Banco de Dados da Experiência Militar Nipo-Americana
Takashi Matsui
Sexo
Male
Birth date
1917-01-20
Local de nascimento
Hood River OR, USA
Inducted
1942-03-09, Fort Lewis WA
Tipo de alistamento
Draftee
Ramo das Forças Armadas
Army
Tipo de serviço
War
Tipo de Unidade
Support
Unidades onde serviu
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.