The Castaway's War: One Man's Battle against Imperial Japan

by Stephen Harding

Shipwrecked on a South Pacific island, a young US Navy lieutenant waged a one-man war against the Japanese

In the early hours of July 5, 1943, the destroyer USS Strong was hit by a Japanese torpedo. The powerful weapon broke the destroyer's back, killed dozens of sailors, and sparked raging fires. While accompanying ships were able to take off most of Strong's surviving crewmembers, scores went into the ocean as the once-proud warship sank beneath the waves--and a young officer's harrowing story of survival began.

Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller, a pre-war football star at the University of Alabama, went into the water as the vessel sank. Severely injured, Miller and several others survived three days at sea and eventually landed on a Japanese-occupied island. The survivors found fresh water and a few coconuts, but Miller, suffering from internal injuries and believing he was on the verge of death, ordered the others to go on without him. They reluctantly did do, believing, as Miller did, that he would be dead within hours.

But Miller didn't die, and his health improved enough for him to begin searching for food. He also found the enemy--Japanese forces patrolling the island. Miller was determined to survive, and so launched a one-man war against the island's occupiers.

Based on official American and Japanese histories, personal memoirs, and the author's exclusive interviews with many of the story's key participants, The Castaway's War is a rousing story of naval combat, bravery, and determination.

Genres: History, World War II, Survival, Nonfiction, American History, Biography, War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2016

About the author

As a defense journalist Stephen Harding covered the conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and, most recently, Iraq. The author of seven books and some 300 magazine articles, he specializes in military, aviation and maritime topics."

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and written book, though the title is a bit misleading. The book follows the life of Hugh Miller from his early life and wartime career to where he was on the brink of death on the enemy occupied Arundel Island after the sinking of his ship, USS Strong, by Japanese forces. What follows is a tale of never giving up and fighting back as the best way of survival until he was rescued in dramatic fashion by floatplane. This though only fills the middle part of the book as the beginning is all about USS Strong's wartime career and the ending is about his fame when he got back to the USA and they almost made a movie about his adventures (would still make a great movie). Recommended though if you are into survival stories.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

“…if the Lord would give him water, he whispered, he would get to his feet and move.”

The greatest value to me of reading THE CASTAWAYS’S WAR was that it detailed one of the myriad of singular human stories that WW II produced that are starting to be forgotten. This book is not a great read, but it is a good one. A story that deserves to be told.
The biggest problem with this book is that up until the sinking of the destroyer USS Strong this is sometimes a dull text. Not because the story is not interesting, but because it is rendered in a dull manner. The author, Stephan Harding, is a military historian, and so he wrote about ship positions and details of armaments and requisitions, and that is not of interest to me, although I am thrilled Harding has researched and validated his sources. It is just that this book’s Notes section contains tidbits that I think would have been better placed in the text of the book, and there are bits of the text of the book that could have been hidden in the Notes section for the military wonks to find if so desired. It focuses less on the personal, and more on the reportage. I wish it had been a better mix. While reading this book it is one or the other, but rarely does Harding make it both.
A few days after the sinking of the USS Strong Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller finds himself on Japanese occupied Arundel Island. After a few days (miraculously) Miller does not die and is eventually the only American survivor on the island. THE CASTAWAY’S WAR is at its finest when it focuses on Miller’s story, and what a story it is. Death, overcoming miraculous odds (how Miller came back from literally the brink of death is astounding) regaining the will to live, fighting back…it’s all there in this text.
The author was clearly very intentional and thorough in his research and obviously took great pains to only report what he could verify. I appreciate that, immensely. However, be warned, that can also make the reading dry at times. Still, this is a solid book, and a great story of survival.
I have been reading a lot about WW II in the last few years (not sure why that happened) and I am glad I stumbled on THE CASTAWAY’S WAR.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about the survival of a US Naval Officer in the Solomon Islands. It starts with some background on Lt. Hugh Miller and the launch of the destroyer USS Strong. We learn about the Pacific tour and the sinking of the ship. The author provided the first in depth detailed description of that happens to people when they are in the water and too close to where depth charges go off. Despite severe injuries Miller became a 'one man army" fighting against the Japanese.

