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Miss U: Angel of the Underground
Miss U, first published in 1948, is the autobiographical account of Margaret Utinsky's experiences in the Philippines during the Second World War. In addition to her work as a nurse caring for wounded soldiers, Utinsky was instrumental in setting up an underground network to smuggle food, medicine, and money to Allied prisoners-of-war held at Camps O'Donnell and Cabanatuan (many of whom were survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March). Her code-name in the network was "Miss U." However, she was eventually captured by the Japanese and subjected to 32 days of imprisonment and torture at Fort Santiago in Manila. Following her release, and after six weeks in a hospital for treatment of her injuries, she left Manila and returned to the Bataan Peninsula, again serving as a nurse to guerrilla fighters. After American forces regained the Philippines, Utinsky was attached to the U.S. Army's Counter Intelligence Corps to help identify collaborators and those involved in the torture of prisoners. With the end of the war, she returned to the United States, and was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1946. Margaret Elizabeth Doolin Utinsky (August 26, 1900 – August 30, 1970) was an American nurse who worked with the Filipino resistance movement to provide medicine, food, and other items to aid Allied prisoners of war in the Philippines during World War II. She was recognized in 1946 with the Medal of Freedom for her actions.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 3, 2017
Wow!!!
I have read many books of too many wars,; this is one of the best! Thank you, Margaret Utinsky, not only for all you did, but for your fantastic memory and the telling of a horrible time in history.
I have read many books of too many wars,; this is one of the best! Thank you, Margaret Utinsky, not only for all you did, but for your fantastic memory and the telling of a horrible time in history.
October 10, 2017
Great find
I came across this book quite by accident and so glad I did . Besides filling a considerable gap in my knowledge of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, this memoir was incredibly bold, courageous and humbling. What a woman.
I came across this book quite by accident and so glad I did . Besides filling a considerable gap in my knowledge of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, this memoir was incredibly bold, courageous and humbling. What a woman.
April 25, 2020
Good book
Very good read. Never really studied the war in the Philippines. This was a good read. Thank you Miss U
Very good read. Never really studied the war in the Philippines. This was a good read. Thank you Miss U
January 1, 2019
We’ve all heard the stories of how brutal the Japanese treated male prisoners and how badly they treated women; however, this is the first story where a woman feels the full brunt of her captors. I cannot believe I’ve never heard of this brave, resourceful woman.
After reading the story I did a little more research for cross reference. Oddly, there is very little of what she did after the war. Even Wikipedia page doesn’t address her birth name of Peggy Doolin. Interesting.
If anyone has additional sources I could peruse, please let me know. For a woman to have performed all these humanitarian activities one would think there would be a host of reference material available whether it be pro or con to her efforts.
Three Stars-at the moment.
After reading the story I did a little more research for cross reference. Oddly, there is very little of what she did after the war. Even Wikipedia page doesn’t address her birth name of Peggy Doolin. Interesting.
If anyone has additional sources I could peruse, please let me know. For a woman to have performed all these humanitarian activities one would think there would be a host of reference material available whether it be pro or con to her efforts.
Three Stars-at the moment.
April 15, 2020
Amazing book of courage.
November 11, 2017
Worth reading
This true story of a woman's brave work helping Ameericans captured by the Japanese during WWII is a page turner. She spares no words in revealing the cruel horror of treatment by the Japanese on American service personnel and those who tried to get food and medicine and even clothing to the prisoners. A number of the Japs were actually Americans who joined the army of Japan to fight against their adopted or native country. Mrs U, as she was known, was a brave soul who set out to help any way she could. The Philippine citizens were horribly affected by the war but many joined with the American cause which was to keep the captured groups alive until the Americans could return. Her description of the Batan and Corregidor prisons March was heart rending. I recommend this true story of great heroism to readers of history and to anyone interested in a touching account of a brave and selfless woman in the most dangerous of times.
This true story of a woman's brave work helping Ameericans captured by the Japanese during WWII is a page turner. She spares no words in revealing the cruel horror of treatment by the Japanese on American service personnel and those who tried to get food and medicine and even clothing to the prisoners. A number of the Japs were actually Americans who joined the army of Japan to fight against their adopted or native country. Mrs U, as she was known, was a brave soul who set out to help any way she could. The Philippine citizens were horribly affected by the war but many joined with the American cause which was to keep the captured groups alive until the Americans could return. Her description of the Batan and Corregidor prisons March was heart rending. I recommend this true story of great heroism to readers of history and to anyone interested in a touching account of a brave and selfless woman in the most dangerous of times.
