The Lost Battalion Association

The 2nd Battalion of the 13^st Field Artillery was nicknamed the Lost Battalion of Texas since the time they were captured on the Island of Java when the Dutch capitulated. No one knew what had happened to them and even the War Department was not aware of the fate of the men until nearly three years after their capture.

When the men were liberated, the wives and mothers arranged a “welcome home” celebration in Wichita Falls in October 1945. The idea “snowballed” and all survivors that returned (and could be located) were invited to attend. Such a good time was had at the first reunion that it was decided to meet every year.

The men informally organized as the Lost Battalion Association with officers who organized the annual reunions in different cities in Texas. The reunions grew to include the survivors of the USS Houston. In recent years, as the number of survivors dwindled, children and family members of the men assumed responsibility for preserving this history of the Lost Battalion and implementing the annual reunion.

You can find out more about the Lost Battalion Association and the annual reunion (held in August) by contacting Terry Shields or Susan Ficklin, Co-Presidents via email:

• Terry Shields:  terry-shields@sbcglobal.com
• Susan Ficklin:  susuficklin@yahoo.com