WWII POW Honored By Family, Officials
(Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)
TRIBUTE: Hayes Bolitho (right) receives an American Flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol, and other memorabilia from Congressman Louie Gohmert (left) at a celebration of his life on Saturday at Holly Lake Chapel.
By CINDY MALLETTE
Staff Writer
HOLLY LAKE — Born on Dec. 22, 1917, Hayes H. Bolitho is older than Band-aids, traffic signals, television and fortune cookies.
But his long life hasn’t been dependent on good fortune; the World War II veteran and prisoner of war credits God for the many blessings he’s experienced, and on Saturday, friends, family, church members and politicians gathered at Holly Lake Chapel to celebrate his miraculous life.
In April 1941, when London streets were under heavy bombardment and the United States was reaching the cusp of war, Bolitho went to the recruiting office in Butte, Mont. and signed up for the Army Air Corps.
Within a year, Bolitho would have survived a plane crash in the Philippines and found himself captive to invading Japanese forces.
During the months of captivity, Bolitho and his fellow Americans took every opportunity to subvert their captors, sabotage Japanese resources and assert their allegiance to the United States.
Rep. Louie Gohmert praised Bolitho’s faith in the face of almost certain death.
“I love the Lord, because you called to him and he listened to you, and we are so grateful because you’ve been so wonderful to this community,” Gohmert said.
After suffering lack of food, abuse and disease in the decrepit POW camp, the Allied prisoners were crammed onto a boat — 500 per cargo hold — destined for another camp in another part of the country. The men had to take turns sitting, and Bolitho said fear discouraged them from doing anything but praying.
“That’s all our captors couldn’t keep us from doing,” he said.
On Sept. 7, an American torpedo struck the unmarked vessel three times, and in a panic, the Japanese guards began throwing grenades and firing machine guns at the prisoners. Bolitho escaped through one of the torpedo holes and swam, under a flurry of bullets, to a beach about two miles away.
Only 83 of 750 men survived.
It was a moment on which Bolitho didn’t want to focus, but one for which everyone in his family and community would be forever-thankful.
Bolitho’s courage touched the heart of Justin Lee, a representative from Rep. Jeb Hensarling’s office, who has also served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“When I read his biography, I was astounded,” Lee said. “He left a proud legacy that I could emulate.”
State Rep. Brian Hughes also offered thanks to Bolitho, and a resolution honoring Bolitho’s birthday in the state of Texas.
“I certainly enjoy the freedom of choices I have because of people like you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
The greatest praise, however, came from Bolitho’s daughters and grandchildren, who praised his service as a family man.
“The reason my mom is such an incredible person is because she has incredible parents,” said his grandson, Christopher Herron.
Only one of Bolitho’s daughters, Judy Herron, was able to attend the celebration, but she echoed the praise of her son.
“I have told my parents that if we weren’t related and they lived on my street, I’d choose them for friends,” Mrs. Herron said. “I love my parents, but I also appreciate them as people and not many people can say that about their parents.”
Staff Writer
HOLLY LAKE — Born on Dec. 22, 1917, Hayes H. Bolitho is older than Band-aids, traffic signals, television and fortune cookies.
But his long life hasn’t been dependent on good fortune; the World War II veteran and prisoner of war credits God for the many blessings he’s experienced, and on Saturday, friends, family, church members and politicians gathered at Holly Lake Chapel to celebrate his miraculous life.
In April 1941, when London streets were under heavy bombardment and the United States was reaching the cusp of war, Bolitho went to the recruiting office in Butte, Mont. and signed up for the Army Air Corps.
Within a year, Bolitho would have survived a plane crash in the Philippines and found himself captive to invading Japanese forces.
During the months of captivity, Bolitho and his fellow Americans took every opportunity to subvert their captors, sabotage Japanese resources and assert their allegiance to the United States.
Rep. Louie Gohmert praised Bolitho’s faith in the face of almost certain death.
“I love the Lord, because you called to him and he listened to you, and we are so grateful because you’ve been so wonderful to this community,” Gohmert said.
After suffering lack of food, abuse and disease in the decrepit POW camp, the Allied prisoners were crammed onto a boat — 500 per cargo hold — destined for another camp in another part of the country. The men had to take turns sitting, and Bolitho said fear discouraged them from doing anything but praying.
“That’s all our captors couldn’t keep us from doing,” he said.
On Sept. 7, an American torpedo struck the unmarked vessel three times, and in a panic, the Japanese guards began throwing grenades and firing machine guns at the prisoners. Bolitho escaped through one of the torpedo holes and swam, under a flurry of bullets, to a beach about two miles away.
Only 83 of 750 men survived.
It was a moment on which Bolitho didn’t want to focus, but one for which everyone in his family and community would be forever-thankful.
Bolitho’s courage touched the heart of Justin Lee, a representative from Rep. Jeb Hensarling’s office, who has also served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“When I read his biography, I was astounded,” Lee said. “He left a proud legacy that I could emulate.”
State Rep. Brian Hughes also offered thanks to Bolitho, and a resolution honoring Bolitho’s birthday in the state of Texas.
“I certainly enjoy the freedom of choices I have because of people like you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
The greatest praise, however, came from Bolitho’s daughters and grandchildren, who praised his service as a family man.
“The reason my mom is such an incredible person is because she has incredible parents,” said his grandson, Christopher Herron.
Only one of Bolitho’s daughters, Judy Herron, was able to attend the celebration, but she echoed the praise of her son.
“I have told my parents that if we weren’t related and they lived on my street, I’d choose them for friends,” Mrs. Herron said. “I love my parents, but I also appreciate them as people and not many people can say that about their parents.”
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