November 7, 2017
Unbelievable
Hard to believe that a woman like her existed. Such a courageous, brave, compassionate, strong and committed woman towards American soldiers. It is hard for me to understand how she could endure. The torture and personal deprivation that she was subjected to is unbelievable. Her description of evil and horror that she saw daily made me realize what a sheltered and safe place I live in. I do not know any person who could do what she did. She is an American hero and wish she was alive today.
Hard to believe that a woman like her existed. Such a courageous, brave, compassionate, strong and committed woman towards American soldiers. It is hard for me to understand how she could endure. The torture and personal deprivation that she was subjected to is unbelievable. Her description of evil and horror that she saw daily made me realize what a sheltered and safe place I live in. I do not know any person who could do what she did. She is an American hero and wish she was alive today.
November 10, 2017
History
What a great history lesson. It was amazing to realize what some of these brave souls had to endure to survive.
What a great history lesson. It was amazing to realize what some of these brave souls had to endure to survive.
September 26, 2017
Miss U
I wish everyone was made to read this book ! People have forgotten just what our soldiers did my out country! To think now they want to not stand for our country's anthem! Should be arrested !
I wish everyone was made to read this book ! People have forgotten just what our soldiers did my out country! To think now they want to not stand for our country's anthem! Should be arrested !
October 9, 2017
A very interesting record of the war against the Japanese during WW11.
A vDefinit
Definitely. A good record for the history. Bo
books.ery. Interesting record of the long fight against the Japanese. during WW11.
A vDefinit
Definitely. A good record for the history. Bo
books.ery. Interesting record of the long fight against the Japanese. during WW11.
July 3, 2017
Miss u
Good read. The truth of war. Nor the glamor they show in movies.so much to worry about with just trying to survive.
Good read. The truth of war. Nor the glamor they show in movies.so much to worry about with just trying to survive.
October 18, 2017
So heart wretching
An incredible account with graphic detail of so many brave selfless people whose only thoughts and actions are to help others and their enduring spirit.
An incredible account with graphic detail of so many brave selfless people whose only thoughts and actions are to help others and their enduring spirit.
February 21, 2019
Miss U is the 1949 memoir by Peggy Utinsky, aka Margaret, who was instrumental in coordinating a network of expatriates and Filipinos in Manila to supply food, money, and other relief to prisoners of war and guerrillas during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942-1945. Utinsky was heralded by many as being instrumental in saving lives, particularly the lives of prisoners of war in Camp O'Donnell and in Cabanatuan. Utinsky lived in Manila from 1927-1945, having married a U.S. Army engineer who was building installations on Corregidor. She worked as a Red Cross nurse and disobeyed orders to depart Manila at the outbreak of hostilities and remained behind; first hiding, then creating a false identity of a Lithuanian national. During her efforts, she learned her husband died in Cabanatuan, just prior to when her efforts focused on that prison camp. Many in her network were tortured and killed, and she spent over a month in Fort Santiago where she endured torture and witnessed various atrocities. When her cover was blown for good, Utinsky fled to the hills of Bataan along with the toddler daughter of Claire Phillips, aka High Pockets. She operated as a field nurse to guerrillas and maneuvered with them to link up with Gen. MacArthur's invading forces. She dared to return to Manila in the midst of fighting in February 1945 and worked with Army counterintelligence to arrest people who had betrayed the United States during the war. One of her enduring contributions to the effort was lists of prisoners in various camps as well as lists of atrocities committed by Japanese officers and others. One interesting tidbit is that a fellow prisoner at Fort Santiago tells her that Japanese General Yamashita was present observing the torture one day. Yamashita maintained in his war crimes trial (and his lawyers were authentically sympathetic to his claim) that he knew of no such actions of soldiers under his command. If he was present while women civilians were being tortured, then it's damning evidence that he was always a liar. Utinsky was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1946 and published her memoir in 1948.
