Russell B. Ormseth,
USMC

Guam - Zentsuji - Osaka

Contributions by Carol Jung, daughter

Main Tsuruga Camp About Us

Semper Fi

Marine Sgt. Russell Ormseth was 22 years old when, on December 12, 1941, he was captured by the Japanese on the island of Guam where he had been transferred after first serving in Tientsin, China, in 1940. He was then sent to Zentsuji POW Camp in January 1942, ending up at Osaka #5 in Tsuruga where he was liberated on September 3, 1945.

This small collection tells the story of this young Marine from Canby, Minnesota -- a story typical of the many other Marines who were prisoners of the Japanese during World War II.

  

Canbyans on War Fronts
Spanish Catholic prelates describe gallant American defense of Guam
Canby Man Believed Prisoner of Japs
Japs Hold 3 City Marines: 4 Others From State are Prisoners

Other Marines held:
Walter J. Gruber
Knute C. Hanson
Harry Kaligren
Robert James Lee
Marvin A. Roslansky
Alfred A. Schlegel
Frank R. Andersenn
John D. Mucciacciaro
John A. Mueller
John R. Podlesny
Russell Ormseth Jap Prisoner, Navy Says: Navy Makes Public List of Probable Jap War Prisoners
Parents Receive First Letter From Russ Ormseth in Japan
Jap Prisoner of War Radios Home "Feeling Fine"
International Red Cross Learns: Japs Treating Ormseth Well


Receive Picture of Ormseth in Japan: Photostatic Copy Sent To Parents by Sister of Another War Prisoner

Names on photo:
George Gonlick
J. S. Ward
Russ Ormseth
C. B. Waller
E. S. Perkins
Minnesotans Get Aid in Jap Prison Camps
Ormseth Transferred To New Prison Camp: Parents Get Indirect Word of Son, Prisoner in Japan
Got Second Message from Russ Ormseth: Jap Prisoner Says He Hopes To Hunt Pheasants Here Next Year
Liberation Near For Jap Prisoner
Russell Ormseth Liberated; Aboard Ship on Way Home

Telegram stating Ormseth was admitted to U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA

Certification
Welcome Home letter from President Truman, Nov. 26, 1945
City Plans Welcome For Russell Ormseth: Former Jap Prisoner Arrives in San Francisco Tuesday; Stores To Close
Letter regarding procuring for the Tokyo War Crimes Trials affidavits from about 9,000 American POWs
Ormseth Testifies Against Jap Guard

Russell Ormseth Describes Existence in Jap Prison Camps

Ormseth recalls WWII as Japanese prisoner of war
  VFW letter to Minnesota Governor Ventura regarding Ormseth

Excerpt from the book, Caged Dragons: An American P.O.W. in WWII Japan by Robert E. Haney: