FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) Sessions

ADMIRAL JERRY STEWARD
JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR

  Freestone Co. seems to have had more than its share of former Japanese 
prisoners of war during WWII. Today there are none to my knowledge still 
living. I wonder how many could have not survived this terrible ordeal from 
our area. I can’t think of any but feel sure there were. Have tried to 
recognize each one; thanks to information in journal type article written by 
former Japanese prisoner of war US Navy Officer Jerry Steward lent me by 
Dr. J.H. Keller.
  Captain Jeremiah Steward of the Stewards Mill area is said to have always 
wanted to serve in the Navy, after receiving a Congressional Appointment to 
the Navy Academy Annapolis passing the scholastic requirement but failing 
the physical as recovering from pneumonia. Joining the Navy as an enlisted 
man he received a Commission while serving in the Philippine Islands in 
l918 and Lt. Commander in 1940. When attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 
10, l941 he was seriously injured by bomb fragments and machine gun fire 
but continued his duties until passed out and awoke in the hospital. For this 
he received the Navy Cross, shortly after he was wounded again.
  He and his wife Basilia a Philippine nurse he married in l938 were made 
prisoners of war, both spent the next 3 years in terrible prison camps without 
seeing each other until both liberated by Army Rangers and Philippine 
forces in l945. In his journal he wrote of the terrible conditions, abuse and 
neglect and starvation received from the Japanese, he weighed 269 when 
captured but only 146 when released, his wife weighed 116 when captured 
82 lbs. when released. Retired by President Truman ll/1/46 he was advanced 
to Rear Admiral.
  Although very involved with his parents and family, I never knew him until 
he and Basilia returned to Freestone Co. where he served well as our State 
Legislator.
                              ***
            Taken from         Original Sheriffs Report l969
   Freestone CO. Game Assn. meeting with man elected new president who 
recently sighting in his deer rifle fired thru barn wall killing his milk cow, 
rumored that one of directors guilty of shooting calf doing same thing. 
Departed funeral for friend with my hat missing, found on my buddy who 
trying to trade for better one. Man jailed who came home raising cane about 
two pieces of chicken left in ice box not there when he returned.
  Grand Jury impaneled with H.H. Burleson, foreman, C.E. Neal Jr. Sect., 
and members C.D. Anderson, Nathan Barnes, Hugh Bonner, E.A. Strange 
Jr., H.C. Boyd, Mrs. T.G. Keeling, W.C. Barger, Guy Bond, Deriah 
Cunningham and E.C. Bonner.
  Habitual DWI with habit of running to VA mental hospital every time got 
in trouble, been admitted more than 27 times in last 20 years, did this time 
but going to be prosecuted any way.  
                                ***
             Grandpa’s Report
David who going to college and working in Virginia recently wrote article 
published in “Slate’ on “What’s Wrong With British Cattle” which 
interesting and timely. Article URL: http:/www. Slate. Com/id2174936/.
David also helping with Woodland Cemetery Website.
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