He went into the Military Service underage, with his Dad's permission.   He went into the Army as the Navy and the Air Corps wanted a high schools diploma or a birth certificate.   He went overseas through Angel Island, California, on the USS Republic, an old W.W.I ship captured from the Germans.   Enlisting in the US 31st Infantry, (Polar Bears), he took his basic training at "B" Range, Ft. William McKinley, all extended order drills, and graduated as the outstanding Soldier of the 2nd Battalion.   He was assigned to Co F, stationed at Estado Mayor, on the Pasig River.

Tillman volunteered for and was selected to attend CIC School and was assigned to 2nd BN Hqs. Det while attending CIC School.   Just before graduation the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.   His unit was moved out of Manila to B Range.   The 31st eventually moved into Bataan for defensive purposes.   Tillman participated in three major battles, Layac Junction, Abucay Hacienda (10 days of pure hell) and Mt Sumat, another rough time, and the 31st's last stand as an organized unit.   He was wounded at Abucay Hacienda and on the counter attack at Mt Sumat and on the withdrawal over the mountains escorting several other soldiers.   He did not receive his Purple Hearts until after the liberation.   He also received the Silver Star at Abucay Hacienda for volunteering to go behind enemy lines to recover some much needed weapons that been abandoned on one of the several advances and withdrawals by the front line troops, 31st and 45th Infantry Regiments.   The Silver Star never got on his records although he does have the SS Medal.   Four others went with him but as far as he knows, he is the only survivor now.

Tillman engaged in other minor operations in between battles, scouting and patrolling, sniper hunting, etc.   He was also was selected, along with an NCO, to go to the Philippine Army to teach Scouting and Patrolling and Escape and Evasion.   During these two weeks they were promoted to 2nd LTs and at the end of two weeks were given the opportunity to retain the commissions if they would stay with the PA.   Several took the commissions, Tillman declined, having had experiences with ill trained PA troops on the front lines.   He preferred to go back to his buddies where his back would be covered, if need be.

He was captured heading for Mariveles Mountains, along with two buddies, Woodrow Wilson and Joe Motoya.   Started and survived the Infamous Bataan Death March at the starting point, 9-15 April 1942.   Was slightly bayoneted at the start of the March, due to a slight disagreement with a Japanese soldier.   First POW Camp was O'Donnell, with up to 50 Americans and 1,000 Fil troops perishing daily.   He survived this "Hell Hole" but almost not, and went to Cabanatuan, (Hospital Side).   When well enough, went to Lipa, Batangas to build an Airfield, had a pick driven through his left hand and his foot broken.   Was sent to Bilibid, then to Cabanatuan, (Duty Side).   Sent on another detail to Las Pinas to build another Airfield.   From Las Pinas went to Japan on the "Hell Ship" Nissyo Maru in July 1944.   Assigned to Tanagawa Osaka Sub-Camp building a 2-man sub base.   In April 1945 was sent to A Fukuoka sub-camp, coal mines.   Weight dropped from 160 to 79-80 lbs. while a POW.   Self liberated, along with Lloyd Montgomery and Joe Moore after "A" bombs were dropped, to Konoya Airfield.   Eventually arrived U.S., 3 November 1945 after several problems;  spending nine Months at BAMC, Ft Sam in Rehab, not getting home to Merkel for some time later.

He continued his career in the Military, mostly USAF, retiring as an Air Chief Master Sergeant on a Combat Rated Disability after failing physical on orders to Danang, Vietnam.   Served in the Military as a Combat Rifleman. CIC, Instructor, Code Of Conduct and other fields, I&E Specialist , Duty NCO, First Sergeant, Company Commander as a CMS, Inspector General Office, Logistics, Director of Materiel, Supply Computer Systems Analyst Specialist, Equipment Management Officer (EMO), Base Inspector General Office, AFROTC Instructor, Florida State University, Sergeant Major, UK Subsistence Center, President, Board of Governors, NCO Open Mess and many other assignments during over 28 years of service.   He has earned and received 32 awards and decorations during his Military Career.   He continued his career in Civil Service.

Met and married Joyce Ann Counts in Tallahassee, Florida,
3 November 1951,

Tillman attended Florida State University where he met his Joyce, La Salle Law School, San Antonio College, Our Lady of The Lake University, St. Marys University and many military schools.   Tillman has been a Veterans Affairs Volunteer (VAVS) at Audie Murphy VAMC for 25 years and at Wilford Hall Hospital, LAFB since Desert Storm.   He has over 30,00 CERTIFIED hours at ALM and about 2,000 at Wilford Hall.   He has thousands more of non-certified hours.   Joyce has almost 15,000 certified hours.   Tillman and Joyce started the VAVS Program for the AXPOW, served as the first VAVS Reps for AXPOW.   Tillman also served as the National VAVS Representative and CO for the AXPOW, as National Director and as the Texas State VAVS Chairman for several years.   Joyce served as Texas Chairman for two years.   Tillman's recognition for his volunteer service include three National and several Greater San Antonio awards.   Joyce was a co-recipient for two of these.

He has written a book, by himself, with Joyce's and God's support, titled, "MY JAPANESE POW DIARY STORY", published by Vantage Press of New York, late 1997.   His story is from his Diary, as he lived it.   He says it is not a "Hero story nor a War story", but the story of a very young teenager's survival under the worse of the worst circumstances.   He has received many "kudos", even from non Ex-Pows that have read the book.   He gives Joyce all the credit for the book being done.   She kept him going when he was ready to stop, many times.   HIS BOOK WOULD NOT BE WRITTEN TODAY.   His diary is now at Florida State University, Institute of W.W.II History as of March 1999.   Joyce would want it that way and Tillman agrees that as an alumnus of FSU that is where it should be, along with other items FSU really wants and will get.   A copy of the book is also in the Institute.

Tillman's interest included officiating Football (14 years), golf (no too good), travel, LL Baseball, Peewee Football and number one now, HELPING FELLOW VETERANS THEIR FAMILIES AND VA STAFF.   He does this by volunteering ion Recreation Service, Voluntary Service, Chaplain Service, as an Ambassador, Patient Advocate on an International VERDICT Committee and In-Patient Pharmacy WHMC).   He has served as the ADBC VAVS Chairman since 1987.

(March 1999 Photo)
Tillman Rutledge was honored at the Audie L. Murphy Division's annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony for his contribution of more than 27,500 volunteer hours.