Gavino Rivera's family was lucky -- their son came home. Read letters they sent to him during his long confinement as a prisoner of war. Note the U.S. government did not inform the Riveras of their son's POW status for 17 months after the fall of Bataan, in April 1942.
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Postal Telegraph
Received at: Plaza Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico
AQ10 29 GOVT (TWO) WMU WASHINGTON DC 501P SEPTEMBER 21 1943
MRS ROSA D RIVERA=
=326 STAAB ST SANTAFE NMEX=
:REPORT RECEIVED STATES THAT YOUR SON CORPORAL GAVINO RIVERA IS A PRISONER OF WAR OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS LETTER OF INFORMATION FOLLOWS FROM PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL:
=ULIO THE ADJT GENERAL.
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Prisoner of War Mail
Postage-Free Post Card
To:
Cpl. Gavino Rivera, American P.O.W.
Headquarters, Fukuoka Camp (Furyoshuyosho)
Island of Hunshu, Japan
From:
Mr. & Mrs. Max Rivera
326 Staab Street
Samta Fe, New Mexico (USA)
December 18, 1944
Dear Son:
This Christmas day we will all be thinking of you and praying for your early return. We are all well. God bless you,
Love,
Mother and Dad
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Prisoner of War Mail
Postage-Free Post Card
To:
Cpl. Gavino Rivera, American P.O.W.
Headquarters, Fukuoka Camp (Furyoshuyosho)
Island of Hunshu, Japan
From:
Mr. And Mrs. H.W. Smith
Byram Hotel
Atchison, Kansas
Dec. 19, 1944
Dear Gavino:
XMAS TIME AND WE ARE THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU. ALL ARE WELL. HAVE FAITH. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. REGARDS FROM ALL. LOVE, AURORA.
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Prisoner of War Mail
Postage-Free Post Card
To:
Corporal Gavino Rivera (American P.O.W.)
Camp Fukuoka Furyoshuyosho
Island of Hunshu, Japan
From:
Mr. & Mrs. Max Rivera
326 Staab Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico (U.S.A.)
January 21, 1945
Dear Son:
Received your first message from Fukuoka this morning. Very happy you are in good health. We are all well here, sending photographs next letter. Love, Mrs. Max Rivera and Dad
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Prisoner of War Mail
Postage-Free Post Card
To:
Corporal Gavino Rivera (American P.O.W.)
Camp Fukuoka Furyoshuyosho
Island of Hunshu, Japan
From:
Juan J. Romero, Jr.
P.O. Box 5
Santa Fe. New Mexico.
January 26, 1945
Dear Gavino, :
Your folks are fine and in health, we are compadres. Have seen few of your cards. Hope we see you soon and that you are fine.
Johnny Romero.
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Prisoner of War Mail
Postage-Free Post Card
To:
Corporal Gavino Rivera (American P.O.W.)
Camp Fukuoka Furyoshuyosho
Island of Hunshu, Japan
From: Mr. & Mrs. Max Rivera
326 Staab Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico (U.S.A.)
March 4th, 1945
Dear Son:
Constantly thinking of you, praying that you will return home soon. Don't worry about us, we are all well. Hoping you are allright. Love, Mother and Dad
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Western Union Telegram
MAX RIVERA=
=326 STAAB ST
VA161 NL PD=NEWYORK NY DEC 26
Recieved 1945 DEC 27 AM 11:50
ARRIVED SAFELY IN NEW YORK THIS MORNING BAD STORMS DELAYED CHRISTMAS ARRIVAL WILL BE HOME SOON DO NOT WORRY LOVE=
GIL.
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