Retired judge writes book about former WW II prisoner of war

In April, 1942, Clarence Bramley was among the more than 60,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war who survived the Bataan Death March. He spent several months aboard a Japanese “hell ship” before finally being relocated to a forced labor camp in Japan where he spent the duration of the war.

 As the war drew to a close, the camp was discovered by Allied bombers, who dropped in lifesaving supplies via parachute. On the day before the armistice, Bramley stayed up all night to stitch together an American flag using scraps of colored parachute fabric he had scavenged after the supply drops.

 This selfless act of patriotism from a young man who had every reason to be discouraged, fearful, and bitter, is a remarkable story of American resilience that speaks to our beliefs in the principles of freedom, hope, and justice.

 The morning of February 10, 2015, Clarence Bramley passed away, one day after the book detailing his inspiring experiences, “Unwavering Valor,” was released. As part of “The Greatest Generation,” Bramley’s struggle as a POW is an interesting case study into understanding the uniquely American values that helped define our country and the world.

Researched and written by retired judge William T. Garner, “Unwavering Valor” details the harrowing experiences of Clarence Bramley and the patriotism and belief that kept him alive. Through the Bataan Death March, prison camps in the Philippines and Taiwan, months aboard a Japanese hell ship, and years imprisoned in a forced labor camp in Kosaka, Japan, Clarence Bramley never gave up.