If you like true life action tales about WWII servicemen, this book is a great book.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

WW2 history buffs will probably enjoy this rendition of one soldier's harrowing adventure. Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller was aboard the USS Strong when it was hit by aJapanese tornado and sunk. Miller spent several days at sea finally landing on Japanese occupied territory. Alone and injured, he waged a one man war against the enemy.

This is a short but powerful story. The message I took away was to never give up. Miller's survival and determination were admirable. I listened to the audio version but was a little disappointed with the narration as it was one note. The story itself had highs and lows. Some parts were riveting while others were not. The last quarter of the book focused a lot on war strategy, which lost me. Just an okay read.

[J.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller who was serving on the USS Strong when it was sunk by a Japanese torpedo in 1943. Although he was injured when the ships depth charges went off as the ship sunk, and ended up consuming a fair amount of the oil that was in the water, he managed to cling to a floating net from the ship with several other sailors. He and three others survived three days at sea before landing on Arundel Island, which was held by the enemy. While suffering from his injuries, and believing he would soon die, he sent the others away to find an escape. But Miller didn't die, and ended up observing the Japanese movements and even killed 10 or so of the enemy soldiers before he was rescued after 42 days.

Although it appears that this was a well-known story after the war, this was the first I recall hearing about it. And it's an inspiring story, covering not just Miller's service during the war but the events in his early life and his continued post-war service in the Navy.

[KB · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castaway's War offers a well-researched and engaging account of the wartime experiences of Hugh Miller, who ultimately became famous as "The Hero of Arundel Island" due to his amazing story of survival amid the violence of the Solomons Island theater of World War II in the Pacific.
The subtitle (One Man's Battle Against Imperial Japan) is somewhat misleading given that a long lead-up and a great deal of background information precede the narrative of the protagonist's individual exploits, such that the book is as much a biography of the ill-fated destroyer U.S.S. Strong as it is of Miller. The pages devoted to Miller's time on Arundel Island feel somewhat brief, but author Stephen Harding nonetheless manages to flesh out a worthwhile story. Maps and contemporary photographs enhance the text. The discussion of "immersion-blast" injuries was particularly noteworthy to this reader, who had never previously encountered the topic despite a deep interest in related subjects.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy history, military adventures, and stories of human survival.

[Terri Wangard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castaway’s War is an incredible story of perseverance despite incredible odds against survival. Lt. Hugh Miller was in the water as his destroyer sank. He was severely injured by immersion blast when its depth charges exploded. Pulled onto a floater net by shipmates, he ended up on Arundel Island, held by the Japanese. Believing he was about to die, he ordered his three companions to go on. After several days he began to feel better and became a one-man army, collecting intel and wiping out enemy patrols with their own grenades.

I had heard of immersion blast, but never realized how debilitating the injuries can be. Lt. Miller was plagued by chronic irritable colon for the rest of his life.

The Castaway’s War begins with a recap of the Pacific War and the construction and brief life of the USS Strong, which is a bit tedious. The main story is about Lt. Miller, who well deserved his Navy Cross.

[Paul Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written story of heroism in WW2. The story is a comprehensive look at one man's Navy career, from entry to exit, which slowed the story down a bit but also shone a light on how the Navy went about its business day-to-day during the Pacific War. The meat of the tale is the account of Hugh Miller's survival when his ship is sunk by a freak torpedo shot. I highly recommend for any history buff.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A truly remarkable story. This account is very technical due to its superb research. A bit dry for an adventure story, but I can see how a 'Navy man' would love the telling. And I believe the point of this narrative was to take the sensational out of the telling and bring it down to the true facts. Well done.

[PabloHabla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of research done for this book shows up thorough out the story. The amount of detail can not be fully appreciated because the story line flows so well. Mr. Harding brings Mr. Miller to life in his struggle to survive on an enemy held island. A Goodread Mr. Harding.

