Name/Title
Harrodsburg Tankers: Archibald RueEntry/Object ID
2024.8.41Description
Second Lieutenant Archibald B. “Arch” Rue joined the Harrodsburg National Guard with his brother Edwin some time before the unit was activated in November 1941. He was taken prisoner on April 9, 1941. He survived the Death March and was held at Camp O'Donnell and Cabanatuan. He was sent to Bilibid Prison as and eventually put on board the Oryoku Maru for transport to Japan. The ship was attacked by Navy planes seventeen times before sunset and six bombs hit the ship. The next day the Navy resumed the attack. The POWs were finally swam ashore near Olongapa, Subic Bay, Luzon as the Navy planes realized it was a prisoner transport and stopped the attack. They surviving prisoners were moved by train to Manilia and put aboard the Enoura Maru bound for Formosa. The ship was bombed and sunk by American planes on January 13, 1945, while it was still docked. Two days later, he boarded the Brazil Maru enroute to Moji, Japan. By the time he arrived and was sent to Fukuoka Camp #22 but soon was ill. He died of Acute Enteritis on April 21, 1945. After the war, at the request of his family, his remains were returned to the United States and buried in Arlington National Cemetery.Collection
Harrodsburg TankersCreated By
dak@mcplib.infoCreate Date
July 31, 2024Updated By
dak@mcplib.infoUpdate Date
July 31, 2024
