moments of WWII until his repatriation in Manchuria. A first hand account of history that should not be forgotten!" ~ Gary Doss - author of "Tails of an Ugly Angel" "A terrific story of how an Iowa farm boy's great adventure as a radio operator on the "Flying Fortress", the world's most advanced and capable fighting weapon in the era leading up to World War II, turns into an ordeal...when he is taken prisoner by the Japanese." ~ William T. Wright "Manila Bay Sunset is a moving story of survival and personal triumph. I am thankful and appreciative that my Uncle Bill was willing to revisit memories long ago relegated to the back of his mind in order to provide us with the story of sufferng and inhumane treatment that he lived through. It gave me insight into his being and provided me with an understand of how he developed into a man with distinguished character, strength and integrity." ~ Pat Waller "Billy Templeton writes a riveting and totally absorbing story of his many experiences as a young enlisted man in World War II. We are transported into a different time and place of which we have heard too little of the horrifying details." ~ Phyllis Dunn, civilian prisoner of the Japanese at Santo Tomas Internment Camp |
Billy Templeton Today "Billy Templeton has written a fine piece in his book, Manila Bay Sunset: The Long March into Hell. In it, he changes from a kid in Iowa dreaming of flying machines to a survivor of the Bataan Death March. The narrative embroils you in his journey, wrapping readers in both the trauma of war and the miracle of survival. It's a great read." ~ Mindy Philips Lawrence, author "One Blue Star", co-author of "The Complete Writer: A Guide to Tapping Your Full Potential" "There have been literally thousands of books written on WW2. Only a few are able to adequately speak to the human tragedy of American POW's Billy Templeton's Manila Bay Sunset is one of those. Billy tells of his own survival n the Bataan Death March and his experience as a slave laborer in a Japanese factory. This is a part of American history that should never be forgotten." ~ Eddie R Beesley CPL USMC ret, Vietnam Veteran and author of "Lucky Enough" "Manila Bay Sunset leaves the reader's heart racing as it evokes a generation's feelins of fear, dread and hope during THEIR war, WWII. Thank you, Billy!" ~ Mary Pritchett "Billy’s story is an amazing one and at the end, you wonder how he ever survived through all the atrocities and the death and disease that surrounded him. It’s a grim reminder of what can happen in this world, a highly recommended read of a piece of history." ~ Dan Murr, Author, Historian -- www.danlmurr.4mg.com, The Sabbatine Privilege, The Medjugorje Encounter, The Milk Wagon, A Need to Know, We Never Said Goodbye
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Surrender!
Mukden -- Two Weeks After Liberation |
Shipping costs are: 1-3 books (0-$50) for $3.00 4-6 books ($50-100) for $7.00 and > 6 books (over $100) for free or $0.00 MO Taxes = 7.35% To Order by mail, send $15.95 per book plus shipping & taxes to: Billy D. Templeton 3635 NW Bluejacket Drive Lee's Summit, MO 64064-3017 Or Call: (816) 373-6983 Or Contact Mr. Templeton at: Or Purchase through Paypal here:
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| Mr. Templeton speaks to organizations and
schools and does book signings on a limited basis. To book Mr.
Templeton for your event, contact him at (816) 373-6983 or
BLUE3JACKET@YAHOO.COM. Mr. Templeton's Schedule: |
WWII death camp survivor compiles memories by Keri Berg |
