A haunting chapter of World War II is being revisited as the United States undertakes a solemn mission in the depths of Subic Bay. Teams are meticulously excavating a sunken Japanese transport ship, hoping to bring home the remains of over 250 American prisoners of war who perished within its hull.
The vessel, known as the Oryoku Maru, became infamous as a “hell ship” – a chilling designation for the vessels used by Japan to transport Allied POWs under horrific conditions. In December 1944, tragedy compounded tragedy when the ship was mistakenly attacked by American aircraft, ultimately sinking in Philippine waters with approximately 2,500 POWs aboard.
This recovery operation, the largest of its kind undertaken by the Defense Prisoners of War Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA), began in February after years of painstaking preparation. Detailed surveys and the creation of a three-dimensional image of the wreck were crucial first steps.
“We estimate there might be over 250 missing Americans in the hold of the ship,” explained DPAA Director Kelly McKeague. Divers are now focused on two specific holds, working with the grim understanding that they are searching for the final resting place of fellow Americans.
The mission transcends mere recovery; it’s a fulfillment of a deeply held promise. McKeague emphasized that the United States is committed to locating, recovering, and identifying the remains of all Americans missing from past conflicts, a sacred duty to those who served and sacrificed.
The DPAA has received significant support from both the Philippine national and local governments, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, recognizing the sensitivity and complexity of the undertaking. Collaboration with the National Museum of the Philippines, which has extensive experience with Subic Bay wrecks, has also been vital.
This work in the Philippines is not isolated. The DPAA maintains a year-round presence, with teams also operating in Leyte and Mindoro, strengthening the bonds of cooperation between the two nations. The agency’s commitment extends beyond POW recovery to include the crucial task of clearing unexploded ordnance throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The DPAA’s humanitarian efforts encompass forensic training, recovery missions, and ordnance removal, conducted in partnership with 54 host nations. Later this year, they plan to host a regional summit focused on forensic archaeological sciences, bringing together experts from the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
