WWII's USS Houston's Survivor POW Experience - As Told By John K. Schwarz

There is a heroic story to tell which depicts men of the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Asia West Pacific. It is a story of one particular U.S. warship, the USS Houston CA-30, a story of POW’s suffering horrendous hardship for 3.5 years used as slave laborers, and a story about our countries ‘Greatest Generation’. The saga of the WWII U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Houston CA-30 is one which epitomizes naval bravery in the most challenging of circumstances in service to our great nation. The story includes those who were transported to Burma to be used as slave labor assisting in the construction of the ‘Burma-Thailand Death Railway’. This entire saga was brilliantly described by the late James Hornfischer in his book, ‘Ship of Ghosts’ and somewhat depicted in the epic 1957 war movie, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’. As seen through the experience of CA-30 shipmate/survivor Otto C. Schwarz, this story will be told through the words of John Keith Schwarz. Following this special presentation, students will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session.