Joe Lieberman: “I wish to recognize a small group of heroes who are gathering this Saturday at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery…”

“I wish to recognize a small group of heroes who are gathering this Saturday at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery to honor their fallen comrades and to ensure that future generations of Americans remember the tremendous sacrifices of those who served in the Pacific theater during the Second World War. These former heroes--prisoners of war all--will dedicate a plaque that marks a humble grave within the sea of headstones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation. The inscription of the plaque reads: Victims of the Japanese Massacre, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, P.I., December 14, 1944 These U.S. prisoners of war of the Japanese were on the island of Palawan, P.I., as slave laborers building an airfield for the Japanese military. Believing that an invasion by the U.S. forces was imminent, the prisoners were forced into three tunnel air raid shelters, thus following orders from the Japanese High Command to dispose of prisoners by any means available. Buckets of gasoline were thrown inside the shelters followed by flaming torches. Those not instantly killed by the explosions ran burning from the tunnels and were machine gunned and bayoneted to death. Only a few survived this horror. Amongst those who did was Mr. Dan Crowley of Simsbury, CT. I thank Mr. Crowley for sharing his experiences with my staff and I, and educating all of us about an important event in U.S. history.”