Kathryn H. Dunlap This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross - News & Information

   www.redcrossalgulfcoast.org/ne - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/9/2002   Last Visited: 8/3/2004

   Upon opening an envelop recently containing a modest but very appreciated donation from Woodrow W. Dunlap and Kathryn H. Dunlap of Alabama Gulf Coast Red Cross staff members discovered a short note, scribbled with an obvious shaking hand.
   ...
   Dunlap was referring to cartons of food the American Red Cross and International Red Cross delivered to P.O.W.s imprisoned in during the war. The parcels contained 10 pounds of highly concentrated food, which was delivered at least once per week if allowed. Included in the parcels were: powdered milk, oleo, instant coffee, sugar cubes, cheese, canned ham, corned beef, chocolate bars (called d-bars), jelly, liver patte, sea rations and cigarettes. Dunlap added that the Red Cross also provided shoes, clothes, blankets, writing paper, pencils and musical instruments.
   
   In a phone conversation with Dunlop he pressed the point that food is his number one passion - his favorite pastime. "I love to eat!" he said. "Sometimes we would use the d-bars and cigarettes to barter for other items that other prisoners had."
   
   Dunlap served in the 15th U. S. Army Air Force, 740th Squadron, 455th Bomb Group. His plane was shot down while on a bombing mission to destroy a ball bearing plant in Styer, Austria while flying over Salzburg, Austria. He was one of four who survived the attack. After parachuting into the Alps into three feet of snow, the soldier was captured after walking only few miles. Dunlap said he mustered out as a Sargent after 38 months of service.
   
   "But I was in prison 13 months, 1 day, 2 hours and 20 minutes," he added.
   
   A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dunlap and his wife moved to Mobile in 1998 to be close to her family. The 79 year-old has two children and two grandchildren and he is retired from Roadway Express. He will celebrate his 80th birthday in September.
   
   "I was so glad to see the Red Cross while I was in prison," Dunlap said.