CHECK LIST for Harold K. Johnson
1. Date of your arrival at: Fukuoka No. 1
31 January 1945
2. Please state its exact location if possible, or if this cannot be done, please describe its location with reference to other cities or prominent land marks.
Northwest edge of city of Fukuoka (direction not positive), about four miles from ferry ships along the coast. On main train line between Fukuoka and Kashii.
3. When was camp first occupied by prisoners of war? Were the first occupants Americans, British, Dutch or Australians?
All nationalities, including Wake Island civilians. Used as recuperation camp for Fukuoka area.
4. Number of Americans in your group and name of senior American officers.
194 (54 died in camp).
Col. Curtis T. Beecher, USMC
Col. Arthur L. Shreve, F.A.
Major Walter A. Kostecki, M.C. (in camp from inception)
5. Please give figures on personnel in this camp to the best of your knowledge. Your own group should be included in these figures.
Americans: No knowledge
Army:
Navy:
Marines:
Civilians:
British:
Dutch:
Australians:
Chinese:
Any other nationality:
Total: 755
6. Names and titles of Japanese camp officials.
No knowledge.
7. Please describe the condition of the following facilities:
a. Size of compound and type of fence: About 200 yds x 500 yds. Vertical split bamboo slats. No wire but patrolled by guards.
b. Housing
1. Number of barracks: 13
2. Size of barracks: 20 x 90
3. Type of construction: Rough wood with tar paper roof. Two windows in each end. Ventilators on sides.
4. Type of roof: Tar paper
5. Type of floor: Dirt
6. Type of interior construction: Raised platforms -- 24" above floor, used for both sleeping and living quarters. Covered with mats -- tatami.
c. Latrines
1. Location: Within 50 yards of barracks and kitchen and well.
2. Type: Concrete pit -- open holes in floor -- Individual stalls -- Walled and covered.
d. Bathing
1. Location: Behind barracks and near kitchen.
2. Type: 3½ canvas tubs supported by wooden tubs. No drain and common bath for all.
3. Size: Average tub for eight people -- crowded. About 3 x 8 x 4.
d. Mess
1. Type: Kitchen served to barracks in large containers where food was broken down in individual portions.
2. Amount of food: Limited -- Virtually no meat -- about 300 grams of rice or millet per day -- Greens and limited amount of root vegetable.
3. Preparation: Poor -- Kitchen dirty -- No supervision allowed by Americans although prisoners prepared food.
4. Quality: Always poor.
f. Medical attention and type of hospital: Same as barracks -- difficult to gain admission. Medical attention by American, Dutch and British doctors good. Medicines inadequate. No consideration for sick men by Japanese as regards work detail.
8. Type of work performed by prisoners of war.
a. Officers: Gardening and general police, including hauling human waste for fertilizer.
b. Enlisted men: General labor including digging tunnels in nearby hills.
9. What were the working conditions?
Officers -- Fair except that labor was not voluntary.
E. M. -- Poor. Too heavy work required for diet and physical punishment administered for derelictions.
10. Describe the conditions and restrictions on the sending and receiving of mail.
Letters written once a month. No mail received.
11. How much were the prisoners of war paid?
a. Officers: Same rate as Japanese officers of equal ranks -- Permitted to have only ¥40.00 in possession -- Balance to postal savings.
b. Enlisted men: Pvts and civilians ten sen per day (worked). NCOs -- 15 sen per day (worked).
12. Number of Red Cross parcels received and dates received.
6 Feb. 45 -- One 11# parcel for each three men -- No others while in this camp.
13. Clothing situation
a. What was issued by the Japanese and dates?
One wool uniform, including trousers and jacket, underwear and socks -- 1 unit
14. How was your treatment?
Poor -- Constant harassing by roll calls, inspections, and threat of punishment for minor delinquencies.
15. How was morale?
Low.
16. What were the religious facilities?
Church of England service each Sunday morning. Chaplain permitted some freedom in camp but required to work daily.
17. Date of departure from this camp?
25 April 1945
18. Number of Americans in this group?
140
19. Conditions en route and names of towns through which you passed.
Fukuoka -- Ferry to Fusan, Korea -- Rail to Jinsen by way of Keijo (Seoul) -- Day coaches -- Fed well and treatment comparatively good.
20. Destination:
Jinsen (Port Inchon), Korea
21. A rough sketch of the camp's lay-out showing the approximate size of the buildings. Please make sketch on reverse side of check list.
SKETCH (30K)
(NOTE ON SKETCH: "The sun came out so seldom I am uncertain about directions and would rather not confuse the issue with some individual who might know")
22. Name, rank and address of other officers or enlisted men who can furnish information concerning this prisoner of war camp.
Walter A. Kostecki, Maj., M.C. (Camp surgeon and excellent source
of information)
829 East 5th St., South Boston, Mass.
Col. Curtis T. Beecher, U.S.M.C. Senior American Officer
Col. A. L. Shreve, F.A. (RA) Senior Army Officer
Address unknown
23. Your name, rank, serial number, organization and home address.
Harold K. Johnson, Col., Inf.
O-19187 -- Unassigned (Formerly 57th Inf RS)
307 South Congress St., Aberdeen, S. Dak.
NOTE: Any other information which in your opinion will be of interest to this office should be placed on the reverse side of the check list.
Joseph Q. Johnson, ASN 19056236, after being duly sworn at 312 Gen. Hospital on 25 Sept. 1945, testified as follows:
Q: How old are you?
A: 22
Q: Were you captured by the Japanese and made a prisoner of war? If so, when and where?
A: May 7, 1942, Corregidor
Q: At the time of your capture of what unit were you a member?
A: 31 Inf. Regt. Phill. Division.
Q: By what Japanese unit were you captured?
A: By troops that took Corregidor.
Q: Do you expect to be repatriated, and if so, to what country?
A: U. S.
Q: What will your complete address be after your repatriation?
A: 3165 Joffre, Memphis, Tenn.
Q: Will you state the names and locations of the camps at which you were held as a prisoner of war and the dates you were confined at each camp?
Compound or Camp -- Location -- Dates
Bilibid -- 7 May 42 - 11 May 42
Cabanatuan Camp 3 -- 11 May 42 - 5 Sept 42
Nichols Field -- 6 Sept 42 - 26 Oct 43
Bilibid -- 26 Oct 43 - Dec 26 43
Cabanatuan Camp 1 -- 26 Dec 43 - 31 Jan 44
Zablin Field -- 31 Jan 44 - 8 Feb 44
Bilibid -- 8 Feb 44 - 6 May 44
Cabanatuan Camp 1 -- 6 May 44 - 29 Jun 44
Camp 1, Honshu -- Japan -- 2 Sept 44 - 4 Dec 44
Fukuoka, Camp 1 -- 4 Dec 44 - 1 Jan 45
Camp 17, Omuda -- Japan -- 1 Jan 45 - till liberated
Q: Do you know, or have you reason to believe, that the Imperial Japanese forces failed to treat prisoners of war with humanity or otherwise committed atrocities and war crimes against them?
A: Yes
Q: Will you state all facts in detail pertaining to atrocities, war crimes, violations of Rules and Land Warfare and human decency at Camp 1, Fukuoka, Japan, the dates thereof, the perpetrators, giving their names, ranks, units and other identifying information.
A: Dec. 4 '44 Jan. 1 '45
4 men, soldiers, 1 Dutch and 3 Americans got a light on cigarettes where some Koreans were sitting. They made them lay on the ground in push up positions and the Jap guard took a pole that would reach across all of them and proceeded to hit them as hard as he could. He hit them off and on for 3 hours. The Dutchman died and the 3 Americans had to go to the hospital, Dec-44. The guard's name was Hondason. He said his name was like Henry Fonda's.
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
(signed)
WILLIAM H. BROWN
CAPT. INF.
(signed) Joseph Q. Johnson
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25 day of Sept, 1945.
(signed) James H. Ross 2d Lt. Inf.
AFFIDAVIT
Classification changed from "CONFIDENTIAL" to "RESTRICTED" by order of the Secretary of War by ??? ???
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS:
City and County of San Francisco
JOSEPH QUITMAN JOHNSON, Private, ASN 19056236, 3165 Joffre Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
While an American soldier, I was detained by the Japanese as a prisoner of war at Fukuoka #1, Japan, from December 1, 1944 to January 31, 1945.
In the winter of 1944-1945 (December or January), exact date I cannot remember, at Fukuoka #1, Japan, four of the Allied prisoners of war got lights for their cigarettes from a Jap guards' fire. This was against regulations and they took these four men, three Americans and one Dutchman, and had all four lay in the dirt, push up position, close together, and the guard took a long bamboo pole as thick as a baseball bat and proceeded to beat these four prisoners of war. This way he could beat them all at the same time. This beating lasted about one hour. They were all very badly beaten, and they were still made to go back to work. A couple of days later, two of these men died from their wounds; one was an American and the other a Dutchman. I do not know their names. I saw the Jap guard do this beating. I do not know his name, but we all called him "The Beast". He was an average sized Jap, but had a large red rose. He made it a habit to beat anyone for no reason whatsoever. He beat most everyone in camp, but the above was the worst case.
The testimony I have given covers all the pertinent details of this incident which I an now able to remember.
(signed)
JOSEPH QUITMAN JOHNSON -- Pvt.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13 day of October 1945.
(signed) Charles E. Taylor Capt. JAGD
Interviewed by R. E. McAllister, Special Agent, SIC.
Perpetuation Of Testimony Of Gordon James Krysan
(Formerly civilian employee of "Contractors Pacific Naval Air Base")
My name is Gordon James Krysan. My permanent address is Calmar, Iowa. I am now 30 years old. I was a civilian employee of the "Contractors Pacific Naval Air Base". I started work at Wake Island on March 12, 1941. I returned to the United States on October 20, 1945. I was captured on Wake Island on December 23, 1941 by a Japanese Naval Unit.
The Japs kept about 350 civilians there until September 30, 1942. Then they took us to Camp #18 at Fukuoka. The camp was near Sasebo. We arrived there about October 13,1942. We were still under Navy guard.
There was a guard there named Egawa, whose nickname was "Guy Wire". I believe that his rank was "Haiso". He was responsible for the discipline of the camp and on numerous occasions he beat our men himself or had the guards do it. In the spring of 1943 he and several other guards came into the barracks after we were in bed. "Guy Wire" started beating a United States civilian, whose nickname was "Mama Burns". He used a club and beat him across the rump. Some of the other guards also took turns beating him. They said that Burns had stolen some vegetables.
In April 1944 I was taken to Camp #1 at Fukuoka. There was a guard there nicknamed "The Beast". His rank was probably a private. He was responsible for a Dutchman getting a beating from which he died in a few days.
The only real beating I ever had was at this camp. There was a guard there nicknamed "The Monk" because he looked so like a monkey. He wore a uniform but it didn't indicate any rank so I believe he was probably a civilian or a former soldier. In August or September of 1944 the wind blew some persimmons off a tree and I gathered up some and hid them in my gear in the barracks to ripen. They found them and called me to the medical room and told me that they would make me sick and took them away from me. That night after the Camp Commander Capt. Yuhichi Sakamoto had gone to town "The Monk" and a little medical orderly and several other guards started beating me in the face with their fists. After a short time I got into the barracks and they used a wooden dummy gun which they used for bayonet practice to beat me over the rump. They hit me so often that I couldn't sit down for a number of days. "The Monk" was still living in Fukuoka when we were liberated or left the camp.
(signed)
Gordon James Krysan
State Of Iowa
County Of Winneshiek
I, Gordon James Krysan, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing statement consisting of 1 page, and that it is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed) Gordon James Krysan
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Decorah, Iowa, U.S.A. this 26th day of August, 1946.
(signed) ???
Notary Public in and for Winneshiek County, Iowa.
My Commission Expires July 4, 1948.
- - - - - - - - - -
For the WAR CRIMES OFFICE
CIVIL AFFAIRS DIVISION, WDSS
United States of America
In the matter of the mistreatment of Gordon James Krysan, former civilian employee of (The Contractors Pacific Naval Air Base), and others while Prisoners of War at Fukuoka POW Camp No. 1 from April 1944 to September 1945
Perpetuation of Testimony of Gordon James Krysan
Taken at:
216 N. 10th Street
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Date:
17 February 1947
In the Presence of:
Capt. Durward A. Annis O-1300255
OIC, Hq Fond du Lac Sub-Office
Wis. State Senior Instructor, OR,
211 Post Office Bldg, Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin
Questions by: Captain Durward A. Annis
Q: State your name, permanent home address, and occupation.
A: Gordon James Krysan, Calmar, Iowa (Temporary address: 216 N. 10th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
Q: State the date and place of your birth and of what country you are a citizen.
A: 17 January 1916, Calmar, Iowa. I am a citizen of the United States by birth.
Q: What educational institutions have you attended and for how long?
A: I completed four years of high school in Calmar, Iowa and four months of an electrical trade school, Chicago, Illinois.
Q: What is your marital status?
A: I am single.
Q: On what date did you return from overseas?
A: 20 October 1945.
Q: Were you a prisoner of war?
A: Yes.
Q: At what places were you held, and state the approximate dates?
A: I was captured on Wake Island 23 December 1941 by Japanese Naval unit. I was there until 30 September 1942, then to Camp No. 18 at Fukuoka. I was at Fukuoka until April 1944 then transferred to Camp No. 1 at Fukuoka until liberated. I was liberated on 16 September 1945.
Q: What unit were you with when captured?
A: I was a former civilian employee of Contractors Pacific Naval Air Base.
Q: Do you recall the name or the nickname of the Camp Commander of Fukuoka POW Camp No. 1?
A: Captain Yuhichi Sakamoto was the name of the Camp Commander.
Q: What was his attitude toward American prisoners?
A: He always treated us rough and he was hard on any prisoner.
Q: Did he see to it that the prisoners were provided with adequate rations, clothing and fuel?
A: We never got adequate rations or clothes and we didn't get any fuel.
Q: What was his attitude toward sick prisoners? Did he make any allowances for those who were too ill to work?
A: He was brutal to the sick. He would knock them down and kick them in the face, and make them work while sick. He also cut their rations.
Q: Did you on any occasion ever witness the Camp Commander beat or otherwise mistreat American or Allied prisoners? If so, give the circumstances surrounding each incident, approximate date, names of the victims and extent of his injuries.
A: No. I never saw Sakamoto beat a man because he always had his guards do it. But I would say that he was responsible for most of the brutality in this Camp.
Q: Did you on any occasion see or hear of the Camp Commander misappropriating Red Cross supplies?
A: I know we were not getting all our supplies because I saw quite a few empty containers around the Headquarters Building, but I don't know exactly who took them.
Q: Have you anything further to add concerning illegal acts committed by the Camp Commander?
A: No, I can't think of any.
Q: Do you recall the name or the nickname of the second in command at this Camp?
A: The Second in Command was called Tomitos [Tomita?].
Q: What was his attitude toward American Prisoners?
A: As long as you towed the line he treated you alright but if you got out of line then he was really rough.
Q: Did he see to it that prisoners were provided with adequate rations, clothing and fuel?
A: He didn't have much authority over this situation. The Camp Commander had complete authority over rations, clothing and fuel.
Q: What was his attitude toward sick prisoners? Did he make any allowances for those who were too ill to work?
A: He treated them pretty rough. The sick that were left in camp he would drive to do camp work.
Q: Did you on any occasion ever see or hear of Tomitos beating or mistreating any prisoners?
A: Yes. Men who were beaten by him told me about it but I don't recall the names of the fellows who were beaten. We were beaten by so many different Japs that it's hard to connect the beating with the individual Jap who did a specific beating.
Q: Did Tomitos ever appropriate Red Cross supplies?
A: Not that I can definitely prove.
Q: Have you anything further to add concerning illegal acts committed by Tomitos, Second in Command?
A: No.
Q: Do you recall the name or nickname of the interpreter of Fukuoka POW Camp No. 1?
A: His name was Katsura.
Q: What was his attitude toward American Prisoners?
A: He was fairly good to us unless the Camp Commander would step on his toes, he would then have to get tough. He administered quite a few beatings but usually they were at the Commanding Officer's command, but he did beat same of the men because they were disobeying orders and these beatings were on his own initiative.
Q: What was his attitude toward sick prisoners? Did he make any allowance for those who were too ill to work?
A: He didn't like sick prisoners. This was a Japanese trait. None of the Japanese that I encountered were good to sick prisoners.
Q: Did you on any occasion ever witness the interpreter Katsura beat or otherwise mistreat American or Allied prisoners?
A: I don't recall any specific incident but he was no different than the rest of the Japanese in this Camp. They were all brutal and at one time or another have taken part in the beating of prisoners.
Q: Do you recall a guard at the Fukuoka POW Camp No. 1 who was nicknamed "The Beast"?
A: Yes. He is the person whose photograph I identified.
Q: What was his attitude toward American prisoners?
A: He was very brutal with all the prisoners.
Q: Did you on any occasion ever see or hear of "The Beast" beating or otherwise mistreating American or Allied Prisoners? If so, give the circumstances surrounding each incident, approximate date, names of the victims and extent of his injuries?
A: Yes. He was responsible for a Dutchman (I don't recall his name) getting a beating from which he died in a few days. I actually saw this beating. He used a club. "The Beast" beat just about everyone in camp. Everyone was scared of him because he was so brutal The Dutchman's beating occurred about February 1945. He beat so many people that it is hard to remember the exact happenings of this case, but this was the worst.
Q: Were you ever beaten or mistreated by any of the personnel at this Camp? (Camp No. 1 Fukuoka)
A: Yes. The only beating I ever had was at this Camp. There was a guard there nicknamed "The Monk" because he looked so much like a monkey. He wore a uniform but it didn't indicate any rank so I believe he was probably a civilian or a former soldier. In August or September 1944 the wind blew some persimmons off a tree and I gathered up some and hid them in my gear in the barracks to ripen. They found them and called me to the medical room and told me that they would make me sick and took them away from me. That night after the Camp Commander, Capt. Yuhichi Sakamoto had gone to town "The Monk" and a little medical orderly and several other guards started beating me in the face with their fists. After a short time I got into the barracks and they used a wooden dummy gun which they used for a bayonet practice to beat me over the rump. They hit me so often that I could not sit down for a number of days. "The Monk" was still living in Fukuoka when we were liberated or left the Camp. The little medical orderly's name was Hata. He was the worst one in on this deal. He was the one who used the dummy gun to beat me. The side view picture resembles him but he was never that fat.
Q: Do you have anything further to add?
A: No.
(signed) Gordon James Krysan
State of Wisconsin
SS
County of Manitowoc
I, Gordon James Krysan, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing transcription of my interrogation and all answers contained therein are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of February 1947.
(signed)
DURWARD A. ANNIS,
Captain, Infantry
Summary Court per par
4 SO 17, Hq Wisconsin Mil. Area 46.
CERTIFICATE
I, DURWARD A. ANNIS, Captain, Infantry, certify that GORDON JAMES KRYSAN, personally appeared before me on 17 February 1947 and testified concerning war crimes; and that the foregoing is an accurate transcription of the answers given by him to the several questions set forth.
Place: Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Date: 17 February 1947.
