William Michael Cunningham enlisted in the United States Navy on 4 September 1941, New York City. He retired 1 November 1971, Keyport, Washington.

On 22 April, 1943, two months before his 19th birthday, William Cunningham and his fellow 67 enlisted crew members and 8 officers of the USS Grenadier (SS210) were captured by the Japanese near the Strait of Malacca. In Penang, Malaysia from 23 April 1943 to 5 August 1943. In Seletar, Singapore, from 7 August 1943 to 26 September 1943. On board Asama Maru from 26 September 1943 to 8 October 1943 while being shipped to Japan. In Shimonoseki, Japan from 9 October, 1943 to 19 October 1943. He was then transferred first to Yawata and then Tobata, Fukuoka on the Island of Kyushu in the southern part of Japan. This is a major steel producing industrial area in between Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was in prison camp #3 from 19 October 1943 until 12 September 1945. He was a slave laborer at the Yawata Steel Mill.

There is an article on the USS Grenadier at the following Wiki page:

http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g8/grenadier-i.htm

The below is an article on Fukuoka Prison Camp #3

http://www.mansell.com/powresources/camplists/fukuoka/fuku3tobata/fuku3_main.htm

William Michael Cunningham 1924 - 1978