Mr. G. Holman King

This is a preview of his Program Mr. King provided for his scheduled address at the Ephraim M. Daggett Chapter (Fort Worth) of the Sons of the Republic of Texas on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Woodhaven Country Club in Fort Worth.

"It seems there were two Lost Battalions who were given that label by the press in WW II, and both were units of the 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. The one I will be addressing is the 2nd Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division. It was made up primarily of young men from North Central Texas.

"This ill-fated unit, mobilized with the rest of the 36th Division in November 1940, and detached in November 1941, was headed for the Philippines when the Japanese attacked on December 7th. Diverted briefly to Australia, they were loaned to the Dutch for the defense of Java and taken prisoners by the Japanese on March 8, when the Dutch capitulated; three short months after the war began.

"They were among the first prisoners taken by the Japanese. Their whereabouts were unknown many months-thus the "Lost Battalion" label. Their 1,260-day captivity was cruel and brutal. They are Texas, sons of whom we can be proud and whose ordeal should not be forgotten. My talk is a tribute to them."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

G. Holman King, P. E. is a retired electric utility executive living in Pecan Plantation near Granbury, TX. His interest in honoring WW II veterans through the WW II Memorial Registry of Remembrances has provided the opportunity to meet some special people with interesting and compelling WW II experiences. The Lost Battalion talk grew out of that activity.

A native of Abilene, Texas, King is a 1955 electrical engineering graduate of Texas A & M. In the mid 1950s, he served two years on active duty as a Lt. in the United States Army. He retired from Central and South West Corporation, an electric utility holding company, after a thirty five year career with the parent company and one of its operating companies, West Texas Utilities Company of Abilene Texas.

He and his wife Janie have three daughters and five grandchildren of whom they are very proud.