Gender

Male

Birth date

1917-01-20

Place of birth

Hood River OR, USA

Inducted

1942-03-09, Fort Lewis WA

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Support

Units served

Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) (Graduated Savage, June 1942). MISLS Staff Division Chmn and Instructor. Headquarters GHQ, Allied Occupation Forces, Japan

Military specialty

Military Intelligence

Stationed

USA: Camp Savage, MN Other Countries: Japan

Separated

Zama, Japan

Unit responsibility

Military Intelligence Service Language School - Instructor in Japanese language, history, customs, etc. Occupation of Japan - MIS work.

Personal responsibility

MISLS - Chairman, Academic Division. Occupation of Japan - Commanding Officer, 358th Interrogation Team, IX Corps.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

War Department Commendation Medal Occupation of Japan Ribbon

Living conditions

Meals - ate a lot of powdered eggs. Quarters - tents, regular quarters, warehouses. Entertainment - USO, pool, symphony, etc.

Most vivid memory of military experience

During the occupation of Japan, sometimes I passed as a Japanese; other times, as a member of the Occupation Forces. I witnessed first hand the sad, helpless, confused, and disorganized conditions prevailing in war-torn Japan. Yet many were determined to rebuild Japan in cooperation with the Allied forces. There was no animosity by the Japanese towards me. In fact, they respected me and the Nisei soldiers.

Missed most whilst in the military

Freedom

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

This was a unique experience of serving the country while my relatives were incarcerated in relocation camps. The Occupation experience in a defeated nation (Japan) was a rare experience no other generation has ever had.

Additional information

I am a Kibei Nisei. I was in the employ of Mitsubishi International Corporation, Seattle Branch for 30 years. Last position held was that of Deputy General Manager. In 1953, I received a signal award of being selected as one of 'Seattle's 100 Newsmakers of Tomorrow', which was sponsored by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with TIME magazine. In 1994, for the many years of community service, I was awarded the '5th Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays' by the Emperor of Japan. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington, and also a degree in Economics from Senshu Universtiy, Japan.