(signed)
DURWARD A. ANNIS, Capt., Inf.
OIC, Hq Fond du Lac Sub-Office
Wis. State Senior Instructor, OR,
211 Post Office Bldg, Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin.
Intelligence Field Office
Box 951, Portland, Oregon
AFFIDAVIT
5 August 1946
STATE OF OREGON
SS
COUNTY OF MULTNOMAH
I, John Lapay, being of legal age, residing at 221 South West Montgomery Street, Portland, Oregon, being duly sworn upon my oath, deposes and state:
I was employed in a civilian status as a dredge repairman for the Morrison- Knudsen Construction Company Incorporated, Box 1518, Boise, Idaho, under contract for construction of an air base for the United States Navy at Wake Island. I was captured by the Japanese on Wake Island 23 December 1941 and was held prisoner on Wake Island until 1 September 1942 when I was taken to Prisoner of War Camp #18, Sasebo, Japan. I was later, I believe in May 1943 [1944], transferred to Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp #1 located on the outskirts of the city of Fukuoka, Kyushu Island, Japan.
While at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp we had a Japanese Soldier named Takeo Katsura who supervised our movements and also was our interpreter. Katsura is 5'8" to 5'10" tall, weight 175 to 185 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, has a very round face and is heavy set. Katsura speaks the English language very well as he had, prior to the war, lived in the United States six or seven years.
One day, while at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp, I believe the date to be sometime in May 1944, another prisoner known to me as Ed Young, another civilian employed with me at Wake Island, and I were taken to a Machine Shop outside the camp to work. We were held at this shop until late evening and upon our return to camp we found we had missed our evening meal. We went to the guard barracks and informed Katsura that we had missed our evening meal and asked him if he could get us something to eat. Katsura took as to the barracks where we usually eat our meals. Upon our arrival there Katsura told us that if we had missed our meal it was our own fault as the other prisoners should have saved something for us. After telling us this he took off his Tabi shoes (tennis shoes, rubber soled) and slapped us across the face several times with them and then struck us two or three times in the face with his fists. Katsura then walked off telling us never to bother him again. Other than scars about my face, I received no permanent injuries as a result of this beating.
The above statement constitutes all the details of this incident which I am now able to recall.
(signed)
John Lapay
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of August 1946, at Portland, Oregon.(signed) William H. Klinger, Capt. Adj., Hq., Oreg. Mil. Dist.
CERTIFICATE
STATE OF OREGON
COUNTY OF MULTNOMAH
I, Keith A. Sorenson, certify that John Lepay personally appeared before me on the 5th day of August 1946 at Portland, Oregon and made the foregoing statement concerning War Crimes.
(signed)
Keith A. Sorenson
Special Agent, CIC
CHECK LIST for Clinton S. Maupin
1. Date of your arrival at: Fukuoka No. 1
January 30, 1945
2. Please state its exact location if possible, or if this cannot be done, please describe its location with reference to other cities or prominent land marks.
On outskirts of Fukuoka. Near a power plant [in Najima] - Steam and electric railways immediately adjacent - several hundred yards to ocean.
3. When was camp first occupied by prisoners of war? Were the first occupants Americans, British, Dutch or Australians?
Exact date unknown - Camp was recently built - First occupants were Americans, British and Dutch
4. Number of Americans in your group and name of senior American officers.
Approximately 200 - Lt. Col.'s Amarost, Alexander, Kramer, Moore, North, Schwartz, Lt. Col. Beecher USMC.
5. Please give figures on personnel in this camp to the best of your knowledge. Your own group should be included in these figures.
Americans: 300?
Army: Some of all
Navy:
Marines:
Civilians:
British: [check mark]
Dutch: [check mark]
Australians:
Chinese:
Any other nationality:
Total: 500?
6. Names and titles of Japanese camp officials.
Lt. Sakamoto C.O.
Pvt. Hata medical orderly
7. Please describe the condition of the following facilities:
a. Size of compound and type of fence: 200 x 75 yds. Bamboo picket fence.
b. Housing
1. Number of barracks: 12 or 13?
2. Size of barracks: 20' x 50'?
3. Type of construction: wood
4. Type of roof: wood and tar paper
5. Type of floor: wooden platform on either side of an earthen aisle
6. Type of interior construction: Gable roof with longitudinal board cat walk. Platforms covered with straw mats. No heat - no water
c. Latrines
1. Location: Some 15 yds. from barracks, some 40 yds.
2. Type: wooden building and urine trough one end, rest compartmented with doors and narrow opening into pit beneath.
d. Bathing
1. Location: near cook house, center of camp
2. Type: 4 vats along wall capable of holding 6 to 8 men at a time. No change of water between bathers. Baths seldom available. Claimed was not enough fuel to heat the water.
3. Size:
d. Mess
1. Type: Rice and soup and bread cooked in a central kitchen and delivered to barracks in wooden buckets.
2. Amount of food: 1 7-ounce? bun and 1 bowl soup 3 times daily to sick people. 1 light mess kit of rice and 1 bowl soup 3x daily for others.
3. Preparation: Poorly prepared, undercooked and contained no salt.
4. Quality: Very low. Dough for bread mixed with rice.
f. Medical attention and type of hospital: 1 American, 1 British and 2 Dutch doctors assigned to cover area. Were provided with virtually no medicine. Hospital was a barrack like all others.
8. Type of work performed by prisoners of war.
a. Officers: Gardening - carrying excreta for fertilizer, cleaning out latrines, policing.
b. Enlisted men: Same plus outside details to airport, etc.
9. What were the working conditions?
Very poor - no equipment
10. Describe the conditions and restrictions on the sending and receiving of mail.
No mail received. Supposedly allowed to send some radiograms. Not provided for all.
11. How much were the prisoners of war paid?
a. Officers: 20 - 30 yen/month.
b. Enlisted men: Med. ncos[?] 5 -10 yen/month
12. Number of Red Cross parcels received and dates received.
1/3 box per man sometime in February or March - (1 issue only)
13. Clothing situation
a. What was issued by the Japanese and dates?
1 overcoat, 1 skull cap, 1 suit of underwear, 1 sox, 1 jacket, 1 long pants. Jan. 30, 1945
14. How was your treatment?
Personally I was not mistreated other than by the food, cold, and privation.
15. How was morale?
Fair
16. What were the religious facilities?
Virtually nonexistent
17. Date of departure from this camp?
April 25, 1945
18. Number of Americans in this group?
140
19. Conditions en route and names of towns through which you passed.
Were well fed, rode in fairly comfortable quarters aboard ship from Fukuoka to Fusan, Korea. Railway passenger train 2 to seat. Stopped at Seoul for a brief period.
20. Destination: Jinsen, Korea
21. A rough sketch of the camp's lay-out showing the approximate size of the buildings. Please make sketch on reverse side of check list.
SKETCH (34K)
22. Name, rank and address of other officers or enlisted men who can furnish information concerning this prisoner of war camp.
Montgomery, Austin J., Lt. Col. USA, 14754 Greenleaf St., Van Nuys,
Cal.
Alexander, Irvin, Col. USA, 403 E. Evergreen, San Antonio, Tex.
Moore, Dennis M., Col. USA, 318 Arcadia Pl., San Antonio, Tex.
23. Your name, rank, serial number, organization and home address.
CLINTON S MAUPIN, Lt. Col. M.C. O-338092
Waurika, Okla.
NOTE: Any other information which in your opinion will be of interest to this office should be placed on the reverse side of the check list.
This report is of necessity very vague as I was very ill most of this time and unable to be very much aware of the surroundings.
PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY OF DAYTON GOODMAN MAYO
(CORPORAL, ASN: 20 815 464)
KERENS, TEXAS
My name is Dayton Goodman Mayo. My permanent home address is Route #2, Kerens, Texas. I am a Corporal, Serial No. 20 815 464, stationed at Tarrant Field, Ft. Worth, Texas, in Squadron 8. I enlisted November 25, 1940, in the Regular Army, after three years in the National Guard. I went overseas November 21, 1941 and returned to the States on October 20, 1945. I was discharged on June 16, 1940, and re-enlisted June 27, 1946.
I was captured in Java on March 11, 1942, and was held there about six months.
We were transferred from Batavia, Java, to Singapore on a small freighter named MATTI MARU, There were about 500 of us crowded into the bottom hold of the ship, where ordinarily there would have been room for about 100. A great number of these men became sick, and a Lieutenant Hollis Allen, who was in command of the American prisoners, tried vainly to get the sick men out of the hold. Each time he would climb the ladder they would kick him and beat him in the face and hit him over the head with rifle butts and knock him back down in the hold. We received very little water and food on this trip, and the sanitary conditions were terrible. This trip occurred in either July or August, 1942.
We got to Nagasaki and had ten days' rest in the camp and then were sent to the shipyards to work. We worked there building boilers and doing other hard, skilled labor. We would go to work at 7 A.M. and work until 5 P.M. If we didn't do our work well they would work us until 6 or 7 P.M.
In the camp there were no baths, and we walked about a mile to take a bath about once a month. We went on that way for about six months, and then we got a bath in the camp. After that we got a bath about every other night.
The food was rotten. I lost weight down to 110 lbs. My normal weight is 180 lbs.
We were allowed to smoke only around fires. If the boys disregarded this rule they were beaten very badly. Just for any small infraction of rules, such as wearing our cap crooked or wearing it in the house, or going into the hall with it off, or sitting on the end of the bed and smoking, we would he beaten and put in a cell and given light food once a day.
One time when the Red Cross parcels came the Japs would take them, rip them open, take the cigarettes, chewing gum, candy, tobacco, and then give us only toothbrushes, powder, and maybe one bar of soap.
