OSS VanArsdale, Albert Henry

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

VanArsdale ​

• FORENAME

Albert Henry​

• UNIT

OSS Detachment 101 ​

• RANK

Sergeant ​

• NUMBER

​

• AWARD

Bronze Star ​

• PLACE

Far East ​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

born 18.07.1910, Seattle, Washington, USA​

further details below in post 2 @jonathanmoffatt ​

died 17.02.1986, Union, Mason County, Seattle​

Shelton Memorial Park, Shelton, Washington, USA​

​

 

[jonathanmoffatt]

I think you will find this short summary on Albert van Arsdale interesting. I've also just written an article about him and have several 1930s/40s photos of him.: VAN ARSDALE A.H. [Albert Henry] b.1910 Seattle USA. Educated Garfield High School, Seattle. Fisherman and deckhand. Served in the US Army at Fort Mills, Corregidor, the Philippines 1934-1935 then fishing off Alaska 1936-1938. Travels included China and Japan. Trucking on the Burma Rd from Rangoon to China 1940-1941.To Malaya late 1941. Sapper 1280 Johore Volunteer Engineers. Wounded 9.2.42. Escaped from Singapore on the night of 15.2.42 likely with others of the JVE and Kedah Volunteer Force on the Fisheries Dept small refrigeration vessel MV Kembong Reached Sumatra coast then Padang; HMS Danae to Java and then the 'Wu Chang' to Ceylon. To India. Attended OCTU Belgaum with other JVE/KVF escapers 6.42. Cadet to 2nd Lt 253351 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment [77th Indian Inf Brigade]. 1st Chindit Operation ‘Longcloth’ Relinquished British Army commission 25.9.43 and enlisted in US Army as a Pte 26.9.43. Promoted Sgt after joining OSS Detachment 101 [Ledo Rd/Shan States, Burma]. He raised a platoon of 100 Chinese, part of a Chinese Company. See memoirs of Roger Hilsman [CO Detachment 101]viz 'Van's' exploits. Ended the War on the Thai/Burma border. Demobilised 10.45. Various illegal exploits in the Far East post war then returned to the US Merchant Marine and boatbuilding.. Died 17.2.1986 [75] Union, Mason County near Seattle.

best wishes
Jonathan Moffatt

 

[Craig Robertson]

Thanks Jonathan i've updated his record accordingly.
Best regards, Craig

I think you will find this short summary on Albert van Arsdale interesting. I've also just written an article about him and have several 1930s/40s photos of him.: VAN ARSDALE A.H. [Albert Henry] b.1910 Seattle USA. Educated Garfield High School, Seattle. Fisherman and deckhand. Served in the US Army at Fort Mills, Corregidor, the Philippines 1934-1935 then fishing off Alaska 1936-1938. Travels included China and Japan. Trucking on the Burma Rd from Rangoon to China 1940-1941.To Malaya late 1941. Sapper 1280 Johore Volunteer Engineers. Wounded 9.2.42. Escaped from Singapore on the night of 15.2.42 likely with others of the JVE and Kedah Volunteer Force on the Fisheries Dept small refrigeration vessel MV Kembong Reached Sumatra coast then Padang; HMS Danae to Java and then the 'Wu Chang' to Ceylon. To India. Attended OCTU Belgaum with other JVE/KVF escapers 6.42. Cadet to 2nd Lt 253351 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment [77th Indian Inf Brigade]. 1st Chindit Operation ‘Longcloth’ Relinquished British Army commission 25.9.43 and enlisted in US Army as a Pte 26.9.43. Promoted Sgt after joining OSS Detachment 101 [Ledo Rd/Shan States, Burma]. He raised a platoon of 100 Chinese, part of a Chinese Company. See memoirs of Roger Hilsman [CO Detachment 101]viz 'Van's' exploits. Ended the War on the Thai/Burma border. Demobilised 10.45. Various illegal exploits in the Far East post war then returned to the US Merchant Marine and boatbuilding.. Died 17.2.1986 [75] Union, Mason County near Seattle.

best wishes
Jonathan Moffatt