Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Robert Wyatt Granston Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Supply Corps, USS Oriskany (CV / CVA 34)
- Location of Service: United States; Philippines; Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/2441
Fulfilling a lifelong dream of serving in the Navy, Captain Robert Granston accepted his commission in August of 1940, and was eventually assigned to the Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines. There, he weathered the Japanese attack on December 10, 1941, three days after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Evacuating first to Bataan and then to Corregidor, he was captured and taken to Cabanatuan Prison Camp. He served on work details, first on a farm and then cutting wood, which were a “godsend” in keeping him active and passing the time. After surviving the “death ships” of Oryoku Maru and Enoura Maru--ships transporting American prisoners of war, unidentified as such, that were bombed by the Allies--he was finally liberated in August 1945. His collection also includes a letter written to his fiancée, Norma, from the hospital ship the USS Refuge, on September 9, 1945, in which he describes the overwhelming feelings of being alive, free, and headed home. One month and one day after his release from prison camp, he and Norma were married.
Robert Wyatt Granston Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayBombing of Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines on December 10, 1941; initial fear; training kicked in; shock of attack. 00:04:41.0 - 00:10:11.5
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PlayEvacuation to Bataan, then to Corregidor; observing McArthur’s departure; realizing he would not be able to get out of Corregidor; capture; marched to Bilibid Prison in Manila; then transported by truck to Cabanatuan Prison. 00:11:10.2 - 00:15:57.4
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PlayEndless feeling of days; believing at first that rescue was imminent; realizing they would have to survive one day at a time. 00:15:57.5 - 00:17:51.8
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PlayImportance of friendships and cooperation to survival. 00:27:39.7 - 00:30:00.7
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PlayNever questioning whether or not the US would win the war; drawing on history of good nutrition; fortunate not to get amoebic dysentery or malaria, lowest weight was 102 pounds. 00:33:29.6 - 00:36:37.1
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PlayHow he passed the time; work detail helped with that; discussions of food; fellow prisoners. 00:37:32.2 - 00:41:14.3
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PlayTransport by ships; bombed by Allies; transported to Korea; liberation. 00:02:13.9 - 00:06:01.1
About this Item
Title
- Robert Wyatt Granston Collection
Names
- Jeanne Strand
- William P. Ryan
- Granston, Robert Wyatt
- Kent, Judith
- National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
- Flagler County Public Library
State of Birth
- WA
Home State
- FL
Headings
- - Granston, Robert Wyatt
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- Veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Supply Corps, USS Oriskany (CV / CVA 34)
- Location of Service: United States; Philippines; Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1940-1968
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Military Status: Veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Reference copy (collected 10/08/2002)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 10/08/2002)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- (collected 1945)
- Computer File: Floppy Disk [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 10/08/2002)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/2441
Cite as
- Robert Wyatt Granston Collection (AFC/2001/001/2441), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text
- image