Honoring a Hero’s Legacy This Veterans Day: Dr. Janis Pardue Hill Shares Her Father’s Remarkable WWII Story

More than a memoir, this deeply moving book chronicles the experiences of J.C. Pardue, a young American airman in the Army Air Corps who endured some of the harshest trials of World War II—the Bataan Death March, years of captivity in Japanese prison camps, and forced labor in Japan. Through Dr. Hill’s careful transcription, compilation, and editing, readers hear directly from a man who lived through unimaginable conditions yet held firmly to faith and hope.

“You will all die here.” Those were the chilling words a Japanese officer delivered to the captured Americans and Filipinos after the completion of the Death March and arrival at Camp O’Donnell, one of the most infamous of all the POW camps. For many, those words proved fatal as soldiers were beaten, tortured, or shot. For POW #1000, J.C. Pardue, however, who was sustained by faith and an unyielding will to live, defeat by the barbarians was not an option. POW #1000 endured.

Dr. Hill recounts her father’s journey with honesty and reverence—from the fall of Bataan and the grueling march, to the horrors of imprisonment and forced labor. Each chapter bears witness not only to suffering but also to resilience and the quiet miracles that made survival possible.

Among the most powerful stories is “the story” of Pardue’s Bible, a steadfast companion that defied destruction. Struck by shrapnel, confiscated by guards, even discarded on one of the infamous “Hell Ships,” his Bible always found its way back to him. To Pardue, it was more than a book—it was a living symbol of divine protection.

“His Bible was the weapon he valued most,” says Dr. Hill. “It carried him through starvation, disease, and despair. To him, it was a living miracle.”

In writing “Telling His Story: POW #1000,” Dr. Hill honors not only her father but also the thousands of servicemen who endured the Bataan Death March and Japanese captivity. Recognized by the daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for her efforts to preserve the legacy of American veterans with the awarding of the Women in American History medal, Dr. Hill continues her father’s mission—to remember, to educate, and to give thanks.

“This is not just my father’s story,” she reflects. “It’s the story of a generation who sacrificed everything for freedom—and of faith that transcends even the darkest moments of war.”

The latest edition of “Telling His Story: POW #1000” will be available soon on Amazon.

In the meantime, readers can access the current version at www.amazon.com.

Dr. Janis Pardue Hill offers both virtual and in-person presentations for schools, libraries, historical societies, and public events. Her programs share personal stories and historical insights, fostering reflection and discussion. Available options include:

• Guest Speaker Engagements for educational institutions

• Keynote Presentations on World War II POWs in the Philippines

• Memoirs of World War II Soldiers

• Historical Programs for museums and libraries

• Virtual Classroom Q&A sessions and book talks

• Panel participation in historical symposiums

• Meet-the-Author events with book signings

For virtual or in-person speaking opportunities, or to learn about discounted book rates for bulk orders, please contact partners@worldwidepublicists.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, making the publication of her father’s notes and journals her top priority. She spent the last two years of her father’s life speaking with him and interviewing him about the extensive journals and notes he recorded after returning from the war. His recollections became “Telling His Story: POW #1000 – The Bataan Death March and Japanese POW Camps,” first published on December 2, 2022.

Since then, Dr. Hill has spoken at numerous events, including the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival, where her father’s memoir was one of the featured books. The book is currently in republication. Her first children’s book , “BUG: The Story of a Special Bug and His Little Boy,” showcases her continued passion for storytelling and education.

Dr. Hill and her husband, Charles A. Hill, Jr., live in North Louisiana, where they enjoy time with their two children, Trey and Amy, their son-in-law Bartley Bourgeois, and three grandchildren—Jack Hill, Harper Bourgeois, and Emma Bourgeois.

Contact Information

Miranda Wilson

Production Manager

Worldwide Publicists

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