Working conditions at Nagasaki were very bad. We worked in a foundry melting iron. We had to pick up and carry pieces of iron weighing 100 to 150 lbs. We melted about 80 tons of iron a day. Four men would work melting iron with coal, which was very hot. When we would pour the iron it would sometimes splash on us and burn our skin. We would not get any medical attention for these burns. We had civilian bosses. We called one of them "Big Head" and the other one "Scarface". They were very mean. We would carry cement for them. Each man carried 75 bags a day as far as three blocks. They were 130 lb. sacks. The cement would get in the sores and burns on our bodies and set up infection. We received no medical attention.
At Forkorka [Fukuoka] City, about 50 miles north of Nagasaki, we lived in a grass hut with cedar bark walls. We lived there through the winter of 1944 -- people freezing, feet freezing, blood poison setting up, pneumonia, not enough cover, no medical attention. When summer came we moved into a better camp, which we had had to build ourselves during the winter. We walked four miles to work every morning while building the camp. We moved into the new camp [Hakozaki] January 18, 1945, and lived there until the war was over. While we were building the camp some of the men worked with crippled feet and other injuries, and I worked with nine boils under both of my arms, running a high temperature. We worked digging tunnels for two months, and then they switched us to working in a lumber yard. That was the place where they dealt all supplies. I was shoeing horses and making horse shoes. They treated the men very dirty. They caught five men smoking, and they beat them so badly that two of them died in less than ten days. One was a Dutchman, and the other was an Englishman. The guards at Camp No. 1, Forkorka City, beat the men. That was January, 1945. They made us all stand out in the cold from 6 o'clock until 12 o'clock at night as punishment because they thought one man had escaped.
Some of the Red Cross parcels containing leather shoes and medicine were kept by the Japanese two years, and we were made to wear rubber shoes or go without and had to go without medicine.
While in prison camp, I suffered from diarrhea and lack of food, shelter, medical supplies, clothes. My sinus trouble became very bad. My back is bad and weak and painful now from the beatings I got while in the hands of the Japs. My chest hurts, and it has been X-rayed but I have received no treatment for it.
(signed)
DAYTON GOODMAN MAYO
State of Texas
County of Navarro
Dayton Goodman Mayo, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing statement consisting of four (4) pages, and that it is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed)
DAYTON GOODMAN MAYO
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Corsicana, Texas, U.S.A., this 30th day of August, 1946.
KING F. ELLIOTT
Notary Public in and for the County of Navarro, State of Texas
- - - - - - - - - -
Perpetuation of Testimony of Dayton Goodman Mayo (Cpl., ASN 20815464)
Ft. Worth Army Air Field
Taken at: Ft. Worth Army Air Field, Ft. Worth, Texas
Date: 24 January 1947
In the Presence of: John R. Clements, S/A 112th C.I.C. Det.
Questions By: John R Clements, S/A 112th C.I.C. Det.
Q: State your name, rank, serial number and permanent home address.
A: My name is Dayton Goodman Mayo, Cpl., 20815464, Kerens, Texas.
Q: Were you formally a prisoner of War of the Japanese?
A: Yes, I was taken prisoner 11 March 1942 at the city of Surabyn, Dutch East Indies, Java
Q: What was your organization at time of capture?
A: I was in the 131st Field Artillery, 36 Div.
Q: Were you held prisoner at Fukuoka, Camp number one, Japan?
A: Yes, I was held here from on or about Sept 1944 until Aug 1945
Q: Do you recall any atrocities committed at this camp?
A: Yes, we were slapped around a lot. On 1 Jan 1945, I was smoking near the fire and a Japanese guard, known as "Bulldog", took me behind the Guard House and beat me with an axe handle for about a half hour. In addition to myself he beat an American soldier, who was from the 200 Field Artillery. I don't remember his name but he was 5' 6" tall, 110 lbs., brown eyes, black hair, of Spanish origin, and captured in the Philippines.
Q: Do you remember any other atrocities committed at this camp?
A: No, none other than the ones mentioned on attached Photo.
Q: Can you personally testify as to the fact in this affidavit?
A: Yes
(signed)
Cpl. Dayton Goodman Mayo
State of Texas
SS
County of Tarrant
- - - - - - - - - -
I, Dayton Goodman Mayo, Cpl., ASN 20815464, 25th Bomber Squadron, Fort Worth Army Air Field, Fort Worth, Texas, of lawful age, being sworn on oath, state that the picture attached to this affidavit is the Japanese guard known as "Bucktooth". Sometime in January 1945 "Bucktooth" and another guard, whose name I do not know, but I believe this guard was the one we nicknamed "Bulldog", beat five (5) men because these men were smoking during our smoking time but they were not close enough to the fire. During our smoking time we were supposed to stand near a fire. Two (2) of these five (5) men were Dutchmen, whose names or descriptions I can not relate, one (1) was a Javanese, whose name I can not relate, and two (2) were Americans. One of these American's names was Cpl. Turner, from New Mexico. This Japanese known as "Bulldog" was approximately five feet, five inches (5'5") tall, stocky build, weight 139 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, and couldn't speak English. "Bucktooth" and "Bulldog" beat these five (5) men with green bamboo poles six (6) feet long and about one and one half (1½) inches in diameter. They beat these five (5) men to unconsciousness. This beating took place for approximately one and one half (1½) hours. At another time "Bucktooth" hit a 75 year old man over the head with a hammer which knocked him unconscious. The old man was about six (6) feet tall, blue eyes, gray hair, weighed about two hundred (200} lbs., and had a mustache. To the best of my knowledge this old man is still alive. This incident took place sometime during the middle of January 1945. On or about 10 August 1945 "Bucktooth" participated in the beating of three (3) Americans, two (2) Dutchmen, and one (1) Englishman, because they had stolen some peanut oil. There were three (3) or four (4) Japanese guards, whose names or descriptions I can not relate, and the Camp Commander, who also participated in this beating. The Camp Commander was a 1st Lt., five feet six inches (5'6") tall, black hair, brown eyes, 140 lbs., couldn't speak English, and was always pushing someone around. These six (6) men were beat with pick handles for about one half (½) an hour.
(signed)
Dayton Goodman Mayo
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of February 1947, at Fort Worth Army Air Field, Fort Worth, Texas.
(signed)
(Mrs.) Edith M. Crenshaw, Notary Public, Tarrant County, Texas
I, Dayton Goodman Mayo, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the forgoing transcription of my interrogation and all answers contained therein are true the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed)
Cpl Dayton Goodman Mayo
Subscribed and sworn before me this 24 January 1947 at Fort Worth Army Air Base, Fort Worth, Texas.
My Commission expires 1 June 1947.
(signed)
(Mrs.) Edith M. Crenshaw, Notary Public in and for Tarrant County, Texas.
Perpetuation of the Testimony of HARRY LAWRENCE McCLUSKEY, 1315 Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California.
In the matter of atrocities committed at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, Japan.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES)
I, HARRY LAWRENCE McCLUSKEY, 1315 Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, being first duly sworn according to law, upon my oath depose and say that: My full name is HARRY LAWRENCE McCLUSKEY. I formerly resided at 622 North Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, California, which is the present address and residence of my mother. I am a Corporal in the United States Army, and I am now on terminal leave awaiting discharge. My Army serial number is 19049013. At the outbreak of the recent war between the United States and Japan, 7 December 1941, I was a member of the 19th Bomb Group, U. S. Army Air Force, stationed in the Philippine Islands. I was captured by Imperial Japanese Army Forces invading Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 6 May 1942, where I was held as a prisoner of war until 10 December 1942. I was then transferred to the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp, approximately 120 kilometers north of Manila, where I was confined from 16 December 1942 until 15 June 1944. I was then transferred to the Bilibid Prisoner of War Camp at Manila, where I remained from 15 June 1944 to 4 July 1944, when I was placed on board a Japanese Prisoner of War Transport, name unknown to me, at Manila and transported to Moji, Japan, where I landed 7 September 1944. I was then taken to Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 17, where I remained from 8 September 1944 to 15 December 1944. I was then transferred to Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, where I remained from 16 December 1944 to 20 June 1945. I was then transferred to Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 12, where I remained from 20 June 1945 until 8 September 1945, at which time, with seven of my fellow prisoners of war, and I left camp on our own and proceeded to Moji, Japan, by train from where we continued on to Yokohama where we reported to a unit of the Sixth United States Army. I then returned to the United States arriving at San Francisco, California, 30 October 1945.
FUKUOKA PRISONER OF WAR CAMP NO. 1, JAPAN:
I was confined at this prisoner of war camp from about 16 December 1944 through 20 June 1945. I have previously testified regarding the beatings of myself and four other prisoners of war by a Japanese soldier guard who is known to me as "The Beast", in an affidavit dated 5 September 1946. The following additional testimony by me supplements testimony related in my former affidavit:
On or about 10 January 1945, I was one of a group of prisoners assigned to do labor work on the construction of a new prison camp site which was located approximately seven miles from our camp and which the prisoners at this camp were slated to occupy upon its completion. We were marched to and from work, mornings and evenings, by Japanese guards. It so happened on this particular day, on or about 10 January 1945, that a few minutes after our break period for lunch, I put a canteen full of water in a small fire, tended and used by Korean laborers for heating purposes as the weather at this time of the year was cold, intending to have hot water for tea during the lunch period. Heating water in this manner was a common every day practice of prisoners on this work detail and had been permitted, until this day, by our captors. Just as our morning's work was concluded, I took my canteen of hot water from the fire and joined my fellow prisoners to be counted by Japanese guards before we were permitted to eat our rice and watery greens soup. A Japanese guard known to me as "The Beast" noticed the canteen of hot water I had and pulled me out of the formation. This same guard also pulled four other prisoners from this formation and ordered the five of us to line up and stand at attention. The five of us remained standing at attention for approximately fifteen minutes, and while we were doing so, I could see "The Beast" walking around the camp site picking up bamboo poles. At the end of our standing at attention, The Beast then forced the five of us into a push-up position and from this push-up position ordered us to stand on our heads. I am sure that The Beast did this for the amusement of the other Japanese guards. The five of us made efforts to stand on our heads for a period of time, I would estimate from five to ten minutes. The five prisoners involved in this incident were myself, Cpl. John Cherne, a member of the 200th Coast Artillery, who fought on Bataan, Philippine Islands, during the early stages of the war prior to his being captured; an enlisted man known to me as "Jim" of the United States Navy who was a baker on board the U.S.S. KANOPIS prior to his being captured; and two Dutch soldiers whose names are unknown to me. I cannot further identify the two Dutch soldiers. The Beast, of course, was punishing me for heating the water in my canteen. Cpl. Cherne told me The Beast was punishing him for being late to the lunch period formation, but Cherne told me that he was innocent of this wrongdoing. Jim said that The Beast was punishing him for having two small diakons (radishes) in his possession. The two Dutch soldiers both stated to me, while we were standing at attention, that they were innocent of any infraction of camp rules. I do not know why The Beast punished the two Dutch soldiers.
