TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Kruys, Willem Jan

Date of birth:
January 13th, 1906 (Pangkalan Brandan, Sumatra)
Date of death:
April 20th, 1985 (Bilthoven, Netherlands)
Nationality:
Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
LtZ-1
Unit:
Hr.Ms. Tjerk Hiddes, Koninklijke Marine
As commander of the HMS "Tjerk Hiddes" Kruys participated in the war agains the enemy until January 21, 1944. Initially, he joined many escorts of convoys in the Atlantic and later (December 1942) the famous Timor Tours where he evacuated 1200 people (esp KNIL personnel), without the Japanese noticing, from Timor in three extremely risky operations.

With claps "Timor 1942"
Ereteken voor Belangrijke Krijgsbedrijven
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Hr.Ms. Tjerk Hiddes, Koninklijke Marine
As commander of the HMS "Tjerk Hiddes" Kruys participated in the war agains the enemy until January 21, 1944. Initially, he joined many escorts of convoys in the Atlantic and later (December 1942) the famous Timor Tours where he evacuated 1200 people (esp KNIL personnel), without the Japanese noticing, from Timor in three extremely risky operations.

With "Combat V"
Legion of Merit - Officer (LoM - O)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With swords
Commandeur in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (ON.3)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With 2 clasps
Oorlogsherinneringskruis (OHK)

Sources

Photo