30 months in an internment camp

The expats who had been living on the campus of the University of Santo Tomas were spared from the planned massacre by the Japanese when the US Army First Cavalry was able to pierce through Japanese defense lines and barged into the internment camp on Feb. 3, 1945.
The expats who had been living on the campus of the University of Santo Tomas were spared from the planned massacre by the Japanese when the US Army First Cavalry was able to pierce through Japanese defense lines and barged into the internment camp on Feb. 3, 1945.

Since fifth grade, Ethel "Sally" Blaine Millett, a Missouri native and an Army nurse, had been longing for the Philippines. Fate seemed to be on her side when she finally got the chance in 1939 after completing her nursing training in San Diego and joining the US Army at Letterman General Hospital.

Millett recalled how she eagerly volunteered to go to the Philippines whenever the opportunity arose. On the third attempt, she made sure her name stood out, much like John Hancock's signature, when she signed up. The Philippines was seeing increased activity, with two ships being sent there monthly.

However, the tranquility didn't last long. Millett sensed tension building up, and her premonition proved right when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Despite the initial disbelief, the reality of war sunk in as bombings became a daily occurrence.

Millett vividly remembered the chaos and urgency that followed the bombings. Despite the relentless attacks, she remained steadfast in her duty, even as casualties poured in, overwhelming their modest hospital facilities.

As the situation deteriorated, they were eventually forced to evacuate. Millett found herself in harrowing situations, such as getting stuck in a culvert during a bombing raid. Amidst the chaos, she clung to her essentials, including her cherished cosmetic bag.

Their journey to safety was fraught with challenges, from running out of gas to missing their scheduled boat. Eventually, they found themselves stranded in Mindanao after a failed attempt to escape by plane. Forced to hide from the advancing Japanese forces, they eventually surrendered in May 1942.

On May 11, 1942, Capt. Ethel "Sally" Blaine Millett, along with nine other Army nurses and three civilians, found themselves captured by the Japanese at the USAFFE base hospital in Cagayan.

Their journey into captivity began with a grim voyage on a dilapidated boat to Davao. The conditions were abysmal, but camaraderie among passengers like missionaries and Mr. Downes, a Japan-savvy fellow, offered some solace.

Arriving in Davao on Aug. 26, 1942, they were later transferred to Manila, 25 Americans strong, on a cleaner ship. Despite falling ill with a high fever, Millett found unexpected kindness from a Japanese medic, a moment of compassion amidst turmoil.

Upon reaching Manila, Millett's friend directed her to Bert Holland at Santo Tomas, where she immediately sought medical attention for her malaria-ridden body.

Life in Santo Tomas internment camp was a blend of endurance and ingenuity. Each internee had a duty, though Millett's bouts of illness confined her to scrubbing pigeon droppings from the roof. Food was scarce, with meals often consisting of worm-infested rice and caribou meat.

Amidst deprivation, acts of defiance, like stealing from the Japanese pantry, were common. Self-governing and organized, the internees navigated a precarious balance of restrictions and privileges.

However, joy amidst adversity brought its own challenges. The birthrate surged in the camp, prompting measures to curb pregnancies and punish fathers with strict diets—a peculiar hardship amidst the chaos.

Millett's recollections unveil the peril faced by military men in hiding, with discovery by the Japanese posing a grave risk.

Liberation of internees at Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila The arrival of American forces on February 3, 1945, signaled liberation. With repatriation arrangements sorted, Millett and her companions departed Santo Tomas on Feb. 12. Their journey home, via Leyte, Mindoro, and beyond, marked a triumphant return to freedom.

Post-war, Millett continued her service, eventually marrying a fellow prisoner of war, George V. Millett Jr., and raising a family. Her indomitable spirit and resilience endured until her passing on March 8, 2005, leaving behind a legacy of courage and perseverance.