Japanese American Military Experience Database
Thomas Masaharu Takata
Gender
Male
Birth date
1920-2-18
Place of birth
Seattle WA, U.S.A.
Inducted
1942-1-1, Los Angeles CA
Enlistment type
Volunteer
Service branch
Army
Service type
War
Unit type
Combat
Units served
MISLS Sp. Class (Graduated Savage, June 1942)
Sept. '42: I Corp.
Oct - Dec '42: Allied translator & interpreter
Dec '42 - Apr '43: Australian GHQ at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Apr '43 - Oct '43: ATIS at Brisbane, Australia Translator
Nov. '43 - Mar '44: 9th Australian Infantry Division
Apr '44 - Nov '44: Returned to ATIS in Brisbane, Australia
Nov '44 - Jul '45: 33rd Infantry Division - Dutch New Guinea, Morotai Island and Luzon, Philippines
Aug '45 - Dec '45: 11th Corp. Headquarters Tokyo, Japan
Jan '46 - Mar '46: 12th Cav Regiment - Uraga, Japan
Mar '46 - June '46: 9th Corp HQ at Sendai, Japan
Jun '46 - May '48: I Worked as Book Censor for CCD, GHQ in Tokyo, Japan
Sept. '42: I Corp.
Oct - Dec '42: Allied translator & interpreter
Dec '42 - Apr '43: Australian GHQ at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Apr '43 - Oct '43: ATIS at Brisbane, Australia Translator
Nov. '43 - Mar '44: 9th Australian Infantry Division
Apr '44 - Nov '44: Returned to ATIS in Brisbane, Australia
Nov '44 - Jul '45: 33rd Infantry Division - Dutch New Guinea, Morotai Island and Luzon, Philippines
Aug '45 - Dec '45: 11th Corp. Headquarters Tokyo, Japan
Jan '46 - Mar '46: 12th Cav Regiment - Uraga, Japan
Mar '46 - June '46: 9th Corp HQ at Sendai, Japan
Jun '46 - May '48: I Worked as Book Censor for CCD, GHQ in Tokyo, Japan
Military specialty
Military Intelligence Service
Translator and interpreter
Translator and interpreter
Stationed
USA: Camp Roberts, CA; Camp Robinson, AR; Camp Savage, MN
Other Countries: Australia; Papua, New Guinea; Dutch New Guinea; Morotai Is.; Luzon, Philippines; Japan
Other Countries: Australia; Papua, New Guinea; Dutch New Guinea; Morotai Is.; Luzon, Philippines; Japan
Separated
Japan
Unit responsibility
Translation and Interpreting; other military intelligence work
Personal responsibility
Translation, interpreting and other military intelligence work.
Major battles (if served in a war zone)
Papua, New Guinea; Dutch New Guinea; Morotai Island; Luzon Island; Japan
Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)
American Theater Ribbon
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon
WWII Victory Medal
Occupation Medal w/clasp 'Japan'
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Citation
Distinguished Unit Badge
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars
Bronze Star Medal
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon
WWII Victory Medal
Occupation Medal w/clasp 'Japan'
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
Presidential Citation
Distinguished Unit Badge
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars
Bronze Star Medal
Living conditions
Fox hole; Tent: Hammocking jungle: Took bath in the ocean. Ate K rations throughout the New Guinea battle zone. Did not see C-rations until near end of war. Played card whenever possible.
Missed most whilst in the military
My parents and friends - good home cooking.
Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?
Loyalty to your country and your friends.
Additional information
A week after General Hideki Tojo attempted suicide, I was directed by the GHQ TO ATTEND TO HIM IN A HOSPITAL NEAR Yokohama. I asked General Tojo if he knew of the Nisei soldiers in the Pacific areas. 'Yea, I knew the Niseis were in the Pacific areas. You must be loyal to the country of your birth.' I felt real good, needless to say.