Pre-War Life

The Approach of World War II

In 1941, wars raged in Europe and Asia. At that time, the Japanese were an increasing threat to American allies and colonies in the South Pacific. Seeing the need, the government of the Philippines desperately prepared for the defense of their islands. General Douglas MacArthur was tasked to help them and he rushed to staff the newly formed “US Army Forces in the Far East” (USAFFE) to help them. Major O’Donovan, experienced soldier and military instructor, eager for the rapid advancement that comes in time of war, would have been thrilled when he received orders to report for duty in Manila. So, he set sail for the Philippine Islands, leaving behind his wife Evelyn and 5 children James Jr, William, Johanna, Marilyn and Virginia.

While aboard ship, Jim became acquainted with other officers headed for Manila. One such officer, Major Bill Miner, wrote about meeting him in his book Surrender on Cebu:

"...Another company commander was Capt. James O'Donovan. O'Donovan was tall, dark, slender, thin in figure and face, wore a very small black mustache and was very intelligent. I used to visit him a lot and we became good friends. He had a lot of originality...."

Jim may have felt apprehension about his future. Oral family history has it that he told his wife before leaving that he might not come back. To Major Bill Miner he expressed, "We are all dead heroes. There is no other way out!". Even so, he did not seek the safe route or the soft assignments. Lieut. Harold F. Bryant, after the war wrote about him,

"He spent hours and hours delving into all kinds of military manuals and documents so that he could better himself and others for the job which was to come....He was a model of courage, manliness and most of all, a capable leader".

The voyage to Manila by way of Honolulu was aboard the ship President Franklin Pierce, which embarked June 6th, arriving in Manila June 23, 1941. About the trip, he wrote,

"If you ever go to the tropics, DON’T GET SUNBURNED! I know! I was exposed about 20 minutes and have spent three days of misery since ".

Jim viewed going to Manila as a chance for advancement in the military and an opportunity to transition from Army Reserves to Regular Army. He wrote:

"I will arrive at Manila tomorrow night at which time I will get my assignment to a regiment. The three possible assignments are the 31^st Infantry and two regiments of Philippine Scouts. This may be an excellent chance to go into the Regular Army as I’ll be here two years. "

O'Donovan settled into the army routines and was at first making plans to move the family to be with him. As tension with Japan increased, that plan was scuttled. He noted that others weren't taking circumstances very seriously, writing:

"Many Regular and reserve officers are losing their commissions here. Mostly for drinking and inefficiency. In all cases I know of they richly deserve it. I’m willing to bet they don’t get me on any of those charges (or any other either). At least, I’m going to try pretty hard not to lose out."

Shortly before the war, Jim was promoted to a position that would later place him at the front lines in the Battle of Bataan. In a letter dated Nov 19th, 1941 (3 weeks before the war) Jim wrote to his brother:

"I’ve been S-3 (regimental training officer) of the 31^st for about five months now and am going to take over the third battalion 31^st infantry this week. (To put some much needed discipline into it). If we move out, I’ll probably be promoted, so here’s hoping. In any case, if you hear of U.S. troops being engaged in the Far East, I’ll be in it, probably as a battalion commander."