Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Arisan Maru

Photographed by James Hulse, April 27, 2022

1. Arisan Maru Marker

Inscription. On October 24, 1944 an unmarked Japanese freighter named the Arisan Maru was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in the South China Sea at Bashi Straits in latitude 20°41' north and longitude 118°27' east. Either the USS Shark II or USS Snook may have been responsible for the sinking.

The "Hell Ship" carried a cargo of 1800 POWs crammed shoulder to shoulder in the holds on their way to slave labor in Japan, after having been held captive for over two and a half years in the Philippines. The conditions aboard were inhumane.

There were only nine survivors from the Arisan Maru making it the worst maritime tragedy in U.S. History.

The survivors were M/SGT Calvin R. Graef, Sgt Avery E. Wilber, Sgt Philip Brodsky, Cpl Donald E. Meyer, Cpl Tony Cichy, Cpl Glenn S. Oliver, PFC Charles W. Hughes, Boatswain Martin Binder and Mr. Robert S. Overbeck.

This plaque is dedicated to the memory of our fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and uncles with gratitude for their sacrifices and undying love. We will not forget you. Dedicated October 24, 1999

Erected 1999 by National Museum of the Pacific War.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location.

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30° 16.353′ N, 98° 52.026′ W. Memorial is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Austin Street and North Washington Street. The marker is located in the central section of the WWII Veterans Memorial Courtyard which is a part of the National Museum of the Pacific War. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 311 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Hill Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Iowa (BB-61) (here, next to this marker); USS Euryale (AS22) (here, next to this marker); The Seven Sons of Samuel D. and Emma B. Grady (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Farenholt (DD491) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Hancock (CV/CVA-19) (here, next to this marker); Harry Hayes (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Denver (CL-58) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24) (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . Arisan Maru. Wikipedia (Submitted on November 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, April 27, 2022

2. Arisan Maru Marker

The marker is the third marker on the left of the large markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,435 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.