My father was Cpc. Othello Christian Bruun (he was promoted to Lt.jg posthumously).

After my parents married, my father took duty in the orient, and I was born in Olongapo during their first tour of duty.   We went back to the Philippines for a second tour of duty, and my mother, sister and I were evacuated with all dependents in November of 1940.   So, the last time I saw my father was on the dock in Manila.

I believe he was went from Corregidor, to Cebu, and was captured on Mindanao in May 1941.   He spent time in Davao Penal Colony and then at Cabanatuan.   He was selected to be sent to Japan in 1944, and suffocated in the hold of the Oryoku Maru, December 15, 1944.   We were very fortunate to receive a visit from a Marine Colonel after the war.   He had been with my father when he died, so we knew what happened to him.   Many relatives of the POWs on the Hell Ships never knew.

My father was awarded the Navy Cross and the Bronze star for his activities in the opening days if WWII.   His picture and story appeared in the May 1942 issue of Life Magazine - in the Honor Roll section.

I have wonderful happy memories of him, and have always been very proud of him.   I have tried to keep his memory alive for his descendants.   I miss him still.   I always will.

Currently I am working on transcribing my parents letters and diaries for my children and grandchildren.   My daughter and I are working on an Oryoku Maru web site.   I hope it will be of value to those who are still looking for information about their uncles, cousins and grandfathers.   It will include a list of the POWs who boarded the Oryoku Maru - the list comes from The Oryoku Maru Story prepared by Charles M. Brown, Lt.Col, AUS Ret.   When the site is up, I am hoping that any survivors and their relatives will find it informative and presented with the deepest respect.

Sincerely,
Tucker (Bruun) St. John
tstjohn@earthlink.net