Introduction

 Lt. Basil Jones Gilbert

World War II

Diary and Letters

(September 8, 1942 - October 10, 1945)

Bataan Death March

Prisoner of War (POW) in the Philippines and Japan

Lt. Basil Jones Gilbert survived the Bataan Death March and Prisoner of War for three and half years.  This webpage contains his diary and letters during World War II.  Our family wants the public to have access to these historical documents. 

Basil Jones Gilbert Quote December 25, 1944 Zentsufi P.O.W. Camp

"God give us strength to pull through it to return our homes.  In two days will be my fourth wedding anniversary and prisoner of war almost 3 ½ years – Rather ironic – However, I feel that I wouldn’t go through the last three and one half years for all the money in the world – because my life would no doubt be lost – As far as we are able to ascertain – not even 50% of Bataan survivors will ever return home.  There is one thing that I would go through it again for and that is for my country, my people. " 

Lt. Basil Jones Gilbert was born in a small Kentucky town May 6, 1911.  He was captain of the R.O.T.C., went to the University of Kentucky, and worked in the banking industry.  At age 30 Basil was called into active duty by the Army Reserve and stationed in Camp McQuaide Watsonville, California.  At Bank of America, Basil met Margaret Seibel and three months later they got married, even though Basil 10 years her senior.  One month later, September 8, 1941, he leaves for Manila, Philippines.  It will be four years before they see each other again.  From the start of his service, he's missing his new wife, Margaret.  Many of the letters and boxes Margaret sent never reached Basil. 

For fifty years the diary and letters lie in a cardboard box in my grandmothers Margaret coset.   My mother helped me transcribe Basil's handwriting.  When everything was organized and I read it for the first time in chronological order, the story came alive.  After reading the diary and letters family members have been touched by Basil and Margaret story.  Thank you for reading.  Jeff Nikkila

Video below was created by Basil's grandson Cody Gilbert.  

The speakers in the video are Basil's son John Gilbert and daughter Diane Nikkila.