Our History

George Andrew Rader was appointed as a 1LT in the Medical Corps on July 1, 1938. He arrived in the Philippines in July 1940 and was assigned to Sternberg General Hospital then to 12th Medical Regiment at Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands.

Captain Rader was declared missing in action on May 7, 1942, following the fall of Bataan to the Japanese Forces. He suffered through the infamous “Bataan Death March.” After multiple moves he arrived in Davao Penal Colony on the island of Mindanao where his courageous actions would earn him the Bronze Star Medal.

CPT Rader made sure that proper care was provided to his fellow prisoners. He was responsible for setting up the hospital at the camp which cared for over 2,000 American prisoners of war. From September of 1942 to October of 1944, CPT Rader gave unceasingly of his medical knowledge and physical efforts to care for his fellow prisoners. He refused to accept the conditions that were in the camp hospital and through determination and tremendous personal courage through multiple beatings had forced the Japanese to relent and provide sufficient medical supplies to bring the death rate to normal. His untiring efforts saved many lives.

On October 11, 1944, the unmarked Japanese transport ship, ARISAN MARU, sailed from Manila with 1,790 American prisoners of war aboard. One of them was Captain Rader. On October 24, 1944, this ship was sunk during submarine action off the southeast China coast. Captain Rader was among those killed in action.

On May 8, 1967, the Fort Myer Health Clinic was officially rededicated in honor of Captain (Dr.) George Andrew Rader, MD.