[Neil Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but felt the content of the time on the island was very little and more about the build up and post sinking. Still an incredible story.

[Doug Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

although exhaustively researched the way it pinballs around from the main storyline to give an endless account of everything from the creation of the ship that went down to the situation of the islands to well it just goes on and on if you have an interest it's worth a read but it's a bit too much

[Sharon Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love heroic war stories, and this is a good one! There is a lot of Navy lingo about the ships and guns that lost me, but Hugh Miller's story of survival, combat and bravery on a Japanese patrolled island in the Pacific is fantastic!

[William DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lively telling of a naval officer who was on a island and who managed to survive and disrupt the enemy while being severely injured. He won the Navy Cross and was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor but didn't meet the qualifications.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heroic tales make great reading. This was a page turner, even if every nut and bolt of the Strong was examined in detail. Miller's story is compelling even all these years later.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Castaway's War" by Stephen Harding is a meticulously researched account of a young US Navy lieutenant's remarkable battle against Imperial Japan after being shipwrecked on a South Pacific island. The book delves into the harrowing survival story of Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller, who, despite severe injuries, managed to endure days at sea and land on a Japanese-occupied island.

Harding skillfully combines official historical records, personal memoirs, and exclusive interviews to present a detailed narrative of naval combat, bravery, and determination. However, while the book promises high drama, a significant portion of the story is dedicated to setting the stage and providing context. The actual naval combat and land warfare, which the book is advertised as, are relatively brief.

The storytelling in "The Castaway's War" maintains a clinical and precise tone, lacking a strong emotional attachment by the end. While the protagonist, Hugh, serves as a valuable military observer and provides crucial information upon his rescue, the book falls short in delivering the dramatic tension and emotional depth found in works like "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Castaway's War" remains an informative and likeable story, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of World War II. Readers interested in military history and personal survival stories will appreciate the meticulous research and attention to detail presented in this book.

[Susie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently got two WWII histories by Stephen Harding from Daedalus Books -- and have read both with interest. "The Castaway's War" deals with the survival of one of USS Strong's survivors, an Alabama-Mississippi guy (Hugh Barr Miller) who was a player for the Crimson Tide before he signed on with the Navy in anticipation of the coming World War II. While Harding does his usual good job detailing "both sides" of the action in the South Pacific horrors -- the Strong's demise near New Georgia Island in the Solomons was devastating to so many of the men who were serving on it when the Japanese submarine sank her -- it was interesting to me because my father, the late David Franklin James (Sr.) served from June-November 1943 with the 9th Defense Battalion in the fight to defeat the Japanese hostilities so was amongst them during the time Miller and his shipmates lost the Strong, and Miller wound up for weeks trying to survive on Arundel Island. According to Daddy's records, his unit was commended for their participation in the New Georgia Operations. Strong was sunk early July 1943. Daddy had served with the Marines for two hitches, the first starting in 1937, when he'd gotten out of the CCCs as a youngster; he served at Shanghai from 1937-early 1938 and the USS Vincinnes brought him back to the States -- Vincinnes was later sunk by the Japanese during WWII.

[Berry Muhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real-life tale of survival and resistance in the Pacific Theater. Hugh Barr Miller, an American naval officer on an almost brand-new destroyer, the USS Strong, ends up clinging to a flotation device when the destroyer is torpedoed and sunk in the aftermath of an engagement that didn't even directly involve it. Dozens of sailors are killed outright, and more will die of exposure and deprivation in the days to come, cast to the currents and left to drift to various island shores...most in the hands of the Japanese.

Miller is among the worst-injured on his float; the survivors worse off than he don't survive the trip to shore. The reduced group of survivors strikes out to find water and sustenance, barely eking out an existence, and forced by Japanese patrols to keep on the move. Eventually Miller, the ranking officer, orders the rest to leave him behind. The assumption is that he will be dead by nightfall, given his injury and weakened condition.

And the story takes off from there.

