26 Comments
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Patty's avatar

I was anxiously awaiting the second part of Damon Gause’s great escape. This is quite a story of an amazing man! It was indeed courage that helped him survive, but also God. General MacArthur’s response was not surprising. It’s almost unbelievable that he survived. Thanks for sharing his experience with us, Tara. You find exceptional stories of our history. Appreciate your diligent research.

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Wally Firkins's avatar

Wow. The rest of the story is as dramatic as the first part. Damon Gause completed his escape from the Japanese, barely. Mr. Gauses escape was unlikely but owing to his ingenuity and determination he did escape to Australia and then back to his duty. Thank you Tara.

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Tanya Broughman's avatar

When you think that these men went from the Philippines to Australia through many perils and were able to give MacArthur an update. Our enemies have never treated our POWs the way that we treat the POWs we captured. The Bataan death march comes to mind as I read this. If he and his partner had been captured they probably would have been killed.

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Charlie Kendall's avatar

I don’t even know what to say! You have me speechless Tara….

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Tara Ross's avatar

The crazy part is that there were many details I had to leave out. (There's just not enough room.) He had QUITE an adventure!

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Bruce Barlond's avatar

They just kept on going and they made it!

Thank you, Tara, for this story of persistence in the face of the enemy!

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Mark E Johnson's avatar

What a story! This is the first I've heard it. Thanks, Tara, for such a great remembrance of their grit and determination to find their way to freedom.

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Timothy Randol's avatar

Thank you

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Brian Moscoe's avatar

Great story Tara, sounds like Rocky could have had a career as sea going Naval Officer.

Fortunate there were supporters along the seven week trip to help make this trip successful.

General MacArthur said it perfectly!

Thank you Tara

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Sika57's avatar

Great story and an incredible end. They did the impossible and Damon's escape was truly an act of God! These should have been a movie or documentary about this, I never heard about it until now and I'm a WW2 buff. Thanks Tara!!!

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Will Southcombe's avatar

Great finish to a Great story! A real life tale of courage and perseverance. Thank you, Tara Ross!

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JimS's avatar

Thank you Tara. Anyone ever stop to think how many of our heroes made to through by the "Grace of God"? God has watched over so many of them.

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Johnny Baker Jr. MLA's avatar

The General’s response when he saw them? “Well, I’ll be damned.” Tara Ross thanks again! 🇺🇸🇺🇲

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James M Airesman's avatar

Thank you, Tara.

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David K Thiel's avatar

PS - Tara, thanks for not making me wait for "the rest of the story" for more than a day.

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Tara Ross's avatar

LOL. It was a close call. I finished the second half at about 8 pm last night. :)

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David K Thiel's avatar

An amazing tale of perseverance. I was very said to see that he did not out live the war. I looked it up to see how he died - in a training exercise. To have such experiences and die in a training accident is irony for sure. A movie was made about his experience. It came out in 2014. I will have find and watch it.

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Tara Ross's avatar

The movie is just a documentary. I wish they would do a real one with all the best Hollywood special effects!! :)

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Edward Jones's avatar

A harrowing journey for Damon Gause. I bet he held his children and grandchildren in great suspense retelling events about WWII.

❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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