Diary+3-+April+12,+1942

Dear Diary,

Our brave troops fight two wars, one in Europe and the other in Asia. I would like nothing more than to use all of our resources to trample the vile Japanese, but alas, we are faced with numerous opponents. This year did not start well for our side. On January 2nd Manila and our naval base at Cavite were captured by the Japanese. The war in Asia has been extremely difficult for our troops. Regardless, I have no doubts that we will eventually pull through with victory, and finally teach the Japanese a long-deserved lesson. The road to peace will begin with small victories, like Captain Robert Ford piloting the Pacific Clipper. It was the first commercial plane to make a round-the-world trip. I saw this as an omen of good news to come, but I have yet to hear any such good news.

In February our prospects for holding the Philippines looked bleak. I ordered General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines because our defense of the islands had essentially collapsed. As Japanese forces continued to advance, General MacArthur finally left Corregidor for Australia in March. He was replaced by General Wainwright. The following month we lost a lot of good men—too many. In Bataan, American and Philippine defenders capitulated to Japanese forces. Their surrender was followed by a 55-mile march, which my men here are calling the “Bataan Death March.” 12,000 American soldiers had surrendered to the Japanese, and some 1,000 have already been lost on that march toward various prison camps. I hear that my men continue to be tortured and executed in cruel ways by the Japanese. It takes every ounce of my self-control to contain my anger and disgust for these war crimes. They are unnecessary and inhumane. The Japanese are truly barbaric.

Last month I seriously began to doubt our potential for a victorious outcome. The first Japanese soldiers landed in Corregidor, which was defended only by 13,000 soldiers under General Wainwright, and more than 1,000 American and Filipinos died in fierce defense of the island. It appears we have lost the Philippines.

I began this year hopeful and confident that our participation in the war would bring everyone one step closer to achieving peace. Now, I fear that our men have been sent away to be slaughtered at the hands of our depraved enemies. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we entered this war with ardor. Our failure to hold the Philippines has changed the entire nation’s perspective on this war. It is clear to me that our citizens here are torn between feelings of vengeance and the reality of losing in battle. I am starting to regret our participation in this war, but how could it have been avoided after Pearl Harbor? My hope for victory and peace has been replaced by doubt. My confidence has turned into anxiety. I must prepare for the possibility of defeat, but am unable to share this with anyone. My citizens and troops need their president to stand tall and hold firm to our mission. Despite my low morale, I must see this war through until the end.