An oddity about the book is how it contrasts with Claire Phillips' (aka: Dorothy Fuentes, Agent High Pockets) memoir from 1949 (which was made into a movie in 1951). This is significant to me because there is a room in the U.S. Embassy Manila's historic chancery named after Claire Phillips whereas most people have never heard the name "Utinsky," unless they have read Phillips' memoir. Utinsky chronicles her keeping Phillips' daughter Dian after Phillips was captured by the Japanese.
Utinsky devotes merely one paragraph to Fuentes, describing her as a "girl" married to a Filipino who sailed away prior to the war and operated as "High Pockets." She also writes that Fuentes and her husband settled on the West Coast after the war and she wishes them well. However, Phillips claims (with some evidence) that she married a Captain Phillips on Bataan in December 1941. The story she tells of that time period is detailed and seems credible up to the point where her husband is captured. Phillips is heralded for adopting the false persona of Dorothy Fuentes to open the Tsubaki Club in Manila where she gleaned intelligence and money to pass on to guerrillas and POWs. Phillips' account seems too detailed to be entirely fabricated, although parts of it certainly are. There is evidence of the Tsubaki Club really existing and Miss U's acknowledgment of Phillips being in the inner circle gives her some legitimacy, indeed Phillips was apparently rescued by U.S. troops from a labor camp in February 1945, although Utinsky writes only that she was interned at Santo Tomas (in Phillips' account this was after she was rescued from another prison, which makes sense historically). Phillips writes nothing about Dian ending up with Miss U, writing instead that she had her helper take the child straight to Col. Boone. For readers of Phillips diary wondering how Col. Boone kept Dian alive in the hills, Utinsky's memoir gives the answer-- Utinsky was always the caretaker. (Boone wrote the foreword for Phillips' memoir testifying to its veracity, something that perhaps weighed too heavily in 1949 given scant physical evidence to the contrary.)
It's interesting in the psychological bias I have felt reading this book knowing I give tours that honor Claire Phillips and nobody knows Utinsky. But her accounts are quite vivid and believable. Her descriptions of the terrain in Bataan, in particular, seem to jive with reality known only to someone who has been there. (I drove quite a bit of Bataan in the weeks prior to reading this book.) I give it four stars out of five, probably because of that psychological anchor bias towards Phillips and skepticism about what might possibly be factually inaccurate. But it's a must-read for anyone interested in WWII Philippines.
An oddity about the book is how it contrasts with Claire Phillips' (aka: Dorothy Fuentes, Agent High Pockets) memoir from 1949 (which was made into a movie in 1951). This is significant to me because there is a room in the U.S. Embassy Manila's historic chancery named after Claire Phillips whereas most people have never heard the name "Utinsky," unless they have read Phillips' memoir. Utinsky chronicles her keeping Phillips' daughter Dian after Phillips was captured by the Japanese.
Utinsky devotes merely one paragraph to Fuentes, describing her as a "girl" married to a Filipino who sailed away prior to the war and operated as "High Pockets." She also writes that Fuentes and her husband settled on the West Coast after the war and she wishes them well. However, Phillips claims (with some evidence) that she married a Captain Phillips on Bataan in December 1941. The story she tells of that time period is detailed and seems credible up to the point where her husband is captured. Phillips is heralded for adopting the false persona of Dorothy Fuentes to open the Tsubaki Club in Manila where she gleaned intelligence and money to pass on to guerrillas and POWs. Phillips' account seems too detailed to be entirely fabricated, although parts of it certainly are. There is evidence of the Tsubaki Club really existing and Miss U's acknowledgment of Phillips being in the inner circle gives her some legitimacy, indeed Phillips was apparently rescued by U.S. troops from a labor camp in February 1945, although Utinsky writes only that she was interned at Santo Tomas (in Phillips' account this was after she was rescued from another prison, which makes sense historically). Phillips writes nothing about Dian ending up with Miss U, writing instead that she had her helper take the child straight to Col. Boone. For readers of Phillips diary wondering how Col. Boone kept Dian alive in the hills, Utinsky's memoir gives the answer-- Utinsky was always the caretaker. (Boone wrote the foreword for Phillips' memoir testifying to its veracity, something that perhaps weighed too heavily in 1949 given scant physical evidence to the contrary.)