All during the time the five of us were standing on our heads, The Roast kept threatening us with the bamboo poles, or clubs, he had gathered during the fifteen minutes we had stood at attention. Cpl. Cherne and one of the two Dutch soldiers were weaker than the rest of us and consequently experienced great difficulty standing on their heads. The Beast seemed to resent their being weak as subsequent developments will indicate. As a matter of fact all five of us were in a pitiful physical condition.
After The Beast was apparently satisfied that all five of us were exhausted from standing on our heads, he forced us into the push-up position again. While we were lined up in this position, The Beast began beating one of the Dutch soldiers, who happened to be on the end of the line, with one of the bamboo poles he had picked up while we were standing at attention. These bamboo clubs averaged four feet in length and tapered in diameter from two and one-half inches to one and one-quarter inches. The Beast beat this Dutch soldier about the head, back, buttocks, and legs until the Dutchman collapsed to the ground, in my opinion, in a semi-conscious condition. The Beast then grabbed the Dutch soldier by his waist belt and raised him up a few inches off the ground and proceeded to beat him some more. I would estimate that I saw The Beast strike this Dutch soldier at least fifteen times. The Beast then began clubbing the second man in line with the same bamboo pole already described. This second prisoner in line was also a Dutch soldier and I estimate that I saw The Beast strike him from fifteen to twenty times before this second Dutch soldier collapsed to the ground. This Dutch soldier was weak because of his poor physical condition and this seemed to anger The Beast. I am sure that The Beast struck this second Dutch soldier more times and harder than he struck the first man in line. The third man in line was Cpl. Cherne who was also in very poor physical condition. I saw The Beast select another bamboo pole and begin clubbing Cpl. Cherne. Cpl. Cherne was weak and could not take this beating very well which seemed, to me, to anger The Beast all the more. I saw Cpl. Cherne collapse several tines from his push-up position to the ground due to the blows of the bamboo club wielded by The Beast plus sheer physical exhaustion. I observed that each time Cherne collapsed to the ground, The Beast would grab him by his improvised rice-straw waist belt and, after pulling Cherne back to the push-up position, continued to beat the latter on his head, shoulders, back, buttocks, and legs until Cpl. Cherne was in a state of semi-consciousness. I estimate that during this beating, I saw The Beast strike Cherne with the bamboo club at least twenty times. I was the fourth man in this push-up line and next to Cpl. Cherne. The Beast had broken and splintered the bamboo club he had used on Cherne. He discarded this club and picked up another one of approximately the same dimensions and then began beating me on the back, buttocks, and legs. The Beast struck me about fifteen times with this four-foot bamboo club and, although this beating was very painful, I was able to retain my push-up position which seemed to please The Beast. My back, buttocks, and legs soon began to feel paralyzed and numb because of the beating. As I have herein before stated, I was in a little better physical condition than Cpl. Cherne and the Dutch soldier who was second in line. After concluding his clubbing of me, The Beast then began clubbing Jim, who was fifth and the last man in this push-up line, with the same bamboo club he used to beat me. I saw The Beast strike Jim about fifteen times in the sane manner he had beaten me. Jim was able to take this beating without losing his push-up position which seemed to please The Beast. I believe that The Beast beat Jim and myself with about the same degree of severity.
After beating Jim, The Beast then attempted to get the other Japanese guards to carry on with the beatings of myself, Cpl. Cherne, Jim, and the two Dutch soldiers. The Japanese guards declined to comply with The Beast's request, obviously taking the attitude that the five of us had already been punished too much. The Beast then rested for approximately five minutes and then began beating us all over again. The Beast beat each one of us for the second time while we were lined up in a push-up position. He used bamboo clubs as above described and struck each one of us an average of fifteen blows apiece. I observed that during this second phase of our beating, Cpl. Cherne and the second Dutch soldier were again beaten more viciously than the first Dutch soldier, Jim, or myself. The Beast seemed utterly insane. I later learned that a British Sergeant Major had left the scene of the beatings and went for an interpreter known to me as Katsura who refused to come and appease The Beast. Katsura, however, could no doubt furnish information that would identify The Beast. After clubbing all of us for the second time, The Beast then proceeded to club each one of us for the third time apiece, again averaging about fifteen blows with the bamboo clubs. During this third phase of our beatings, I observed that again Cpl. Cherne and the second Dutch soldier in the push-up line seemed to get the worse of it. We five of us were in a very bad physical condition by this time. After concluding his third clubbing of each of us, The Beast walked away and left us there on the ground. About three minutes later, another Japanese guard came over to where we were and told us to get up. Our beatings had been witnessed by all fellow prisoners of war present on that day's work detail, but I am unable to recall any of their names. I was not able to eat the rice that had been saved for me by fellow prisoners as my beating by The Beast had rendered me too weak. I was also unable to work any more that day. My legs and buttocks soon swelled to twice their normal size. If it had not been for the assistance of my fellow prisoners of war, I would not have been able to march the seven miles back to camp that evening. I saw Jim and Cpl. Cherne also being helped back to camp by fellow prisoners of war. I also knew positively that one of the two Dutch soldiers collapsed during the march back to camp and was carried the remainder of the way by fellow Dutch prisoners. I know definitely that one of the two Dutch soldiers beaten by The Beast on this occasion, died within three days following the beating. I also heard, before I left this camp, that the other Dutch soldier had also died, but this is hearsay and I am not sure of this. Upon my return to camp that evening, Captain Kostecki, U.S. Army Medical Department, our camp doctor, treated my swelling and bruises, and he commented at this time, that it, might be necessary for him to lance the swelling in my legs and buttocks for the purpose of minimizing very likely infection. Doctor Kostecki also commented that my condition at this time was worse than any other victim of a beating that he had had occasion to treat. Dr. Kostecki, who acted without the knowledge of our captors, took it upon himself to keep Cpl. Cherne, Jim, and myself in camp for the next ten to twelve days. If Dr. Kostecki had not been able to keep me in camp from the work detail during this ten or twelve days period, I feel certain that I would have given up since I laid on my mat most of this time barely able to move and fellow prisoners carried my rice and soup to me. I could not even walk to the urinal but, instead, urinated in empty powdered milk cans which were disposed of for me by fellow prisoners of war.
I know for certain that The Beast beat and mistreated other prisoners at this camp in addition to his beating of Cpl. Cherne, Jim, the two Dutchmen and myself, but I cannot remember specific incidents. A description of The Beast is as follows: Height, about 5' 7"; weight, 155 to 160 pounds; build, stocky; complexion, lighter than average Japanese; stature, not erect; eyes, wild-looking. Remarks: He was always shouting at prisoners. The Beast was an enlisted man in the Japanese Army who did approximately thirty days guard duty at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, beginning about 4 January 1945. The Japanese soldier guards at this camp were changed about each thirty days and they were no doubt stationed at a garrison somewhere in the area of this prison camp.
The Beast is definitely not the same Japanese whose photograph was shown to me by Special Agent Ralph W. Montgomery, Counter Intelligence Corps, U. S. Army, 20 February 1947, at 622 North Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, California, since I recognize the Japanese pictured in this photograph to be a Japanese known to me as "Big Stupe," who was a civilian Japanese guard at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, during my entire period of confinement at this camp. The "Big Stupe" claimed that he had been wounded as a combat soldier during Japan's China campaign. I have seen the Big Stupe beat and mistreat prisoners at this camp, but I am not able to recall specific incidents. Big Stupe's description is as follows: Height, 5' 9" approximately; weight, about 160 pounds; build, stocky; stature, erect; complexion, lighter than average Japanese. Remarks: Partially deaf and had protruding lips. Big Stupe wore an insignia consisting of a line or series of stars, decreasing in size from right to left as one would see the insignia while standing in front of him, sewed on his outer clothing just over his left breast.
This is all the pertinent information regarding this matter that I am able to recall.
(signed)
HARRY LAWRENCE McCLUSKEY
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4 day of March 1947, at Los Angeles, California.
(signed)
JOSEPH P. STAPOWICH
Captain, TC
Summary Court
CERTIFICATE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I, Ralph W. Montgomery, Special Agent, CIC, 6th Army, certify that HARRY LAWRENCE McCLUSKEY personally appeared before me on the 20 day of February 1947, at Burbank, California, and made the foregoing statement concerning war crimes.
(signed)
RALPH W. MONTGOMERY, S/AGENT, CIC
[ON REVERSE SIDE OF PHOTO]
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I, Harry Lawrence McCluskey, being first duly sworn depose and say that I was a prisoner of war at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, Japan, from 16 December 1944 to 20 June 1945.
