Luck or Miracle: A World War II POW's Survival Story

by Reginald Bollich, James Bollich (As Told by), Maj Gen Bob Hawk Hollingsworth (Foreword by)

Overview

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." - Nelson Mandela

Jim Bollich, a 102-year-old World War II soldier, offers a first-person account of courage, fortitude and the will to survive three years of frost-bitten captivity as a POW in Manchuria, enduring the Bataan Death March, thirst, starvation, diseases, a 32-day sea voyage (crammed into the hold of a Japanese hell ship) and aerial bombings. After liberation, the transport ship to take him home hit a mine and lost power. A violent typhoon ensued and he had to lash himself to a bulkhead above deck to survive.

Jim survived because he strengthened his mind to confront evil and overcome fear in the face of danger, beatings and pain. Daily prayer strengthened his will to live.

"The unselfish actions of James Bollich are perfect examples of how dedication and love of country are manifested and have kept our country free. His narrative shows how a humiliating defeat on the battlefield can turn one's life upside down and create untenable situations that force one to overcome some of the most horrific situations imaginable and to realize that only through Providence can one survive." -- Major General Bob "Hawk" Hollingsworth, USMC (Retired)

From Modern History Press

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615997770
Publisher:	Modern History Press
Publication date:	10/26/2023
Pages:	122
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.26(d)

About the Author

Reggie Bollich is a retired physicist, amateur biblical archaeologist, and ordained Catholic deacon. He worked on NASA's Apollo project, for the oil/gas industry in the USA, Saudi Arabia, France, London, Singapore and the UAE. He unearthed ancient sites in the Middle East and is president of a non-profit organization that supports Sarnelli orphanage in Thailand. Reggie and Dottie Compton, married for 32 years, live in Lafayette Louisiana.

James Bollich is a 102-year-old World War II US Army veteran. He survived the Bataan Death March, numerous diseases, starvation, a thirty-two-day sea voyage crammed into the hold of a Japanese hell-ship, and a three-and-one-half year frost-bitten sojourn as a POW in a Manchuria prison camp. He went on to earn a degree under the G.I. Bill and had a successful career as a geologist in Lafayette Louisiana where he lives today. He is very close to his daughters Sally Bru and Melinda Gilbert.

Editorial Reviews

"The unselfish actions of James Bollich are perfect examples of how dedication and love of country are manifested and have kept our country free. His narrative shows how a humili¬ating defeat on the battlefield can turn one's life upside down and create untenable situations that force one to overcome some of the most horrific situations imaginable and to realize that only through Providence can one survive." -- Major General Bob "Hawk" Hollingsworth, USMC (Retired)

From the Publisher