It's interesting in the psychological bias I have felt reading this book knowing I give tours that honor Claire Phillips and nobody knows Utinsky. But her accounts are quite vivid and believable. Her descriptions of the terrain in Bataan, in particular, seem to jive with reality known only to someone who has been there. (I drove quite a bit of Bataan in the weeks prior to reading this book.) I give it four stars out of five, probably because of that psychological anchor bias towards Phillips and skepticism about what might possibly be factually inaccurate. But it's a must-read for anyone interested in WWII Philippines.
March 31, 2018
This Non-Fiction book was hard to read, with descriptions of war, but very good. “Miss U", first published in 1948, is the autobiographical account of Margaret Utinsky's experiences in the Philippines during the WWII. In addition to her work as a nurse caring for wounded soldiers, Utinsky was instrumental in setting up an underground network to smuggle food, medicine, and money to Allied prisoners-of-war held at Camps O'Donnell and Cabanatuan (many of whom were survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March). Her code-name in the network was "Miss U." However, she was eventually captured by the Japanese and subjected to 32 days of imprisonment and torture at Fort Santiago in Manila. Following her release, and after six weeks in a hospital for treatment of her injuries, she left Manila and returned to the Bataan Peninsula, again serving as a nurse to guerrilla fighters. After American forces regained the Philippines, Utinsky was attached to the U.S. Army's Counter Intelligence Corps to help identify collaborators and those involved in the torture of prisoners. With the end of the war, she returned to the United States, and was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1946.
April 20, 2019
Never give up, never quit
Miss U as she was known ,was an American nurse in the Phillipines. When the Japanese took over she hid, than she assumed an identity of a Lithuanian and smuggled supplies to the American soldiers in Japanese prison camps . She was found out and the Japanese torte red and beat her and than let her go. She again begin smuggling supplies to the American prisoners until she heard the Japanese were looking for her. She than joined the guerrilla forces and stayed with them until the American Army liberated the Phillipines. She suffered more than it seems possible for one person, but never gave up.
Miss U as she was known ,was an American nurse in the Phillipines. When the Japanese took over she hid, than she assumed an identity of a Lithuanian and smuggled supplies to the American soldiers in Japanese prison camps . She was found out and the Japanese torte red and beat her and than let her go. She again begin smuggling supplies to the American prisoners until she heard the Japanese were looking for her. She than joined the guerrilla forces and stayed with them until the American Army liberated the Phillipines. She suffered more than it seems possible for one person, but never gave up.
January 11, 2018
F!orence Nightingale ........I love a'll books that are historical. Miss U is difficult to read but so worth it. I did not think I could finish it. War is hell, and real.
WhY I find in all the books I have read of Hitler the holocaust,Japanese etc. Civil war, I do not understand such evil and hatred, and it's like ok....that's done. Now move on. It's ok it's over Who wins? No one. God gave man free will? Really!
WhY I find in all the books I have read of Hitler the holocaust,Japanese etc. Civil war, I do not understand such evil and hatred, and it's like ok....that's done. Now move on. It's ok it's over Who wins? No one. God gave man free will? Really!
January 15, 2018
Amazing story of an Amazing woman
Miss U is a story that shows the lengths that one woman went to to aid her fellow Americans in the Philippines when the Japanese army had captured the country . She helped the prisoners of war by providing food , medical supplies and money. She worked with the guerrillas in their efforts serving as a nurse to them all while she carried and protected a baby she had promised to take care of for the mother.
Miss U is a story that shows the lengths that one woman went to to aid her fellow Americans in the Philippines when the Japanese army had captured the country . She helped the prisoners of war by providing food , medical supplies and money. She worked with the guerrillas in their efforts serving as a nurse to them all while she carried and protected a baby she had promised to take care of for the mother.
September 26, 2022
Reads like a novel
Interesting story of an American nurse caught up in the Philippine resistance of WWII. Hard to verify most incidents she reports, bur her many stories are typical of what happed to others. Book’s forward was written by Gen Wainwright giving credibility along with a letter from an interned chaplain. Utinsky got the Medal of Freedom for her actions. She was undoubtedly of great service to American POW’s and did so at great personal risk.