It's an engaging tale of survival and grit. The only downside, in my opinion, is that most of the narrative concerns events prior to and after the meat of the story. That's only because Miller's actual offensive against the Japanese presence on the island was so short compared with the surrounding incidents. You can't blame him, or the author, for the constraints imposed by reality.

[David Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first blurb on the back jacket of this book says, "[Stephen Harding] has somehow found a truly extraordinary story from World War II that has all the elements of a Hollywood thriller or adventure movie." I'm guessing the blurb writer didn't read the book, at least not to the end. In the final pages we learn that this story was written up in half a dozen magazines (including Life) over the years, shown on a TV show called Navy Log and optioned by John Wayne for a movie that was never made. So what we have here is a story that's been told a number of times already, but long enough ago that it seems fresh again.

The fact that this tale has been told before is not a criticism of this version of it. This book is essentially a whole-life biography of Hugh Barr Miller. Roughly a quarter of the book covers the 43 days between the time his ship was sunk and he was rescued. The five pages of prologue end at a decisive moment which we don't return to until halfway through the book, which is otherwise presented in chronological order. The book is well-paced, even if the denouement is a bit long.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Real Hero

Captain Hugh Barr Miller, a college football star, lawyer and older Naval Lieutenant during WW2, survived his ships sinking and a Robinson Crusoe landing on the deserted beach of an island crawling with the enemy.
Washed ashore after many days floating with his small group of survivors losing another man each day.
Ordering his remaining men to leave him to die after giving up his boots, knife he slowly recovered to spy on and kill a number of Japanese soldiers in three separate one man attacks!
Finally rescued, this book does the great service of telling his story.
It includes the early growing up and prewar tale of American life that’s such a part of these personal wartime histories.
But, it’s done well without going overboard.
Actually, I like to read that part since it tells me so much about prewar life in America. This man was very brave, read his story!

[David Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first half of the book moved very slowly, things kicked into high gear the moment Captain Hugh Barr Miller washed ashore on an enemy-held island in WWII. Indeed, at that point, Miller’s time on the island was a riveting tale of survival. However, even though the story was awe-inspiring to read, I’ve knocked off a star from the review, as I felt the book should have focused much more on Miller’s harrowing experiences on the small Pacific island….as opposed to an endless number of pages concerning his life before-and-after being a castaway. For that matter, several times, I nearly stopped listening to the audiobook version, as the narrator spoke in a rapid staccato voice with absolutely no inflection. Even so, despite the issues mentioned above, this was definitely a worthwhile story to experience.

[Sep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller who miraculoously survived a sinking ship and major injuries (that plagued him the rest of his life,). Alone on an occupied island, he had to kill Japaniese soldiers for food and then realized that their official papers and troop movements were almost more valuable.

3 stars originally, because the first part could be dull with all the ship movement details. That's probably on me. Not as interested in such details, but became interested because my dad was in the navy and sailed around the South Pacific at the same time.

So I raised the "Castaway's War" to 4 stars for giving me a vivid pictue what life was like for my dad during WWII. Oh, maybe five.

[Vernon Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

True stories often are not as interesting or exciting as fiction. In the case of this story, it is every bit as exciting and interesting as fiction.
The author does a great job of providing all the background to paint a complete picture while keeping the narrative interesting.
Hugh, the central figure in this book, behaved remarkably in extremely difficult circumstances. He was brave and extremely clever while facing death on a daily basis.

The author provides great transitions as he injects essential background information and builds the stories. I really like how he closes a section or chapter with a great enticing sentence for what's coming.

Even if not interested in history, war or World War II, one will this story captivating.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buried Lede

It took a hundred pages of dull backstory—the proud Southern family tree with the old black retainer, “Uncle Jim”, who taught young Hugh to hunt the Alabama swamps; Hugh’s divorce from his first wife, and a needless history of the ship that sank—before readers finally got to the heart of what might have been a gripping tale. Some of that information could have been slipped into the narrative as Hugh struggled through his ordeal. All that Hollywood hooey afterwards that never jelled was unnecessary. An editor was needed to make this work. Instead we are given a cold military unit history, complete, yes but compelling, no.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly gripping tale of a USN Lieutenant who survived being thrown from his torpedoed destroyer and survived three days afloat in the Pacific to survive an additional forty three days on an enemy-infested island.

