Tillman J. Rutledge of San Antonio, Texas was only 17 when he was
captured in Bataan on April 9th, 1942. Mr. Rutledge was a PFC. 6th CL
spec, Co F and 2nd BN Hgs. Det., U.S. 31st Inf. Polar Bears, in the
United States Army and spent 3 and half years as a POW and made the
Bataan death march before being self liberated in September 1945. After
the war Mr. Rutledge stayed in the service and joined the U.S.A.F. he
served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He had orders to DaNang, but
failed to pass the physical and was forced to retire on Combat rated
disabilities. During his career in the service Mr. Rutledge was held in
such camps as O’Donnell, Caban Cabanatuan, Bilibid, Las Pinas,
Tanagawa, and Fukuoka and has received over 31 decorations and awards
including the Silver Star, Two Bronze Stars, four Purple Hearts, and the
POW Medal.
Mr. Rutledge also volunteers his time in Veterans Affairs Voluntary
Service. Plus Mr. Rutledge has attended Florida State University, SAC
(San Antonio College), La Salle Law School, St. Mary’s University and
was the recipient of the Secretary Of Affairs Outstanding Volunteer with
Diamond award, the DAV National Volunteer of the Year for 1996 award,
and the AHA Award for Volunteer Excellence for 1997.
Mr. Rutledge has also written a book entitled "My Japanese POW
Diary Story" that was published in 1997. It is a personal account
of the survival of young teenager under the worst of the worst conditions. Joyce
Ann Counts Rutledge, Born 16 July 1929, Freeport, Florida. Graduated
popular Springs high school, Florida, and met Tillman while she was
working in Tallahassee, FL and he was assigned to the AFROTC detachment
#145 and attending Florida State. Tillman and Joyce were married
November 3rd 1951 in Tallahassee, FL. They have five children. Joyce was
one of the first ten volunteers at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital,
San Antonio, TX. Serving over 24 years and 15,000 certified hours. She
also served our Lord as a volunteer helping others as a Sunday school
teacher. Joyce Ann Rutledge, a very devoted wife, mother and Till's best
friend who was always there for him. Their book, "My Japanese POW
Diary Story" would not have ever been started, much less finished,
except for Joyce. She was a victim of PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease),
an incurable hereditary disease that they fought for over ten years
together. Joyce Ann Rutledge - the love of my life. By Mr.
Rutledge
