<Begin Segment 12>

MU: So, what was your job in Washington?

GK: Oh, Washington I was a language specialist in the order of battle section.

MU: You were the only one there?

GK: I was the only one in this particular section. There were translators, who translated (...) Japanese documents. And from that I established the reference cards, 5" x 8", and put down the name of the officers, from General Tojo down to newly appointed second lieutenant, with their background and specification. And kept that in the cabinet. (We had four cabinets with four drawers each, full of cards.) (These cabinets were) referred to as, "Koshi cabinets." And we had the complete list of Japanese army officers (...), with their specifications. And then I had some helpers. We reorganized that by unit, regiment, division, army, area, and then headquarters. So we knew exactly who were at top with Tojo. And in general staff, area command, divisional command, regimental command, and the (...) company (headquarters through our the Japanese army system.)

MU: Now, who had access to that information?

GK: Anyone had access, but according to the request, I was in charge. So anytime there was a request (...) I dispensed the information -- they were all military personnel. (Often I was asked to speak on Japanese military organizations.)

MU: That was a pretty important piece of information --

GK: I think so...

MU: -- that you were compiling.

GK: I was only a master sergeant, and all of my co-workers were officers, captain and up. But then I had to rationalize that at least this job is important.

<End Segment 12> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.