That I have examined this photograph and I identify the Japanese pictured on the reverse side hereof to be a Japanese civilian guard known to me as "Big Stupe", and who was mentioned by me in my statement, taken by a representative of the Counter Intelligence Corps, U.S. Army, at 622 North Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, California, on or about 20 February 1947.
(signed)
Harry L. McCluskey
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4 day of March 1947, at Los Angeles, California.
(signed)
JOSEPH P. STAPOWICH
Captain, TC
Summary Court
December 13, 1945
Lt. Comdr. George E. Morris, Jr.
Formerly with the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and a prisoner of war of the Japanese from May 7, 1942, until Sept. 8, 1945, visited the office of Capt. Pence on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1945, and conferred with Capt. Pence and Mr. Francis James.
FUKUOKA Camp #1 (Jan., 1945 - April 26, 1945)
From Moji, Japan, the men were taken to Camp I at Fukuoka (about one third of the way from Moji to Nagasaki). There were about 500-600 men in this camp, including Americans, Dutch, Norwegians, British. About half of the civilian workers captured on Wake Island were also confined in this camp where they received the same treatment as the military prisoners of war. The loss of life among Comdr. Morris' group in this camp was 25%. This was due in part of their completely exhausted condition when they arrived. They were segregated from the other prisoners, but medical corpsmen from the other groups were allowed to come in and treat them at first. When the men had recovered, somewhat, their own medical men took care of them. Before the arrival of Comdr. Morris' group, Red Cross medical supplies had reached this camp, but by the time they got there, these were all gone and the prisoners were reduced to using bandages over and over as many as 20 or 30 times. A year before Comdr. Morris' arrival, some Red Cross clothing had reached this camp, including Army overcoats, heavy underwear, knitted caps, sweaters, etc., also some comfort articles. However, the quantities received had been only sufficient for the issue of one or two items per men. On their arrival the prisoners were issued either British or Australian overcoats. Some of the Dutch prisoners received Japanese overcoats which were very poor quality. All this clothing had to be turned in when the prisoners were moved from this camp.
The prisoners' food consisted of rice "milk" which gave them all diarrhea. Comdr. Morris stated that when he first arrived at this camp, he was in such a state of semi-starvation that even the meager rations were more than he could eat. In addition to the rice milk, the men got soup made of Japanese turnips and radishes with a little soybean paste or sometimes soy sauce added. They never at any time received any salt, but on four or five occasions they had some meat -- 3 to 5 kilos for the entire camp. The only issue of Red Cross food parcels during his stay in this camp was one parcel for three men. The Japanese had a number of packages in a warehouse in the nearby town which they did not distribute to the men. During Comdr. Morris' stay there were no visits from either the International Red Cross or the Swiss Protection Power.
There was beating of the prisoners. This took place mostly in work camps where conditions were so bad that men broke their own arms in order to be sent to the hospital.
PERPETUATION OF TESTIMONY OF EDWIN BOYD MOSS
(Formerly Pvt. ASN 18063209)
Greenville, Texas
My name is Edwin Boyd Moss. My permanent home address is 2614 Sayle Street, Greenville, Texas. I am now 23 years old. I was formerly a Private, ASN 18063209 in the Medical Corps of the United States Army. I entered the Army 15 September 1941 and was discharged 31 July 1946.
I left for overseas with the Casual Unit, 6 October 1941, arriving in Manila, Philippine Islands, 23 October 1941. I was assigned to a medical detachment at Sternberg General Hospital at Manila doing guard duty. On or about 29 December 1941 I was transferred to Bataan and was assigned to guard duty at General Hospital Number 1 near the town of Limay. About one month later I was transferred to "E" Battery, 60th Coast Artillery at Little Bagiuo located about the middle of the peninsula. I was assigned to do first aid duty at the dispensary. A short time later General Hospital Number One moved back and took over the place where we had our dispensary and I was then assigned back to guard duty.
On or about 1 April 1942 the Japanese bombed the hospital which was plainly marked and made several direct hits and killed about two truckloads of patients, medical corpsmen and Filipino laborers. On 7 April 1942 they bombed again making a direct hit on three wards and killing the majority of the patients. On the day we surrendered, 9 April 1942, the Japanese bombed the hospital again. After we surrendered they set up their field artillery outside of the hospital area and fired on Corregidor. We stayed here until 4 June 1942 at which time we went to Camp O'Donnell by truck. After we arrived there we had practically no food or medical supplies. After about a month the food and medical supplies were much better and 17 of us left for Davao Penal Colony located on Mindanao Island, arriving there by ship. We were placed in frame barracks and the food and treatment were fair until Captain Dies and about ten other Prisoners of War escaped about six months later. I was doing medical duty at this time and as a form of punishment for the Prisoners of War escaping the Japanese cut down all our food supplies, increased their guards and forced us to work harder.
Some time later (I do not recall the date), Sgt. McFee and a group of Prisoners of War were digging sweet potatoes outside of the compound when another Prisoner of War inside, (I do not recall his name), asked Sgt. McFee to give him his canteen. When he did the guard shot McFee with a rifle and killed him. I do not know the guard's name but he was a Taiwan guard and later I saw he had few stripes sewed on his left side of his chest. A civilian interpreter named Nishimura was stationed there at the time this happened. Nishimura beat me once when I told four officer Prisoners of War to lie down and rest. These officers had malaria and were not getting sufficient food doing hard labor. Nishimura came up and felt of the officers and then called me to attention and beat me with his fist and told me I was no doctor and to put them back to work.
About April 1944 Captain Wolfel and five Prisoners of War escaped. A Lt. Boone was killed in this escape and the remainder of the men who were quartered in the same bay as those who escaped were put in the guard house and forced to stand for one hour and rest for one hour. This punishment went on for two weeks and when the men were released they showed signs of severe beatings and lost considerable weight. The Japanese Commanding Officer was a Major, heavy set and about 60 years of age. He wore glasses and drank a lot and his last name began with an "O". The supervisor of details of the camp was a two-star enlisted man named Ota.
On 13 December 1944 about 1390 Prisoners of War were placed on the Orioko Maru [Oryoku-maru] at Pier Number 7 in Manila and left for Japan. A Lt. Tescheno [Toshino] was in charge of the Prisoners of War and a Mr. Wata was a civilian interpreter. The second in command was a Sergeant known as "Air Raid". We were all crowded in the hold of the ship and the first night out we were given no water at all. A few of the Prisoners of War died that night of suffocation and the next morning our Navy bombers attacked the ship in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. Our planes had bombed us the day before and the Japanese pulled into Subic Bay and left the ship with only the Prisoners of War and the guards aboard. Our planes sunk the ship and we swam ashore about 300 yards. Before we abandoned the ship some of the men raided the kitchen to get food and water, and Lt. Tescheno shot several of the Prisoners of War in the kitchen and the Sergeant known as "Air Raid" shot a Captain Parker who was in the 200th Coast Artillery. We were all placed in a tennis court and were given no food for two or three days. This was near Olongopoo. When we were fed it was four measured spoonsful of dry rice. The wounded were not given anything additional and dysentery soon broke out. We were moved to San Fernando Pampamga by truck. We had about ten wounded and the Japanese said they would take them to Bilibid Hospital in Manila. Later we learned that they were bayoneted. One of the victims was named Corporal Martin L. Johnson, 31st Infantry Regiment, and his home was in Bogota, Texas. Another victim was a Pfc. Steele.
Later we left for San Fernando La Union by train and we were crowded into the box cars until we were unable to sit down. After arriving at San Fernando La Union we boarded another ship (I do not recall the name) [Enoura-maru] and left for Japan. We arrived at Takao, Formosa in January 1945. We were all crowded in the hold of the ship and stayed there for one week. Our Navy bombers made a direct hit on the ship and killed about 400 American Prisoners of War. We were transferred by barge to another ship [Brazil-maru] and the treatment on this ship was much worse than the other two. It was getting very cold and we had practically no clothes at all.
About 400 of us arrived at Moji, Japan, in January 1945 and we were sent to Fukuoka Camp Number One and given some clothes and blankets made from wood but there was no heat in the barracks. We stayed here until April when about 170 of us were sent to Jinsen, Korea. There was a Japanese Lieutenant known as the "Mad Doctor" who beat Colonel Beecher, a Marine officer, and a Colonel Englehart, an Army officer. He beat them before all of the Prisoners of War with his fist and we never did learn the reason for this punishment. On another occasion I heard that the "Mad Doctor" beat another Colonel who was sick in bed. About two months before the war was over the "Mad Doctor" was transferred. I do not know the name of the Japanese Commanding Officer of this camp but a Japanese Captain known as Selby was the adjutant.
State of Texas
SS
County of Dallas
I, Edwin Boyd Moss, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing statement consisting of three pages and that it is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed)
EDWIN BOYD MOSS
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., this 20th day of August, 1946.
(signed)
CARL A. DIENST
Captain, CWS
Summary Court Officer
AFFIDAVIT OF WILLARD WILEY NEVILL, CM3c, U. S. NAVY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
County of Alameda
Willard Wiley NEVILL, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
My permanent home address is Winslow, Arkansas. I am 23 years of age. I enlisted in the Navy in September 1940 and was taken prisoner at Corregidor May 6, 1942. After being interned in the Philippines until August 1944, I was interned in Camp #10, Futase, Japan, until December 5, 1944, and in Camp #1, Fukuoka, Japan, until September 16, 1945.
While at the Fukuoka prison camp I saw a 3-star private, name unknown, whom we called "The Killer," commit a particularly brutal act against Corporal William IVERSON of the 4th Marines. The incident, which occurred in January 1945, was provoked by IVERSON smoking a few minutes after the time limit set for that. "The Killer" and a couple of others, who I can not identity, forced IVERSON to assume a hand-stand in the snow and beat him with poles and iron pipes across the legs and back and kicked him in the face and testicles until he was unconscious, after which they brought him to and repeated the process. IVERSON died four or five days later ("of pneumonia" -- according to the Japanese doctor). "The Killer" is a large Jap, about 5'8" tall and weighing about 175 pounds. He is attached to the 72nd Japanese Guard Battalion, but can not be further identified.
22 October 1945
(signed) Willard W. Nevill
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd day of October 1945 at Oakland, California, U.S.A.
(signed) Robert B. Curtiss
Lieutenant, U.S.N.R.
- - - - - - - - - -
For the WAR CRIMES OFFICE
Judge Advocate General's Department -- War Dept.
United States of America
In the matter of the beating of Corp. William Ivarson, about Christmas time, 1944 at Camp Number one, Fukuoka Area, Kyushu, Japan.
Perpetuation of Testimony of Willard W. Nevill, 372 20 86, CM2c, USN, Receiving Station, Naval Repair Base, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Taken at: Receiving Station, Naval Repair Base, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Date: 23 April 1946.
Reporter: Dee E. Thornton, 558 87 51, CY, USNR, Receiving Station, Naval
Repair Base, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Questions by: Harry J. Nickels, Jr., Special Agent, Counterintelligence Corps,
8th Service Command, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Q: State your full name, rank, and service number.
A: Willard Wiley Nevill, 372 20 86, CM2c, USN.
Q: State your permanent home address.
A: Route 1, Box 50, Winslow, Arkansas.
Q: State your age, civilian occupation, educational background, marital status.
A: Age 23, married, 8th grade, drove truck then worked with construction company about a year before entering the Navy. I entered the Navy 14 November 1940.
Q: What is your present position?
A: Awaiting transfer to Naval Ammunition Depot, Shoemaker, Arkansas. I plan to re-enlist in the Navy when my present hitch is up in November.
Q: Have you recently returned to the United States from overseas? If so, state the date.
A: Yes, the middle of October 1945.
Q: Were you a Prisoner of War?
A: Yes, of the Japanese.
Q: State the approximate dates and the places you were held.
A: I was captured 6 May 1942 at Corregidor and stayed there until August 1943. I then went to Clark Field where I stayed until November 1943 when I was taken to Bilibid and worked out of there until 4 July 1944. From there I went to Japan, landing at Camp Ten, Futasia City [Futase]. Three months later I was taken to Camp One. We got word of the liberation about 18 August 1945 and the camp was taken over on our own for about a month and then we reported at Nagasaki 15 September 1945.
Q: Do you know of any instances of mistreatment of American Prisoners of War? If so, identify the incident.
A: Just before Christmas, 1944 I witnessed the beating of Corporal William Ivarson by a Japanese civilian guard named Honda at Camp number one, Fukuoka Area, Kyushu, Japan.
Q: State what you know of your own knowledge concerning the incident.
A: Just before Christmas, 1944 we were in our barracks at Camp number one. The time was between 6:00 and 6:30 in the evening. I remember distinctly because it was that thirty-minute period that we were allowed to smoke in the barracks. Ivarson, several others and myself were sitted on our bunks smoking. Ivarson and another fellow named Roy Heath, an American soldier, were sitting nearest the door. A civilian Japanese guard named Honda, whom we had nicknamed "The Killer", came into the barracks. Due to the fact that Ivarson and Heath were sitting close to the door they did not see Honda until he was inside the barracks, therefore they were slow in giving Honda the saluting bow required by the Japanese. Honda flew into a fit of rage and called the entire barracks to attention. He then proceeded to "bawl out" the entire barracks for being, as he termed it, stupid and slow. He next turned to Heath and Ivarson who still held cigarettes in their hands. He proceeded to hit and slug Ivarson and then Heath, knocking them down across their beds. He then "jabbed" Ivarson across the small of his back with the butt of his rifle. Honda then told Ivarson and Heath to follow him outside. Ivarson had on only a shirt and a pair of pants which had been cut off above the knees. We were having a "cold spell" at that time and I would say the temperature was ranging between ten above and zero. Honda took the two men to a distance of about thirty (30) feet behind the barracks. He found a club which was of the type called a "yohoo" in Japan. This "yohoo" stick was about five feet long, in the center two and one-half inches thick, three inches wide and tapering to both ends to about a half-inch thick. It was the type used by the Japanese to balance a load on each side. I was standing in the back doorway of our barracks in a position where I could closely observe the actions of Honda. Honda had Ivarson and Heath get into a "handstand" position similar to the type of position that a person gets in to do push-ups. He made both men remain in that position until the weight of Ivarson's arms forced Ivarson to drop to the ground. Ivarson was a very frail boy who appeared to weigh only about 103 pounds and was in a very weakened condition. Due to this fact he could not stand the push-up position as long as Heath. When Ivarson fell, Honda told Ivarson to get back up and immediately started striking Ivarson across the back and legs with the "yohoo" stick. Each blow across the back would make Ivarson fall to the ground. Honda would order him to get back up and nearly every time struck Ivarson before he really had an opportunity to get back up. After about twenty-five minutes Heath was dismissed by Honda. For about the next thirty minutes Honda continued to beat and kick Ivarson. I would say that a period of about one hour elapsed between the time that Honda first came into the barracks and the time he quit beating Ivarson. Honda then left Ivarson laying in the snow which had turned red from Ivarson's blood. Two or three of us went out to Ivarson and carried him back into the barracks. We then put him to bed. He was unconscious when we put him to bed. His nose was bleeding, his skin was split in several places and you could see blood clots on the back of his legs. The next morning when I got up Ivarson was conscious but refused to eat anything. When I came in from work that night Ivarson was unconscious. If he ever regained consciousness I did not see him. He lived approximately sixty (60) hours and died without ever leaving his bed.
Q: Give a physical description of Honda and describe the position he held in this camp and for how long a period.
A: Honda was a civilian guard at Camp Number One, Fukuoka Area, Kyushu, Japan. He was about five feet, seven inches tall and he would weigh about one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He was rather large for a Japanese. He had a sort of "bulldog" face. It was round and fat with a protruding chin. He had large teeth. The front teeth were not gold but on each side of his front teeth were some gold ones. He seemed to have a desire for American-made products. He could not speak very fluent English. He was nicknamed "The Bulldog" because he looked so much like one. He was later nicknamed "The Killer" because of the bad treatment to the prisoners in general. At that time Honda was living with the camp commander and another guard whom we called "Wingey". They lived in a house across the river from Camp No. One. After you cross the car bridge you make a short turn to the right off the pavement and they lived in the second house on the right [Najima 4-chome]. It was a two-story house and all three families lived there together. He was the guard when I arrived there about October 1944 and was still there at the end of the war.
(signed) Willard W. Nevill, 372 20 86, CM2c, USN
STATE OF LOUISIANA
SS
ORLEANS PARISH
I, Willard W. Nevill, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing transcription of my interrogation, consisting of three pages, and all answers contained therein are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed) Willard W. Nevill, 372 20 86, CM2c, USN
Place: Receiving Station, Naval Repair Base, New Orleans 14, La.
Date: 23 April 1946
Sworn to before me on the 23rd day of April 1946.
(signed) R. W. DYE, Lieutenant, U.S.N.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I, Harry J. Nickels, Jr., Special Agent, Counterintelligence Corps, 8th Service Command, New Orleans, Louisiana, certify that on 23 April 1946 personally appeared before me Willard W. Nevill, CM2c, USN, and gave the foregoing answers to the questions set forth; that after his testimony, consisting of three pages, had been transcribed, the said Willard W. Nevill read the same and affixed his signature thereto in my presence.
(signed) Harry J. Nickels, Jr., Special Agent
Counterintelligence Corps
8th Service Command, New Orleans, La.
Place: Receiving Station, Naval Repair Base, New Orleans, La.
Date: 23 April 1946.
For the WAR CRIMES OFFICE
Judge Advocate General's Department -- War Department
United States of America
In the matter of atrocities committed against American military personnel, prisoners of war, FUKUOKA, Kyushu, Japan between January 30, 1945 and April 25, 1945.
Perpetuation of Testimony of William D. North, Colonel, 017345.
Taken at: 139 Greenville Street, Newnan, Georgia.
Date: 28 June 1946.
In the Presence of: Jacques M. P. Wilson, Special Agent, 111th Counter
Intelligence Corps Detachment, Hq. 7th Army, Atlanta, Ga.
Reporter: Allene J. Sanders, Stenographer, Area Intelligence Division, Hq.
7th Army.
Questioned by: Jacques M. P. Wilson.
Q: State your name, rank, serial number and permanent home address?
A: Colonel William D. North, 017345, 139 Greenville Street, Newnan, Georgia.
Q: Have you recently been returned to the United States from overseas?
A: Yes, I returned to the United States in October 1946.
Q: Were you a prisoner of war?
A: Yes, I was a prisoner of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Q: At what place were you held and state the approximate dates?
A: I was taken prisoner on 9 April 1942, while part of General Hospital #2, Bataan. We departed this area 26 May 1942, and left for Cabanatuan via Bilibid, arriving in Cabanatuan on 1 June 1942. We remained there until 21 October 1944, when we embarked for Japan. We left Cabanatuan Camp on 21 October 1944, for Manila and Japan, and were in Bilibid prison part of the time. Our group departed for Japan on 13 December 1944. We were interned at FUKUOKA, Kyushu, from 30 January 1945 to 25 April 1945. Part of our contingent was transferred to Jinsen, Korea. We were in Jinsen from 27 April 1945 until 7 September 1945.
