George Matsunaga oral history interview, part 3 of 3, October 9, 2010
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During the occupation, George Mitsuru Matsunaga stayed with the CIC. He recalled a food shortage in Japan and saw the Japanese nationals trying to survive. During George's travel, he became friends with three Marines who fought in the Guadalcanal on a transport ship from Hawaii to the Mainland. A year later, George saw his Marines friends again.
George was sent home early from the occupation and went to Schofield. He was at Schofield for six months and was assigned to the motor pool as a dispatcher. At the end of George's service, his rank was Corporal.
George continued his education at the University of Hawaii. After graduation, George could not find a job. Later, Thomas Yoshida told George about the job in Okinawa as a Court interpreter working for the Department of Army Civilians.
George worked for the Department of Army Civilian for approximately a year, interpreting, collecting property records in Naha, and coordinating workers for repairing a 90-foot boat.
When George's one-year contract ended, he came home to Hawaii. He worked serval jobs before working at the State Tax Office as a tax auditor for 23 years. In George's retirement years and he stayed active with golf. He and his wife have six children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
George reflects on the occupation and the Nisei linguists and their contributions. In George's opinion, he felt the Nisei linguists were the bridge between the United States Army and the Japanese nationals. Although the occupation was successful in helping Japan to rebuild, George felt the main point is to treat the people well with respect. George hopes for his grandchildren and great-grandkids to have a good education, a good job, and marry into a fine family. His message for future generations is to be kind to one another and treat them as human beings.
George was sent home early from the occupation and went to Schofield. He was at Schofield for six months and was assigned to the motor pool as a dispatcher. At the end of George's service, his rank was Corporal.
George continued his education at the University of Hawaii. After graduation, George could not find a job. Later, Thomas Yoshida told George about the job in Okinawa as a Court interpreter working for the Department of Army Civilians.
George worked for the Department of Army Civilian for approximately a year, interpreting, collecting property records in Naha, and coordinating workers for repairing a 90-foot boat.
When George's one-year contract ended, he came home to Hawaii. He worked serval jobs before working at the State Tax Office as a tax auditor for 23 years. In George's retirement years and he stayed active with golf. He and his wife have six children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
George reflects on the occupation and the Nisei linguists and their contributions. In George's opinion, he felt the Nisei linguists were the bridge between the United States Army and the Japanese nationals. Although the occupation was successful in helping Japan to rebuild, George felt the main point is to treat the people well with respect. George hopes for his grandchildren and great-grandkids to have a good education, a good job, and marry into a fine family. His message for future generations is to be kind to one another and treat them as human beings.
Identifier
2010OH1015_03_Matsunaga
Oral History Item Type Metadata
URL
http://www.goforbroke.org/oral_histories/mp4/1015-Matsunaga-George-3.m4v
Date of Birth
1925 May 28
Location of Birth
War or Conflict
Branch of Service
Entrance into Service
Location of Basic Training
Citation
Matsunaga, George: narrator et al., “George Matsunaga oral history interview, part 3 of 3, October 9, 2010,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed April 28, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1052475.