DOB/DOD: August 29, 1916 (Bridgeport, CT) – November 2, 1944; 26 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Christine Glynn (1919-1998) on April 10, 1941, in East Hartford. After Rudolph’s death, she remarried in 1946 to Charles McCarthy.
CHILDREN: One son, Dennis E. (1943 -).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 975 Grand Street, Bridgeport
SERVICE NUMBER: Z-481720
FAMILY: Born to Rudolf J. (1894-1976) and Grace Morey Broedlin (1898-1932). One sister, Eleanor M. Broedlin Smith (1926-1988). One brother, Donald J. [Marine Corps veteran, 1951-?] (1931-2001). Stepmother, Lina King Broedlin (1896-1971).
Bridgeport Central High School Class of 1934
CIRCUMSTANCES: SS Fort Lee, an oil tanker, was sunk in the Indian Ocean on November 2, 1944, by German U-Boat #U-181. Nine men aboard Fort Lee were killed during the attack. Four lifeboats were successfully launched, with three of them being picked up by other ships in the area. The fourth lifeboat, with 16 men aboard, drifted 2,850 miles over 10 weeks before landing on Japanese-held Sumba Island with three men remaining on board. All three of them perished in the custody of the Japanese Army. NOTE: It would be speculation to consider that Rudolph Broedlin was one of those in the lifeboat who survived.
The fate of U-Boat U-181
Taken over by Japan at Singapore on May 5, 1945, and became the Japanese submarine I 501 on July 15, 1945. On February 15, 1946 (GMT), towed by HM Tug Assiduous to the Straits of Malacca, off Singapore, where U-181 (I-501) was scuttled (alongside I 502 / U-862) by the frigate HMS Loch Glendhu.