Roy Matsumoto Interview Segment 13

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ddr-densho-1001-40-13 (Legacy UID: denshovh-mroy_2-01-0013)

Being awarded the Legion of Merit

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

00:09:46 — Segment 13 of 17

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September 6, 2008

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Collection

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Collection

Courtesy of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community

ddr-densho-1001-40

Roy H. Matsumoto

Roy Matsumoto Interview

03:07:05 — 17 segments

September 6, 2008

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Nisei male. Born May 1, 1913, in Laguna, California. Lived in Japan from childhood through teenage years, before returning to the United States during high school. Incarcerated in the Santa Anita Assembly Center, California, and the Jerome concentration camp, Arkansas. Volunteered for the U.S. army in 1942, and was inducted in the Military Intelligence Service. Selected for a dangerous mission in Burma, becoming one of the famed Merrill's Marauders. Provided crucial intelligence information for the U.S. government after tapping into a Japanese army communications wire in Burma. Instrumental in a mission to hold Nhpum Ga hill in Burma, in which he shouted military orders in Japanese to confuse the attacking Japanese soldiers. Awarded the Legion of Merit from the U.S. military, and stationed in China and Japan after the war. Met future wife while working undercover in Japan. Inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1993.

(This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.)

John de Chadenedes, interviewer

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Collection

Courtesy of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community

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