Wainwright is ‘grateful’
GEN. MACARTHUR’S HQ, Yokohama (AP, Sept. 1) – Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, gaunt but trim in a new bemedaled battle-jacket, today expressed his “deep, heartfelt gratitude” to the American people for their understanding of the circumstances of his surrender at Corregidor.
“This belief that America did understand my situation was my chief comfort and consolation during my three years of captivity,” he told a press conference in the lobby of Yokohama’s finest hotel.
“Circumstances over which I had no control forced my surrender to Homma [Japanese Gen. Masaharu Homma],” he said.
Wainwright, who arrived at Yokohama Friday from a Manchurian prison camp, via Chungking and Manila, said he was particularly delighted at taking part in Japan’s formal surrender at the invitation of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
“Because the last time, I was on the catching end of the line, and now I am on the pitching end,” he said.
Also on MacArthur’s invitation, Wainwright brought with him his Corregidor officers to witness the capitulation ceremonies. These are Brig. Gen. John R. Pugh of Washington, D.C., and Lt. Col, Thomas Dooley of McKinney, Texas, aides, and M/Sgt. Hubert Carroll of Paris, Texas, the general’s orderly.
They were present with Wainwright during the Philippine surrender at the village of Cabcaben on Bataan Peninsula, and were interned first at Formosa and then at Mukden, Manchuria, 150 miles from the prisoner-of-war camp where the general was held.
The three-star general expressed deep gratitude for President Roosevelt’s “belief in me.”
He said that when he arrives at Washington in a few days, he would call immediately on Mrs. Roosevelt “to tell her what it has been my long-cherished desire to tell the late President.”