ROCEK-GEORGE

George Moon Rocek EMC (SS) USN survived the sinking of the USS SCULPIN SS-191 and was taken onboard the Japanese Aircraft Carrier IJN CHUYO. The CHUYO was torpedoed by the USS SAILFISH SS-191 enroute to Japan. Rocek was the single POW survivor of that sinking. He was transferred to another ship and delivered to a secret Japanese Navy Interrogation POW Camp, Ofuna, in Honshu. Ofuna was unknown to the Allies until after World War II and then, found to be an extreme abuse and torture facility. After five months there, he was transferred to POW Camp Ashio, also in Honshu Island. Ashio was in fact a Copper Mine that had been worked for many years. The POW's performed slave labor in this mine until released on August 4, 1945.

Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret.