Late Tolland Veteran Memorialized For Enduring World War II 'Hell'

TOLLAND, CT — One late veteran with Tolland connections is known for surviving what placed many into the Memorial Day annals.

According to the Tolland Historical Society Darrell Stark (1923-2016) grew up in Oklahoma during the Great Depression, was a Japanese prisoner of war, survived Malaria and the Bataan Death March and the "Hell Ships."

His life is documented in his book. "My Journey As I Remember."

According to the book, Stark enlisted in the United States Army and requested duty in the Philippine Islands. He was in the Philippines when World War II began and fought in three of the four major battles in Bataan before Allied troops surrendered.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the Hell Ships were the requisitioned merchant vessels that the Japanese Navy packed with Allied prisoners of war while relocating them to camps. The ships, below deck, were "floating dungeons," where POWs were denied air, space, light, sanitary facilities, and adequate food and water, according to the command.

Thirst and heat claimed many lives in the end, as did summary executions and beatings. The ships were also vulnerable to friendly fire from U.S. and Allied naval ships, submarines and aircraft, according to the command.

Stark was eventually released and made his way to Tolland County and eventually became the Deputy Jailer of the Tolland County Jail.

He served for about 20 years until the facility closed with him becoming the last Jailer.

He died in 2016 at 92.