World War II Honoree

Susie J. Pitcher

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Des Moines, Iowa

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

SHE WAS A NAVY NURSE ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL IN MANILA, LUZON, THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED ON DECEMBER 8, 1941. JANUARY 2, 1942, SHE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AT SAINT SCHOLASTICA GIRLS SCHOOL WITH PATIENTS AND OTHER MEDICAL PERSONNEL. MARCH 1942, WAS SENT TO THE SANTO TOMAS INTERNMENT CAMP IN MANILA AS A PRISONER OF WAR. MARCH 14, 1943, SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO LOS BANOS INTERNMENT CAMP 42 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MANILA ON THE SHORES OF LAGUNA DE BAY. WHILE IMPRISONED SHE WORKED UNDER CRUEL CONDITIONS WHICH INCLUDED BARELY ENOUGH FOOD TO SUSTAIN LIFE, CARING FOR AND TREATING HER PATIENTS. SHE WAS LIBERATED FEBRUARY 22, 1945 FROM LOS BANOS INTERNMENT CAMP.