Valor on the Pacific
by
Richard Derby, M.D.,
(Late Lt. Col. M.C., U.S.A. Division surgeon, 2nd Division A.E.F. France)
“The following verses all deal, in some form or other, with what has been spoken of as ‘the lovely virtue’ – Courage, which in its highest form is designated as Valor.”
This 5X7 hardcover book, was sitting on the side of the road, in one of three boxes marked “Free”. I very much wanted to stop, but was rushing Kate to an inflexible appointment. I longingly watched the boxes disappear from view, and proclaimed I am sure they are romance novels or horror stories or perhaps science fiction.
But when my errands were done, I once again found myself approaching the boxes of books, without an excuse, for passing them by. I decided they must be left over from a weekend yard sale, and I bet they are history books, after all how many of us are left, who read history?
Oh my, be still my quaking heart, I thought, as I got out of my car and began to look through the books – they were indeed history books! Several dozen books made their way into the car, and sat there a couple of days, waiting to be cleaned and further inspected. There are two books on baseball which will go to Marcial, and a couple on New England, which have Caroline’s name written all over them, and one on flying for Kate, but the rest are all mine. Thanks dear soul for discarding my new treasures.
Valor on the Pacific caught my eye because of its size, the cover art, designed by Doris R. Knight, as well as the ink drawings, which represent the various branches of the service, the odd little cardboard cover and of course title. Also, the pages are stitched, not glued. It was printed by James H. Knight, of Glen Head, New York.
This copy of the book belonged to Dr. C. C Burlingame, after whom The Burlingame Award, is named. It was signed by the author and dated February 14th, 1943, at the height of World War II. Autographed books are always a delight to own, but this one feels more special than usual, though I am uncertain, as to why I feel this way. I have not been able to discover anything about the author, and am surprised the internet has let me down.
I believe the book is self-published, which I also find intriguing. The small tome is dedicated to the author’s cousin, 1st Lt. Arthur Lawrence Derby Jr., of the 88th Regiment, Field Artillery, United States Forces in the Philippines, a prisoner of war on Bataan. Who in his last letter home writes: “The die is cast – there is now nothing left for us but a job to be done – a job so important that it transcends all personal ambitions, hopes, dreams, comforts – and at the risk of sounding pompous – if necessary, even life itself.”
~M ~
An Internet search found the following information, the Lieutenant, who of course was not pompous, but very brave, died on January 1, 1945, two years after the book was written.
“Derby, Arthur Lawrence Jr., 1st Lt, O&374870, FA, 88th FA Regt (PS), USA, 1/25/45, I, New York, New York” http://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/EricksonCSV.htm (I attempted to contact the author, to request permission for use of this information, but email was returned undeliverable.)
The five poems, in the book, are historical, patriotic, and capture the valor displayed on the battle field by those honorable souls who put their nation and fellow citizens’ welfare, above their own lives.
As the world once again finds itself battling an evil enemy, on more than one front, in a fight that is not only conducted on the field of battle, but where unarmed civilians live and work, I believe it does us all good to stop and reflect on what valor means.
~ M ~
~M~
*TO PHILIP BILLINGS
For the way in which you faced the news that
told you of your loss;
For the courage that you taught us in the taking
up your cross;
For all the rugged wisdom in your three score
years and ten;
For the depths of understatement inherent in
your pen;
For your forthright and enduring faith in victory
to be won;
We salute the valiant father of a fighting Yankee
son!
*The Navy Department received the following letter from Philip Billings of Brooksville Maine:
“Your telegram at hand in regard to the death of Nason H. Billings. Sorry to hear it, but if you will please write me whatever information you can in regard to it, it will be perfectly confidential. I will be glad to hear it. I am his father and 71 years old, and know what war means. Hoping this finds you gentlemen in good spirits and feeling we are sure to win this war.”
