Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Othello
Christian
Bruun
POW (WWII) MIA
July 4, 1903

–

December 15, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Othello Bruun was captured on the island of Cebu in 1942. On December 13, 1944, he was one of more than 1,619 prisoners loaded into the holds of the Oryoku Maru. Being unmarked, the ship was bombed and strafed by American planes from the aircraft carrier Hornet on both December 14th and 15th. On the morning of December 15, 1944, the Oryoku Maru sank in Subic Bay.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Warrant Officer

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – December 15, 1944
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Chief Warrant Officer Othello Christian Bruun (NSN: 0-71942), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity on or about 15 December 1944.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Pay Clerk (SC)

    Division:

    Supply Corps, 16th Naval District, Cavite, Philippine Islands

    Action Date:

    December 10, 1941
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 302 (May 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Pay Clerk (SC) Othello Christian Bruun (NSN: 0-71942), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Supply Corps, SIXTEENTH Naval District, Cavite, Philippine Islands, following the Japanese bombing attack on the Cavite Naval Yard beginning on 10 December 1941. Chief Pay Clerk Bruun deliberately braved the danger of exploding munitions and burning buildings to remove official funds from the Navy Yard to a place of safety. In the latter part of the month Chief Pay Clerk Bruun obtained funds from Manila under hazardous circumstances during an intensive bombing, in order to pay off in full, the 6,000 former Navy Yard employees. The conduct of Chief Pay Clerk Bruun throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.