Joseph Ambrose Rich

Joseph Ambrose Rich. served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was inducted in June, 1943.

Mr. Rich was a Baker 1st Class aboard the liberty ship U.S.S. Rotanin (AK 108). He noted, “The movie ‘Mr. Roberts’ was about the Rotanin." His ship hauled troops and cargo from island to island. He recalled, “During World War II, the Rotanin transported more than 50,000 troops over a 30-month period, including the 1st and 4th Marine Divisions, as well as Air Corps and Seabees. The ship was in the invasions of Bougainville, Pelileu, Saipan, Okinawa. We took the first hospital units to Okinawa and took what was left of the 1st Marines off the island. Traveled 117,000 nautical miles, or the equivalent of five times around the world.”

Mr. Rich was separated from the service on April 11, 1946.

He was born on 11 Jan. 1925. Died 28 Dec. 2012.

Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 265.

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