Q: Did you witness or have you been told of any mistreatment of American citizens at any time while in FUKUOKA, Japan?
A: When we arrived at FUKUOKA we were placed in unheated barracks. Against the walls, to keep out the cold, dirt had been banked. The barracks were of weeds and mud plaster with a tar paper roof. No one was able to walk to the latrines in the freezing weather so buckets were placed in the aisles. Many caught pneumonia. The Japs released medicine inadequately so we lost 54 cases the first month. We were fed three times a day but the food was a very poor quality. My condition was so bad at the time that I had to remain in bed, and only moved around when absolutely necessary.
Q: Were your barracks ever heated during the bitter cold weather?
A: No, our barracks were not heated.
Q: Were medicines made available for the treatment of the sick cases other than pneumonia?
A: Practically no medicine was made available and never in sufficient amounts. When the Japanese medical officer would prescribe medicine, the Japanese medical orderly, HATA, would delay filling the prescription and issuing the medicine.
Q: Were any Red Cross medicines or supplies made available to the prisoners?
A: The Japanese doctor at the camp did have considerable stores of Red Cross medical supplies, clothing and food yet he refused to issue it in quantities which could do the men any good at all.
Q: Were the medicines issued fresh and usable?
A: The medicines and supplies issued at this camp as well as the other camps where I was interned were medicines which had been sent as relief supplies by the United States to Japan after an earthquake or typhoon I believe in 1923. I saw several crates of these supplies with their original packing and shipping instructions. Some of these supplies were crated in 1918 and had been given to the Japs after the First World War. For the most part the medicines were stale and unusable.
Q: Did you come in contact with a Japanese at this camp named HONDA?
A: I have had no contact with HONDA.
Q: Were any extreme disciplinary measures ever taken against any of your officers?
A: One of the Japanese at this camp KATSURA took exceptional pleasure in beating the men and then placing them in confinement in the "black box" without proper clothing and shoes. Lt. Col. Albert ROBY, Veterinary Corps was placed in the "black box" and left there until his feet froze.
Q: What is a "black box"?
A: A "black box" is a stall like an outdoor privy. It has no windows. The floors are made of rough planks. The rain seeps in from the top and the cold wind through the bottom in between the planks.
Q: Do you know the circumstances surrounding the death of Cpl. William IVARSON at your camp?
A: My memory is extremely hazy on this point. Not wishing to give you inaccurate information I suggest that you contact Captain Walter A. KOSTECKI, MC. He formerly resided in Boston, Mass. I believe that he can be contacted there now.
Q: Were you ever beaten by KATSURA or any of the guards and/or officers at this camp?
A: Yes, on two occasions, KATSURA slapped me without provocation, and quite severely. Captain KOSTECKI reported to me that Katsura beat an American to death in the camp. Captain Kostecki was the representative or liaison officer between the Americans and the Japanese medical officers. Captain Kostecki was in closer contact with Katsura than any other American at the camp.
Q: What do you know about Katsura's background?
A: Katsura lived in the United States for about 20 years in Galveston, Texas, I believe. He was well educated and spoke perfect English.
Q: Were you ever beaten by any other Japanese at this camp?
A: One morning at roll call, I do not recall the date, without provocation, I was selected out of about 800 men and called in front to a platform and given a good slapping by a Japanese medical orderly named HATA, on duty at Dispensary FUKUOKA.
Q: What are the names of the Japanese officers responsible for this condition at this camp which you have mentioned so far in this testimony?
A: The Commanding Officer was 1st Lt. SAKAMOTO. There were two medical officers whose names I do not recall and there was a medical soldier named HATA.
(signed) WILLIAM D. NORTH
State of Georgia
County of Coweta
I, William D. North, of lawful age, being duly sworn on oath, state that I have read the foregoing transcription of my interrogation and all answers contained therein are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(signed) WILLIAM D. NORTH
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 5th day of July 1946.
(signed) Louise T. Downs
N.P. Coweta Co., Ga.
Com. expires 12/15/46
C E R T I F I C A T E
I, Jacques M. P. Wilson, Special Agent, 111th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, Hq. Seventh Army, Atlanta, Ga., certify that William D. North, Newnan, Georgia, personally appeared before me on 28 June 1946, and testified concerning war crimes; and that the foregoing is an accurate transcription of the answers given by him to the several questions set forth.
(signed) JACQUES M. P. WILSON
Special Agent, 111th CIC.
Perpetuation of additional Testimony of EDWARD PITOCHELLI, 1109 Elm Avenue, Glendale, California
In the matter of atrocities committed at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp No. 1, Japan.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I, EDWARD PITOCHELLI, 1109 Elm Avenue, Glendale, California, being first duly sworn according to law, upon my oath depose and say that:
My full name is EDWARD PITOCHELLI. I am forty-nine years of age and I am a citizen of the United States of America. I am married and permanently reside at 1109 Elm Avenue, Glendale, California. I am presently employed as a barber by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. At the outbreak of the recent war between the United States and Japan, 7 December 1941, I was employed as a barber on Wake Island under a civilian status. I was captured by Japanese Army-Navy forces invading Wake Island, 23 December 194l, and I subsequently remained a prisoner of war until a few days after the cessation of hostilities. I have previously stated in a prior affidavit dated 29 October 1946, a record of the various Japanese prisoner of war camps, including approximate dates of confinement at each camp, to a representative of the Counter Intelligence Corps, U. S. Army. The following testimony by me regarding members of the Japanese camp staff of Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp #1 is additional to previous testimony regarding this same camp in my former affidavit dated 29 October 1946:
I was confined at the Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp #1, from approximately 18 April 1944 to 3 December 1944. The interpreter at this camp was a Japanese known to me as Katsura. Katsura was either a Corporal or Sergeant in the Japanese Army. I know, personally, that he claims to have lived for some time in the United States. Katsura was always showing off in front of other members of the Japanese staff, obviously trying to impress them that he was a "Big Shot." In my opinion, Katsura was nothing but a "four flusher." I, personally, knew that Katsura obtained Japanese cigarettes outside this prisoner of war camp and brought them into camp where he sold them to the prisoners at inflated prices. Although I was never beaten by Katsura there is no doubt in my mind but that he slapped and beat numerous American prisoners, however, I can not recall any specific incidents of this nature. I do remember that an American civilian named Marcel Martineau, who was captured on Wake Island, telling me that he had received a beating from Katsura. Mr. Martineau is presently residing at 8579 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, California. I did not see this beating and I am not familiar with the details of it. There was also talk at this prison camp that another American civilian named Benjamin Marsh had also received a beating by Katsura, but I did not actually see Katsura beat Marsh. Katsura alternated with other members of the Japanese camp staff as Nechoku, whose duties in the Japanese are similar to duties of the Officer of the Day in the American Army. It always seemed to me that when Katsura was on duty as Nechoku, that there were more prisoners beaten during his tour of duty than when other members of the Japanese camp staff were on duty as Nechoku. I cannot cite specific incidents of this nature but there is no doubt in my mind but that it is true. Katsura's description: Age, approximately forty-five years; height, about 5' 4"; weight, 155 to 160 pounds; build, stocky; complexion, lighter than average Japanese.
Another member of the Japanese camp staff, who treated the prisoners badly, was a man known to me as "Bucktooth." This Japanese seemed to have been a former combat soldier who, due to a combat head injury, had reverted to the status of a civilian guard. Bucktooth had been so nicknamed by the prisoners of this camp owing to his protruding teeth. There were times when Bucktooth did not seem to be himself and, during such times, he treated the prisoners very badly. It seemed to me that when Bucktooth was not feeling just right he would mistreat the prisoners by striking them with his hands, fists, a club, a rifle, or anything else that he happened to get his hands on. I am unable to recall specific incidents but there were many such occasions. There is no doubt in my mind but that Bucktooth slapped and beat numerous prisoners at this camp. I considered him to be mean and ornery rather than vicious or really brutal. Bucktooth's description is as follows: Age, twenty to twenty-five years; height, 5' 7"; weight, approximately 150 pounds; build, medium; complexion, average Japanese; had protruding teeth in front, and had been a former Japanese Army combat soldier. I was never beaten by Bucktooth.
I recall that there were two Japanese medical men at this prisoner of war camp; however, I am unable to distinguish between the two of them. It is possible that either or both of these two men mistreated prisoners at this camp, but I never had occasion to see them do it. I am not familiar with the names of either of these two men. I would suggest the name of Benjamin Marsh, American civilian, who worked in the camp hospital and no doubt was in much closer contact with the Japanese medical men than I was.
This is all the pertinent information that I am able to recall at this time regarding the mistreatment of prisoners at the Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp #1, by members of the Japanese camp staff.
(signed) EDWARD PITOCHELLI
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27 day of January, 1947, at Los Angeles, California.
(signed) JOSEPH P. STAPOWICH
Captain, TC
Summary Court
CERTIFICATE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I, Ralph W. Montgomery, Special Agent, CIC, certify that EDWARD PITOCHELLI appeared before me on the 23 day of January 1947, at Glendale, California, and made the foregoing statement concerning war crimes.
(signed)
RALPH W. MONTGOMERY, S/AGENT, CIC
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I, Edward Pitochelli, being first duly sworn depose and say that I was a prisoner of war at Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp #1, Japan, from about April, 1944, to December, 1944.
That I have examined this photograph and identify this picture to be the true likeness of the Japanese soldier interpreter, who is known to me as Katsura, and who was mentioned by me as Katsura in my statement, taken by a representative of the Counter Intelligence Corps, United States Army, at Glendale, California, on or about 23 January 1947.
(signed) Edward Pitochelli
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27 day of 1947.
(signed) Joseph P. Stapowich
