Memorial for U.S. POWs at site of Chugoku
Kempei-Tai HQ at Hiroshima
This memorial was dedicated in 1999 due to the efforts and personal funds of Hiroshima
resident and A-bomb survivor, Shigeaki Mori. Today, the location is an office
building.
Thomas C. Cartwright, the pilot of B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680 shot
down near Hiroshima survived the war. He wrote the words on the memorial. "The Atomic bomb devastated the city and its people with a force beyond any
known before. US Air Force and US Navy airmen interned as POWs at the Chugoku
Military Police Headquarters, which was located at this site, near the epicenter,
were among the victims of this holocaust. This plaque is placed in the memory
of these brave and honorable men. May this humble memorial be a perpetual reminder
of the savagery of war."
At least 12 American POWs were
killed in the atomic bomb blast while
detained
at
the
Kempei-Tai
(military police) headquarters near the hypocenter. All were killed by the atomic bomb on August 7, 1945. The prisoners were the crews from four
aircraft that went down in the area.
The remains of nine were recovered postwar and transported to the United States. On November 3, 1949 they were buried in a group burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at plot 82 grave 156, the group burial includes:
Lt. Raymond Porter, pilot SBC2 Helldiver 21079
Hugh H. Atkinson, radio B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
John A. Long, Jr. gunner B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
Buford J. Ellison, engineer B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
Durden W. Looper co-pilot, B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
Ralph J. Neal, gunner B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
James M. Ryan, bombardier B-24J "Lonesome Lady" 44-40680
Charles O. Baumgartner, gunner B-24J "Taloa" 44-40716
Julius Molnar, gunner B-24J "Taloa"44-40716
Also known to have died at the prison from the atomic bomb
John J. Hantschel, pilot F6F Hellcat 77934
Norman R. Brissette, gunner SBC2 Helldiver 21079
References
Three U.S. POWs added to roster of Hiroshima Deaths July 17, 2009
Hiroshima historian honors U.S. POWs who died in bombing / down as of 2007
Credit: Shigeaki Mori Date: 1999
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