Interesting story of an American nurse caught up in the Philippine resistance of WWII. Hard to verify most incidents she reports, bur her many stories are typical of what happed to others. Book’s forward was written by Gen Wainwright giving credibility along with a letter from an interned chaplain. Utinsky got the Medal of Freedom for her actions. She was undoubtedly of great service to American POW’s and did so at great personal risk.
December 27, 2017
Very eye-opening story
This story will astound most of its readers. We can’t imagine what & how a seemingly average person can survive. Miss U is not your average person, however. She was an extraordinary woman living in an extraordinarily horrific place & time. Read her story. Your only regret will be not meeting her in person.
This story will astound most of its readers. We can’t imagine what & how a seemingly average person can survive. Miss U is not your average person, however. She was an extraordinary woman living in an extraordinarily horrific place & time. Read her story. Your only regret will be not meeting her in person.
May 5, 2018
Great Read! Miss U - WWII experiences in the Philippines.
I couldn't put this book down. I read in 2 days. It flowed smoothly from 1 event to the next. The author's descriptions enabled me to visualize each experience without being to wordy. I look forward to reading this book at least one more time .
I couldn't put this book down. I read in 2 days. It flowed smoothly from 1 event to the next. The author's descriptions enabled me to visualize each experience without being to wordy. I look forward to reading this book at least one more time .
June 15, 2020
Untold Atrocities Revealed by this Angel
A true account by the woman who witnessed and persevered through the horrible events performed at the hands of the Japanese in the Philippines. Never forget our warriors there and throughout history as the fought and died for our freedoms.
A true account by the woman who witnessed and persevered through the horrible events performed at the hands of the Japanese in the Philippines. Never forget our warriors there and throughout history as the fought and died for our freedoms.
January 6, 2018
I highly recommend this autobiography. It is short quick read, but an story which captures your attention and holds you to the end. It shines a light on the situation in the Philippines during WWII. A must read!
January 10, 2018
Beyond duty
There is no means of understanding the camps and treatment of captured Americans without miss U’s story. I am grateful for her dedication to life and service. What an example to all humanity!
There is no means of understanding the camps and treatment of captured Americans without miss U’s story. I am grateful for her dedication to life and service. What an example to all humanity!
July 22, 2018
A merciless enemy
How they must have hated Americans. What terrible cruelty the enemy felt entitled to give out to one and all. This is a first person account of mans inhumanity to man. Wonderfully written.
How they must have hated Americans. What terrible cruelty the enemy felt entitled to give out to one and all. This is a first person account of mans inhumanity to man. Wonderfully written.
August 26, 2018
History lesson
It took a brave woman to do what Mrs U did. She gave hope to many & let them know they were not forgotten. Thank you to her and her family for being heroes. And thank you to today's heroes working in similar undercover ways.
It took a brave woman to do what Mrs U did. She gave hope to many & let them know they were not forgotten. Thank you to her and her family for being heroes. And thank you to today's heroes working in similar undercover ways.
December 23, 2018
Epitome of courage, honor, commitment.
This woman defied long odds to help the American forces, Filipinos and others caught up in the fall of the Philippines early in the war. If she isn't the embodiment of a MOH recipient, I don't know what is.
This woman defied long odds to help the American forces, Filipinos and others caught up in the fall of the Philippines early in the war. If she isn't the embodiment of a MOH recipient, I don't know what is.
December 30, 2018
I hate to put anything less than 5 stars on autobiographies - especially when the subject is so incredible. The story of Miss U is amazing, and the things she endured and accomplished are shocking. Unfortunately, the writing style did make it difficult for me to follow the story at times.
February 15, 2019
Authentic and forceful
A reality saga of the Japanese atrocities in the Phillipines during WW 2. Informative, yet saddening recounting of the horrors inflicted by Japanese criminals under the disguise of being soldiers.
A reality saga of the Japanese atrocities in the Phillipines during WW 2. Informative, yet saddening recounting of the horrors inflicted by Japanese criminals under the disguise of being soldiers.
Read
June 2, 2019Astonishing bit of WWII history that opened my eyes to the support the US had from the Philippine people. These people risked life and limb to help the American soldiers and civilians trapped on the island by the Japanese
September 16, 2019
A truly fascinating story about willpower, courage, and toughness. I cannot imagine how those that beat and injured her could do that to anyone. Reading this and high pockets gives one a dark understanding of the terrible things mankind can do to one another.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews