NIPPON STEEL DEATHS - November-1943-44
In the over three years that Nippon Steel used thousands of American and Allied POWs as slave labor, three Americans were recorded as dying in an October. Two were military POWs who died in 1944 and the third was a civilian who died in 1943.
The civilian POW was Orlie PFOST, who had the misfortune to be among the construction workers on Wake Island building out a U.S. Naval facility when Imperial Japan began its attack on December 8, 1941. After a historic battle where the US Marines held off a Japanese Armada for two weeks, the embittered Japanese occupied the Pacific atoll declaring everyone present a military prisoner of war, even though the majority were not. (See Bonnie Gilbert's website and book}
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. Hundreds more likely did of illness and accident after liberation.
Nippon Steel, which now owns its longtime rival US Steel, has never acknowledged or memorialized their POW laborers. Two Nippon Steel mills that used POWs have even been designated UNESCO World Industrial Heritage locations. Again, there is no mention of the POW slave labor at these facilities that continue to operate today.
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
At the very leas, visit POW's Find A Grave site and leave a virtual flower or message.
PFOST, Orlie E. (CIV)
Surrendered: Wake Island
Unit: BYD,CPNAB Wake
Date of Death: November 3, 1943
Cause of Death: Acute Leukaemia
Camp: Fukuoka No. 3 Branch Camp (Yahata/Tobata/Kokura)
Burial Site: Meridian Cemetery Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, USA
Gravesite: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40990025/orlie-everett-pfost
STEWART, Leon R. (SGT)
Surrendered: Corregidor
Unit: 4th MARINES
Service Number: 216314.0
Date of Death: November 4, 1944
Cause of Death: Malnutrition, beri beri and pneumonia
Camp: Fukuoka No. 7 Branch Camp (Futase)
Burial Site: Unknown
Gravesite: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79324932/leon-radimar-stewart
ABLES, Hugh F. (PVT)
Surrendered: Corregidor
Unit: US Army Air Corps, USAFFE Hq
Service Number: 6290021.0
Date of Death: November 27, 1944
Cause of Death: Acute Pneumonia
Camp: Fukuoka No. 3 Branch Camp (Yahata/Tobata/Kokura)
Burial Site: Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Gravesite: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/252330/hugh-f-ables
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