PBA Galleries

With: 2-page letter, dated June 22-1942, with approved Japanese censor rubberstamp on top. “Have just received word that you are safe although a prisoner of war of Japan. I cannot express my feelings in knowing that you are alive…I can look forward to seeing you again some time. I have been given to understand that it is possible for us to exchange letters…Am not permitted to say much as I believe the censor is very strict…I am keeping heads up…I also want you to keep chin up because this will not last forever and someday there may be peace…The old town is growing by leaps & bounds…Jim Phelan is going to coach St. Mary’s [Football]. Stanford has Swartz…Keep up the old spirit son.. I know you have it…Best Love, Dad.” * And, 2 letters on official printed & folding War Department POW Post, dated July 22 & August 12, 1945. Postmarked, censor rubberstamp, etc. Printed information gives instructions, such as “limit mail to Japan to 24 words; type or block print only; do not write in script” etc. Together, 3 folding letters.

Captain Gordon Pollard (1914-2004) and his crewmates were attacked by a Japanese seaplane in the South Pacific aboard the unarmed SS Malama on January 1, 1942 (just weeks after Pearl Harbor). Those who survived were captured by Japanese raiders Aikoku Maru and Hokoku Maru and taken as prisoners of war and sent to Shanghai, China. They spent the next three years and nine months herded about to various Japanese prison camps. Two of the crew died working in the coal mines at the Hakodate prison camp. The others were released as WWII ended. Pollard was born in San Francisco and raised in Vallejo, California.