A Study in Valor: The Faith of a Bataan Death March Survivor

by William T. Garner

Many books have been written about the Bataan Death March, but few have described the deep faith of the heroic men who experienced the horrors of that march. Among the survivors was Clarence Bramley. Tall and lean, he enlisted during World War II with dreams of flying P-40 fighter planes. But the reality of war often dashes young men's dreams. While waiting for the results of his pilot exams, his squadron was ordered to the Philippines where he serviced the very planes he was hoping to fly. Then in the spring of 1942, the islands fell to the Japanese. During the years that followed, Bramley experienced the brutal Death March, incarceration in the Philippines and Taiwan, nightmarish weeks on a Japanese Hell Ship, and forced labor in a prison camp at Kosaka, Japan. He suffered disease and brutality and witnessed the agonizing deaths of close friends and comrades - but he never lost faith in God.

Genres: Nonfiction

198 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published June 7, 2010

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man was a ward member, neighbor, and family friend. I grew up hearing this story. Clarence Bramley was one of the greatest people I have ever met. This book just a confirmation of the man I knew.

[WilliamGracia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I and my family have known Clarence Bramely for years. He signed his book for me and my family. I learned that he made an American flag while being captive with his own parachute. I also learned that Clarence Bramely ate a python and had malaria.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter's favorite thing about summer is attending an annual Youth For Freedom conference (http://youthforfreedom.org/acd/). Among other things, each session includes a pre-conference recommended reading list. This book needs to be added to that list. The conference counselors take on the names of great people they have read about. Clarence Bramley, the subject of this book, would be someone worth emulating.

Why?

He was an ordinary young man, but when thrust into horrific and challenging circumstances beyond his control he remained firm in his faith and good will.

Furthermore, his experiences are all but forgotten by this generation. We are so quick to judge those who came before us by today's script. Reading this book brings some understanding, as well as enables us to see how far the nations involved have had to travel to be where they are now.

If teens and their teachers and parents were to read more books like this, about more people like this, what would change? It would require an exercise in refocusing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_D...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cfk1I...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_ship
http://www.hellshipsmemorial.com/
http://www.archives.gov/publications/...
http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us...

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was written by my cousin who is an amazing man! It was written about a family friend who was a prisoner of war in WWII. He survived the Bataan Death March and years of confinement and did it with such a positive attitude and with faith in God which, I believe, helped save his life. It is such a great reminder of the many great men who sacrificed so much so that we may enjoy our freedom today. It is a quick easy read and I would recommend it to everyone.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I echo what the author said at the end of the book... "It's difficult to imagine that there is anyone who will not be touched and inspired by reading this factual account of a real American hero." It is so amazing what the soldiers in the Bataan Death March had to endure. Reading the experiences of a survivor, Clarence Bramley, was very inspiring and eye-opening. I know the author from church and I think he did a great job telling this hero's story. I would recommend it to everyone.

[Tamlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject of this book lives in my area, and his story is amazing. Unfortunately the writing style of this book fell short of my expectations.