Islander, in Philippines, Marks Camps’ Liberation

by Mary Cavanaugh

Dr. Audrey Maurer, a 27-year Island resident, attended a ten-day celebration of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Philippines internment camps created by the Japanese for American civilians during World War II. The celebration extended over ten locations, including traveling the route of the Bataan Death March and walking the final kilometer with a group that included one actual survivor.

Maurer wrote her dissertation on the female survivors of this barely explored chapter of history. Over a two-year period, she visited 13 states, traveled 38,000 miles, interviewed 50 people, and wore out five tape recorders. She found the women surprisingly willing to discuss, perhaps for the first time, what they had experienced. The dissertation, No One Asked, has created an emotional groundswell among the women, and has attracted publishers wanting her to offer the story for publication.

In Manila, the ceremonies lasted a full day and included what her guide termed a first-ever tour of the presidential palace. During a tour of the American Embassy (which was occupied by the Japanese and now houses photos and memorabilia on the internment camps), Audrey was called upon, as an expert, to deliver an impromptu report on the war-crimes trial that was held there. Many of the 30 or so survivors in attendance were helpful in providing previously unavailable identification for faces and events captured in the photos. Another exhibit at the University of Santo Tomas, which the occupiers used as an internment camp from 1942 through early 1945, was attended by the U.S. Ambassador, a Philippine senator, documentary film makers, and international members of the press.

The 60-year anniversary seems to have kindled new interest in the subject of POWs and internees in general. It marked the world premiere of a new American/Japanese movie dealing with the subject, starring Benjamin Bratt and Connie Neilson.

When asked what most touched her, Maurer said, "These women opened up and shared their stories with me. Most of them had never spoken about the experience, and seemed to think it was time."

Audrey is a graduate of Hunter College High School and Queens College. With her husband and three children, she lived in Africa for 20 years, teaching English and French, and learning Russian at the Soviet Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Her facility with languages launched her career as a flight attendant with Pan Am and another career teaching French, Latin, and Russian at Hunter College High School.

She recently left the classroom to create a new position supervising Senior internships, off-campus courses at universities, and the school-wide community-service program at Hunter. She spends her summers teaching English Literature at Hawaii Pacific University.