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WWII Vet Former POW is He a Prisoner Again?
By 1a2b | May 17, 2010
I don’t write a lot about personal issues but this is about a man who fought for our freedom and in the end is losing his.
the 159th Platoon U.S.M.C San Diego 1941
James S. Kroptavich spent 44 months in a Japanese prison camp after his unit the 159th Platoon U.S.M.C San Diego, was captured on Wake Island. December 23,1941. He now thinks He is the last one alive from his unit. At 91 he may be right.
The Battle of Wake Island began simultaneously with the Attack on Pearl Harbor and ended on December 23, 1941, with the surrender of the American forces to the Empire of Japan.
It has been almost 65 years since he was released from the prison camp named Tok-04B-Naoetsu. Since then married raised 3 children and lived a rather unassuming life. The kind of life most of us hope to have.
JamesSKroptavich1941
In February the last of his children passed away. His son a Vietnam vet himself was helping to take care of his father. The state services came in and took control of him and his wife Millie so they wouldn’t harm themselves. They took control of both their finances and care without even contacting the rest of the family The representative sealed up his home took him out and put him into a nursing home at his expense of course.
The State has him diagnosed with dementia but I haven’t seen it in him but maybe its because I’m not a doctor. Wait… I am a doctor. But I’m not his doctor. He was confused right after the death of his son but the state came in before he could even grieve the loss of his son.
My life partner is James’ niece and never heard about the court proceedings until a day after a court appointed a representative to handle his financial and living care. His niece was initially granted only supervised visits. Then was allowed to visit on her own but still can’t take them out to dinner or take them to the store to buy proper fitting clothing.
Now that the state is taking care of his health and welfare, little things like his reading glasses from his (sealed) home were a struggle to get.
Memorial Day is coming up soon. When we honor those solders who have fallen in the service of their country. I feel that men like Jim Kroptavich are national treasures in themselves. Men who sacrificed all out for our freedom. A freedom he enjoyed himself until last Feburary.
If you are proud of the freedom you have in this country send Jim a card and just say Hi. Let him know he has friends. He has his glasses now.
Jim Kroptavich c/o
Trinity Mission Health & Rehab
46 North Midland Boulevard,
Nampa, ID 83651-2145
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3 Responses to “WWII Vet Former POW is He a Prisoner Again?”
Comments
May 17th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robb Markley, Dr Robb. Dr Robb said: Memorial Day Coming Up. Read about my personal bout with freedom. http://bit.ly/d4nP0o [...]
May 17th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dr Robb, Robb Markley. Robb Markley said: WWII Vet Former POW is He a Prisoner Again? http://bit.ly/bKWr5j [...]
May 19th, 2010 at 8:53 am
[...] WWII Vet Former POW is He a Prisoner Again? [...]