Lt. Hugh Miller played on the Alabama "Crimson Tide" national championship football team in 1930, went on to earn his law degree and subsequently enlisted in the US Navy to serve in combat during WWII.

His early schooling in the arts of a woodsman and a hunter proved extremely useful as he evaded and even slew several of pursuing enemy infantry who knew someone was hiding on their jungle isle. After his rescue, Lt. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross which was pinned to his shirt by none other than first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was visiting the Pacific theater at the time in her role as president of the American Red Cross.

The book displays the significant amount of skillful research completed by the author before he set this amazing story into print. I read this engrossing book in only two days. The volume also details the construction and shake-down processes that birthed his ship, the USS Strong, before it was sunk by a well-placed Japanese Long Lance torpedo in the South Pacific.

This book is a great biography of an amazing naval hero but also gives its reader a genuine feel for the life of small ship sailors in our war with the Imperial Japanese Navy.

[Grace Fiacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! A great read. Very well researched. There’s some reviews on here that mentioned the first part can be dry regarding the history of Hugh’s ship and its early tasks in islands before it sunk, but I actually found this part of the book to be very informative and fascinating - such as how destroyers transport cruisers, how naval ships are made and get ready for combat, all the matters in the Solomon Islands etc. Really learned a lot.. the survival story during the middle of the book is a real page turner! I recommend reading the Epilogue as it describes the end of Hugh’s career & death.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling narrative that chronicles a little-known story from WWII, most of this book reads like an action-thriller. Lt. Miller fights to survive after his ship, the USS Strong, is torpedoed and sinks from beneath him. He also attempts to lead a band of survivors to safety while dealing with his own grievous injuries. The reader grieves as one by one, the other survivors succumb. Finally, exhausted and suffering, Lt. Miller attempts to sacrifice himself for the remaining sailors, turning over his supplies, (meager) weapons, and even his shoes. But Lt. Miller does not die. He miraculously recovers and embarks on a one-man mission: to gather intel and to disrupt, even attack, the enemy at every opportunity.

At one point, the author went into finite detail as to the production, outfitting, and arming of the USS Strong. Some of this detail gave context for what follows. Some went a little further into the weeds than I thought necessary, causing the narrative to drag a little. But soon, the narrative picked up again, transporting the reader into an inspiring story of courage, resilience, determination, sacrifice, and patriotism. The suspense built as Lt. Miller weakens and no longer walk, seemingly on the brink of death. After he recovers, the suspense intensified as Lt. Miller engages the enemy again and again, narrowly escaping capture.

The book concluded with an account of Lt. Miller’s post-rescue … and post-war life. I found this portion very informative. While not as action-packed, it kept my attention, completing the arc of Lt. Miller’s life. (Mild spoiler alert) It even related the attempts to make this amazing story into a motion picture. While no one has yet, I hope someone will now.

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this should be a very interesting book, the author takes far too long to get to the story. 100 pages before the USS Strong sinks and 47 more pages until the story promised on the cover - "one man's battle against Imperial Japan" - actually begins. And ends abruptly after only 44 pages. Really, this was a short story stuffed with enough filler and unnecessary details to stretch it into a full-length book.

[Deborah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing information

Harding tells the survival story of lieutenant Hugh Miller after his ship is torpedoed in the Pacific. Gravely injured, Miller survives to become a one man army attacking the Japanese. WW2 stories have always interested me. This story should continue to be told as an example of developing determination and will to survive. This story will stay with me. I will encourage friends to read this book.

[Thomas S. Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsung Naval Hero That Served His Country

I have read many books on World War II and have to rate this story as one of the best. In all of my readings I never came across reading anything about Hugh Miller. If I missed anything in his story I would have liked to have heard more about his survival on the island. He was a remarkable man and gave a lot to his service in the Navy and his Country.