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Jan (John) V. Bzoch
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JAN V. BZOCH, ING. “JOHN” was born March, 27, 1909 in Cesky Sternberk, CZ. Received Business degree at Charles University, Prague. Spoke fluent German, French, English, Spanish, and Czech. Was sent to Philippines in 1936 as Czech government export and trade representative and aide to Czech Consul-General. Living in Manila with wife, Vladimira and daughter, Jane.
Jan Bzoch (right) with Hon. Czech Consul Leo & Mrs. Schnurmacher at the Czech Pavilion in an Export show in Manila, 1938. Although safe at the time, being a citizen of a German-Protectorate country, he was deeply troubled by the bellicose actions of Germany and Japan. On December 30, 1941, he and 13 other Czech men volunteered their services to the USA Army. Worked under Col. Michael A. Quinn as a “Civilian Employee” in Motor Transport, Luzon Forces in Bataan, in charge of a crew of 4, driving a heavy wrecking truck to salvage equipment on front lines under constant threat of enemy fire and aerial bombing. Captured on Bataan on April 15, 1942. Survived the Bataan Death March and 2½ years as a POW in Cabanatuan, working mostly on air fields. On Dec. 15, 1944, survived the bombing and sinking of the Oryoku Maru, was recaptured and transported by truck and train box car to San Fernando, La Union, and loaded on the Enoura Maru in the forward hold. Lost his life on January 9, 1945 in the bombing of this hellship at Takao, Formosa. Believe his remains were relocated to Punchbowl Cemetery, Honolulu in 1949 in unidentified mass graves.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION AMERICAN MEDAL OF FREEDOM . Noteworthy was his volunteered mission with 6 fellow Czechs, going into “no man’s land”, dismantling two rice mills, transporting, and reassembling them to provide rice for the starving troops. PHILIPPINE MEDALS OF DEFENSE AND OF LIBERATION NAMED ON MONUMENT TO 7 CZECH HEROES, TARLAC, P.I.
FAMILY: Vladimira Bzoch
Kragen (widow) Stockton, CA Jane Bzoch Cambus
(daughter) Walnut Creek, CA e-mail:
john.cambus@csueastbay.edu
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