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<em>Homer Harvey Uglow</em> was born on the family farm in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on 20 September 1911. His father, Charles Herbert Uglow, born in Ringgold County, Iowa, and mother, Clarinda Evelyn Johnson, a native of Missouri, were western Nebraska homesteaders. Homer was raised where the plains meet the foothills of the Rockies in a family with two sisters, of whom one still lives on the Uglow farm in Scottsbluff.</p>
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As a boy, Homer loved to ride horses and was good at it. He also liked to read and spent much time as a boy and young man developing his vocabulary. Homer attended high school in Scottsbluff, where he was known as a good student with special interests in math and physics. He participated in high school track, and was also a talented musician, playing the piano, organ, and several band instruments. He had a good singing voice. He was graduated from high school in 1928. During the next five years, interspersed with working on the family farm, Homer studied at Nebraska State Normal College, Chadron, Nebraska, and Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, after which he taught at Victory Hill School in Scottsbluff.</p>
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Homer’s interest in attending the Military Academy was inspired by a good friend of his who told him of the opportunity to compete for an appointment. Although ill with fever on the day of the competitive examination, Homer scored the highest grade of all applicants in the western third of Nebraska. He earned his appointment to the Academy from then Congressman Robert G. Simmons, representing the Sixth District of Nebraska. His sister reports that, in addition to the desire to serve his country, Homer had a wish to obtain a top-quality college education, and West Point’s academic reputation appealed to his aspiration in this regard.</p>
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Homer was admitted to the Military Academy on 1 July 1933, and after Beast Barracks, was assigned to “L” Company in which he remained to graduation. His biography in the <em>Howitzer</em> recounts: “ … Goatiest of the goats in the plebe year, but now, without file-boning, he has reached a place well up in academic ranks. He is a man of few words and intense mental activity …” Indeed, the cadet records show that Homer improved his academic standing from 206 in the fourth class year to 142 upon graduation. His cadet biographer further observes that “… his love of music and natural ability have made him prominent in musical circles …” Homer was a member of the Cadet Chapel Choir for four years and the Glee Club during first class year. His athletic abilities were given outlet in intramural activities.</p>
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Homer was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry upon graduation on 12 June 1937 and was assigned, initially, to the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. A classmate recounts that, “Homer entered wholeheartedly into whatever task assigned. Not too athletically inclined, he nevertheless, when assigned as coach of his company team, enthusiastically accepted the assignment and won the regimental championship. When given the job of defending a soldier in court-martial, accused of drinking while on guard duty in a garage, he cleared the defendant of the charges. The evidence consisted of a statement of the sergeant of the guard who smelled alcohol on the accused’s breath. Homer pointed out that, it being winter time, all of the vehicles had alcohol in their radiators, the odor of which permeated the building.”</p>
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Homer met Sarita Rodriguez at Fort Benning where they were married on 20 June 1939. They remained at Fort Benning until December 1939, when Homer received orders to Fort William McKinley, Philippine Islands, with assignment to the 45th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts). He reported there for duty on 14 February 1940 and was promoted to captain, AUS, on 9 September 1940. While on station in Manila, the Uglows were favored with the birth of two daughters—Frances and Margaret. Homer’s family was evacuated from the Philippines about 1 November 1941, aboard the last of the civilian transport ships to leave Manila.</p>
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Homer participated in the defense of Bataan as Assistant G-2, South Luzon Forces, Bataan Defense Force and II Philippine Corps, from December 1941 to April 1942. He was promoted to major, AUS, on 4 April 1942. Records in the National Archives report that Major Uglow was commanding the 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry Regiment in April 1942. Accounts of the action indicate that Homer was wounded in the leg by shrapnel on Bataan shortly before its surrender, but remained with his unit. On 10 April 1942 Homer is reported as one of thirteen officers of the 45th Infantry who, together with their men, were captured by the Japanese forces approximately eighteen miles north of Mariveles after having received orders from superiors to cease fighting.</p>
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In spite of his leg wound, Homer participated in the Bataan Death March. He was carried in a missing in action status on, and subsequent to, 7 May 1942 until being reported by the Japanese government in a prisoner of war status. Homer was erroneously reported to have died in a POW camp in the Philippine Islands. However, an account by a fellow POW indicates that he survived the hardships as a POW for almost three years, being held in O’Donnell, Ca-banatuan, Dapecol Davao, and Bilibid. A comrade reports that, “Homer was one of the finest men that I knew in the service. While waiting for transport to Japan, he spent a great deal of his time in the sick officers’ building in Bilibid Prison, not as a patient, but in comforting his friends.”</p>
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Homer was among the thousands of American prisoners transported from the Philippines to Japan just ahead of the returning American forces in December 1944. He survived the tragic bombings of the Oryoku Maru and Enoura Maru, and died aboard a third Japanese prison ship, the Brazil Maru, near or in Moji Harbor, Japan, on 28 January 1945. His death was caused by heart failure resulting from starvation, exposure, and other hardships of imprisonment. His remains were cremated and first interred in Moji but later transferred to the British Commonwealth Cemetery in Yokohoma. His ashes now rest among his comrades’ in the Yokohama Cremation Memorial.</p>
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Homer Uglow was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action. He is eligible for award of the Purple Heart and the recently authorized Prisoner of War Medal, the latter of which has been applied for and award is pending.</p>
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Homer is survived by his wife Sarita (now Mrs. James Comyns); his daughters Frances and Margaret; three grandchildren; and his sister Wilma Uglow Kaps.</p>
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A classmate says, “Homer was determined, a wonderful family man, dedicated to the service and of high ideals and principles.” His son-in-law writes, “Homer Uglow’s spirit still shines through his daughters and grandchildren; his memory is still bright in their minds; a sense of honor still motivates his family.”</p>
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Homer did embody the spirit of ideals which bind “The Corps.”</p>
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<em>A Classmate</em></p>
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