On Memorial Day, readers may honor the incredible bravery and steadfast faith of those who served by reading “Telling His Story: POW #1000,” a moving memoir that depicts the life and spiritual fortitude of former World War II prisoner of war J.C. Pardue. The book offers an intimate insight into the reality of captivity, resiliency, and the human spirit, making it a vital resource for both military history enthusiasts and educational programs.
“Telling His Story,” transcribed from J.C. Pardue's personal journals, highlights instances of both extreme bravery and enduring faith. Most prominent among his memories was the miracle of his Bible, which survived a direct hit from a fragmentation bomb, confiscation in a POW camp, and disposal on a Hell Ship. In each case, the Bible returned. Memories of veterans like POW #1000, and there are many of them, provide readers a genuine connection to history by highlighting the incredible strength of troops who suffered unspeakable tragedies.
Educational institutions and military museums have begun integrating the book into their programs, using it to teach students about the personal experiences behind historical events. Veteran educators praise the text for bringing history to life: “This book bridges the gap between history and humanity,” remarked retired Colonel Thomas Henderson. “Students gain more than facts—they gain understanding of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.”
In addition to its classroom use, “Telling His Story” has been featured in museum exhibitions dedicated to military service, where visitors can engage with the powerful narrative through excerpts, artifacts, and multimedia presentations. These displays honor both the individual and collective sacrifices of POWs, reminding audiences of the enduring costs of war and the strength of faith.
As Memorial Day draws near, “Telling His Story: POW #1000” serves as a somber homage to those who served, providing readers with a contemplative prism through which to recognize bravery, tenacity, and spiritual strength. It is a book for recollection as well as for encouraging the next generation to cherish independence and fortitude.
“Telling His Story: POW #1000 – The Bataan Death March and Japanese POW Camps” by J.C. Pardue and Dr. Janis Pardue Hill is now available on Amazon and for presentations and book talks and can be reached by email janisphill@gmail.com.
About the Author
Janis Pardue Hill, PhD, a retired university professor and lifelong educator, holds a BS in English education, an MA in literature, and a PhD in Curriculum Theory. She has taught in secondary and university classrooms, served as a Program Coordinator in the Louisiana Department of Education, and worked as a Curriculum Coordinator in the Ouachita Parish School System.
Dr. Hill retired from Louisiana Tech University in 2010 to dedicate herself to family, with the publication of her father's notes and journals her top priority. She spent the last two years of her father's life talking with him and interviewing him about the plethora of journals and notes he had recorded after he returned from the war about his experiences on the Bataan Death March and in Japanese POW camps. That memoir, entitled “Telling His Story: POW #1000 The Bataan Death March and Japanese POW Camps,” was published on December 2, 2022; and since that time, Dr. Hill has spoken at numerous events, including the 2023 Louisiana Book Fair where the memoir was one of the featured books. “Telling His Story: POW #1000” is currently in republication. “BUG: The Story of a Special Bug and His Little Boy” is her first children's book.
Dr. Hill and her husband, Charles A. Hill, Jr., have two children, Trey and Amy; three grandchildren, Jack Hill, Harper Bourgeois and Emma Bourgeois; and a son-in-law Bartley Bourgeois. Dr. Hill and her husband live in North Louisiana.
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