https://www.discovernikkei.org/pt/resources/military/391/

Isao Oka

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Sexo Male
Birth date 1916-11-18
Local de nascimento Watsonville CA, U.S.A.
Inducted 1942-01-09, Monterey CA
Tipo de alistamento Draftee
Ramo das Forças Armadas Army
Tipo de serviço War
Tipo de Unidade Support
Unidades onde serviu MISLS (Graduated Snelling, Aug. 1944), Fort Snelling, MN
Psychological Warfare Unit in Manila
Civil Information and Education Section of MacArthur's Headquarters in Tokyo
Military specialty Military Intelligence
Interpreter
Translator
Radio broadcasting in Japanese in Manila, P.I.
Stationed USA: Ft. Warren, WY; Fort McClellan, AL; Fort Snelling, MN
Other Countries: Manila, P.I.; Tokyo, Japan
Separated Camp Beale CA
Unit responsibility In Manila, translating of all the scripts coming from Washington into Japanese everyday.

In Tokyo, censoring of all major newspaper articles prior to publication.
Personal responsibility Translating of daily script from Washington and broadcasting them by radio in the evening, every evening.
Also, was in charge of about 20 bi-lingual Japanese prisoners who helped us in the translation.
My principal duties were supervision of drawing of rations, guard duty, NCO in charge of sick calls and making daily reports to Bilibid Prison in Manila.
Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit) Distinguished Unit Badge June 10, 1945
MIS Faculty Award for 'The Most Outstanding Student' Class of May, 1945.
Living conditions In Manila we didn't have the comfort of a home, but living conditions were good. I was assigned to guard about 20 Japanese prisoners 24 hours a day, so they let us use one of the houses owned by then Philippine President Manuel Quezon's wife. She owned several houses throuout Manila. We had Chinese cook, so meals were good. We had our own regular bathroom.

One of my duties was to guard the Japanese prisoners 24 hrs. a day. However, I treated them well. Army rationed us a carton of cigarettes and a case of beer a week. Since I did not drink or smoke, I gave all my rations to the prisoners. Some prisoners like myself, didn't drink or smoke, so for them I went to Army PX to buy them gum and candies so everyonbe would have something. They liked it and we became very good friends. Not as a guard and prisoner.
Most vivid memory of military experience While stationed in Manila, I interpreted for Signal Corp. men interviewing Japanese prisoners. I recall going into hospital to interview Japanese prisoners. Many were dying and some were dead. Most of them were casualties of flame-throwers. Bodies of dead Japanese prisoners were being carried just outside the building and stacked up under a tree. As soon as we walked into the hospital the awful smell and sight almost knocked me out. I could vividly see the horrors of war which I will never forget. There should never ever be another war.
Missed most whilst in the military Missed family and friends.
Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience? Had an opportunity to meet people from all different parts of the country and learned how to get along with all of them and be friends. If all the world's nations could do the same there would never be a war. Also travelled to various parts of the country and enjoyed the sceneries. Also found out and appreciated that we have the best of everything right here in California.
Additional information I come from a family of seven brothers. Five of us served in the United States Army. The other two were in Japan at the outbreak of the war, therefore, they were conscripted into Japan's armed forces. One was a Kamikaze pilot and other a navyman. We all served our countries proudly and honorably to the best of our ability.


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