Arlie W. Higgins
Arlie William Higgins was born on September 2, 1906, in America City, Kansas. A man of strong character and dedication, he pursued higher education at Kansas State College in Manhattan, where he graduated in 1929. His academic journey did not end there; he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from the same institution in 1934, writing his thesis on “A Study of Compulsory Education in the State of Kansas.” This achievement was a testament to his commitment to both education and personal growth.
After completing his studies, Higgins embarked on a career in education, serving as a high school teacher and principal in Kansas. He worked at high schools in Ingalls and Florence, where his leadership and passion for education were evident. However, his career took a turn when the national defense program called him away from teaching. As a member of the Reserve Officers Corps, Higgins was summoned to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1940, where he served as a captain in the 3rd Infantry at Fort Crook, Nebraska. His military responsibilities soon took precedence, and he, along with his wife Venita Grace Schade, relocated to Fort Crook.
By 1941, Captain Higgins was stationed at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he continued to serve until his deployment to the Philippines later that year. The outbreak of World War II brought new challenges, and Higgins was soon embroiled in the conflict in the Pacific. He participated in the defense of the Philippines during the Japanese invasion and was eventually sent to an island approximately 400 miles from Manila. Despite the chaos and danger, Higgins managed to survive the initial Japanese attacks without injury.
In the early days of the war, Higgins was promoted to the rank of major. However, his situation grew dire as the Philippines fell to Japanese forces. In 1942, Major Higgins, along with thousands of other American and Filipino soldiers, was captured and became a prisoner of war. He was held in various Japanese prison camps, including the infamous Military Prison No. 2 in the Philippines. During his imprisonment, he managed to send occasional messages to his wife, Venita, and his mother, Hester, providing some reassurance of his well-being.
Tragically, Major Higgins’ story did not have a happy ending. In October 1944, he was among 1,775 prisoners aboard the Japanese transport ship Arisan Maru, which was en route from Manila to Japan. On October 24, 1944, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in the South China Sea, approximately 200 miles off the coast of China. The sinking resulted in one of the deadliest maritime disasters of the war, with nearly all prisoners, including Major Higgins, losing their lives.
The news of Higgins’ death was a severe blow to his family and the community of Seneca, Kansas, where he was well-known and respected. His mother, Hester Higgins, and his wife, Venita, had held onto hope for his return throughout his years of captivity. Major Higgins’ bravery and dedication to his country were remembered by those who knew him, and his legacy was honored at Kansas State College, where he and another local serviceman, Raymond Ruben Rokey, were commemorated in the All-Faith Chapel built in memory of alumni and students who served in World War II.
Major Arlie William Higgins is also memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, where his name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. His sacrifice, along with that of countless others, serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of war and the enduring legacy of those who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.
The above was written by ChatGPT from transcriptions of the various newspaper articles and answers from Perplexity.
Here is the list of sources used for the narrative about Arlie W. Higgins:
- Find a Grave Memorial ID 30464508:
- Birth and death information, burial details, and a Purple Heart image on the memorial.
- Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS):
- August 6, 1934, page 1: Information about Arlie W. Higgins receiving his Master’s Degree.
- November 28, 1940, page 2: Details about Higgins being called from teaching by the national defense program.
- July 10, 1941, page 3: Mention of Higgins stationed at Camp Leonard Wood and weekend trips to Lake of the Ozarks.
- October 6, 1941, page 3: Mention of Higgins expected to return from maneuvers in Louisiana.
- December 22, 1941, page 1: Report of Higgins surviving the initial Japanese attack on Manila.
- January 29, 1942: Note on Higgins’ presence in the Philippines as an army captain.
- February 9, 1942: Information on Higgins’ safety communicated to his mother.
- March 23, 1942, page 1: Mrs. Hester Higgins’ mention of her son and grandsons in military service.
- June 11, 1942, page 2: Brief mention of Higgins being promoted to Major.
- August 10, 1942, page 1: Announcement of Higgins being a prisoner of war.
- May 17, 1943, page 1: Confirmation of Higgins being alive and a prisoner of war.
- July 5, 1943, page 1: Mention of Major Higgins among 789 soldiers held by Japan.
- August 13, 1942, page 1: Information from the Red Cross about writing to Higgins.
- September 13, 1943, page 1: A card received from Major Higgins through the Red Cross.
- December 6, 1943, page 1: Arrival of the Gripsholm and discussion about war prisoners.
- March 30, 1944, page 1: Another card received from Major Higgins from a Japanese prison.
- August 17, 1944, page 5: No further word received from Higgins.
- November 6, 1944, page 1: Information on Red Cross message forms available to send to war prisoners.
- February 1, 1945, page 2: Word received through Mrs. Arlie Higgins that Major Higgins was well.
- February 12, 1945, page 2: Mention of General Wainwright’s transfer, with no word on Major Higgins.
- June 28, 1945, page 1: Report on the death of Major Arlie W. Higgins during a prisoner transfer.
- August 8, 1946, page 1: Announcement of Major Higgins being honored at Kansas State College.
- The Manhattan Mercury:
- June 25, 1945, page 1: Report of Major Arlie Higgins’ death when the Arisan Maru was sunk.
- Perplexity Inquiries:
- Information on the Bataan Death March, Japanese military prisons, General Wainwright’s imprisonment, details about the Arisan Maru sinking, and Major Arlie Higgins’ role in the 101st Philippine Division.
These sources were used to compile the narrative of Major Arlie W. Higgins’ life, military service, and ultimate sacrifice during World War II.
