Susumu Sarae oral history interview, part 3 of 4, October 23, 2005

Files

Dublin Core

Description

During Susumu's service, he corresponds back home. Some soldiers who write back home can disclose their location. However, Susumu is part of the Naval Intelligence and is restricted on what he can write in his letters. He shares an instant when he is accused of being a spy.

Post-war in Okinawa, there are positive events that happen to Susumu. He receives a samurai sword from a pilot, caring for a boy who is a skilled mechanic and falls in love. Part of Susumu's duty port-war is to help the natives build 300 houses. He recounts times when he would trade whisky for equipment. He also meets with General Chiang Kai-Shek's son for the negotiation to bring American equipment back to China.

Susumu is discharged in Okinawa and starts working at a civilian job at the Ryukyu Review. Susumu feels that staying in Okinawa at the time has more opportunities for him versus coming back to Hawaii.

When he returns to Hawaii, Susumu says his homecoming is fun. Although he is returning as a civilian, he receives first-class treatment. He has three children and two great-grandchildren.

Identifier

2005OH0627_03_Sarae

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Date of Birth

1923 Aug 02

Location of Birth

War or Conflict

Branch of Service

Entrance into Service

Nickname

Location of Basic Training

Campaigns/Battles

Citation

Sarae, Susumu: narrator, Tsukano, Lloyd: interviewer, and Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher, “Susumu Sarae oral history interview, part 3 of 4, October 23, 2005,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed December 22, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1051747.