Valor

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Valor tells the remarkable story of an American hero, Lieutenant William Frederick "Bill" Harris, who endured the fall of the Philippines and brutal captivity under the Japanese during World War II. Captured at 25 during the Battle of Corregidor in May 1942, Harris escaped from dire circumstances by swimming eight hours through a shark-infested bay. His ordeal continued as he was shipwrecked on the southern coast of the Philippines, where he received shelter from a Filipino aristocrat and engaged in guerilla fighting. After navigating hostile waters for 29 days, he and his crew reached a friendly fishing village. However, their journey to Australia was thwarted when they were betrayed by islanders and captured by the Japanese. Harris spent two years in the notorious Ofuna prisoner-of-war camp, enduring starvation, torture, and beatings without ever surrendering. He taught himself Japanese to eavesdrop on guards and devised secret codes to communicate with fellow prisoners. After his liberation on August 30, 1945, he represented American Marine POWs during the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay before reuniting with his father after four long years. This captivating account, enriched with military documents, personal photos, and an unpublished memoir, reveals Harris' extraordinary experiences through his own words, masterfully presented by bestselling author Dan Hampton.