Nippon Steel and the companies it acquired used throughout WWII over 6,000 American and Allied POWs as slave labor in its mines, mills, factories, and transportation hubs. At least 600 POWs died in their care.
Over this year, from September 2026 to August 2027 we will highlight and honor the Americans who are known to have died in the POW camps associated with Nippon Steel. We hope you will visit the Find A Grave sites and leave a flower.
You will note that in September 1945, after Japan's surrender, men died mainly from being hit by relief supplies being dropped to the camps by American planes.
Nippon Steel, which now owns it longtime rival US Steel, has never acknowledged or memorialized their POW laborers. Two POW sites have even been designated UNESCO World Industrial Heritage locations. Again, there is no mention of the POW slave labor there.
As Nippon Steel tries to show its affinity to its American workers, it behooves them to honor the men who died working for their contribution to Imperial Japan's war effort.
To remind Nippon Steel of its obligations, you may want to send the list below with a note to "never forget" to Nippon Steel's US public affairs office: info@us.nipponsteel.com
HOWARD, Ray L. (CIV)
Unit: CPNAB Wake, civilian
Date of Death: September 26, 1943
Cause of Death: Cardiac Asthma
Camp: Fukuoka No. 3 Branch Camp (Yahata/Tobata/Kokura)
Notes: forced to work although could only drag himself on ground
Gravesite / Memorial: Possibly cremated at the camp
SNYDER, George W. (FM1c)
Unit: USN,USS Grenadier SS-210
Service Number: 2243639.0
Date of Death: September 23, 1944
Cause of Death: Chronic Enteritis and acute Pneumonia
Camp: Fukuoka No. 3 Branch Camp (Yahata/Tobata/Kokura)
Burial Site:
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73945969/george-william-sn
HONEYCUTT, James W. (Seaman 1st CL)
Unit: USN
Service Number: 2624599.0
Date of Death: September 07, 1945
Cause of Death: Pulmonary tuberculosis
Camp: Fukuoka No. 7 Branch Camp (Futase)
Burial Site: Nash County, North Carolina
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56747878/james-willard-honeycutt
BEMIS, Henry R. (PVT)
Unit: 59th Coast Artillery Regiment
Service Number: 19056567.0
Date of Death: September 09, 1945
Cause of Death: Traumatic event - unknown, likely Killed in Food Drop
Camp: Fukuoka No. 22 Branch Camp (Honami)
Burial Site: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Taguig, Southern Manila District, National Capital Region, Philippines
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56769611/henry-r-bemis
AULDS, James Victor (SGT)
Unit: USAA,16th BS 27th BG,Bataan
Service Number: 7002715.0
Date of Death: September 11, 1945
Cause of Death: Killed in Food Drop
Camp: Hakodate No. 2 Branch Camp (Akahira)
Burial Site: Willhite Cemetery Downsville, Union Parish, Louisiana, USA
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32517210/james-victor-aulds
BEAVER, Darrell L. (PVT)
Unit: USMC,1st Def Bn,Wake
Service Number: 305601.0
Date of Death: September 11, 1945
Cause of Death: Killed in Food Drop
Camp: Hakodate No. 2 Branch Camp (Akahira)
Burial Site: Mount Hope Cemetery Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa, USA
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107947317/darrell-laverne-beaver
PIGGOTT, Harold H. (CPL)
Unit: USMCR
Service Number: 253076.0
Date of Death: September 15, 1945
Cause of Death: Fracture of the cranium and legs, Killed in Food Drop
Camp: Fukuoka No. 7 Branch Camp (Futase)
Burial Site: Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA
Notes: Died at University Hospital in Fukuoka
Gravesite / Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3621087/harold-harvey-piggott
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