Corporal Joseph O. Quintero was recently discharged from the United States Army. The veteran survived one of medical history's most makeshift operations and endured Japanese beatings during his convalescence in prisoner camp. Corporal Quintero suffered appendicitis while being transferred on a Japanese freighter to the Philippians as a Prisoner of War. An American officer used a razor blade and a spoon to remove the infected appendix and standard cotton string for the sutures. Corporal Quintero spent forty-three months as a prisoner. He dealt with infection and dropped to ninety-five pounds by the time he was liberated. He wears a Purple Heart for his injuries and a Silver Star for saving the life of a buddy. Corporal Quintero is shown sitting on a bench, dressed in his military uniform. He plans to begin his civilian life by returning to school.
This project was funded by Institute of Museum and Library Services/Texas State Library and Archives Commission.