JAPANESE SURRENDER SIGNING CEREMONY AT CABATUAN AIRFIELD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945
Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines

by RONNIE MIRAVITE CASALMIR (California U.S.A.), cabatuan @ gmail.com

August 10, 2015 (later edited for additional details)

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Events like the signing of the instrument of surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 are being commemorated to remind us of the end of years of suffering and horror on all sides.

In Panay Island, the end of World War II came with the signing by Lt. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka of the instrument of surrender in Cabatuan Airfield, the same day as in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945.

Protocol dictates that the surrender of a Colonel be received by another Colonel, and so, Col. Raymund G. Stanton, the commanding officer of the 160th Infantry Regiment, was designated to receive, even though his superiors were also present.

In attendance to witness the ceremony were Brigadier General Donald J. Myers, commanding the 40th Infantry Division, and Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis, USN, commanding the 13th Amphibious Group.

T-Sgt. Terno Odow of the 180th Language Detachment served as translator.

Around noontime, all the Japanese officers were assembled by Lt. Col. Tozuka.

They marched to the "stage" at a corner of Cabatuan Airfield where Col. Stanton was.

The surrender instrument was read by the Japanese-American translator T-Sgt. Terno Odow.

Afterwards, Lt. Col. Tozuka signed the surrender instrument as Col. Stanton looked on.

Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka signs the surrender instrument
as Col. Raymund G. Stanton looks on
Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines, September 2, 1945






Photo by Frank Patrick, from his daughter Gail Rooks
See Barnesville's Frank Patrick photographed Panay Island surrender

Lt. Toshimi Kumai CABATUAN AIRFIELD Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines This World War II airfield was called the CABATUAN AIRFIELD by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) after the municipality where it was entirely located, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines. The Imperial Japanese Army operated Cabatuan Airfield throughout the war, from the time they arrived in Panay in 1942, until they retreated to the mountains of Iloilo in 1945. It was also referred to as Tiring Landing Field, Tiring Field, or Tiring Landing Strip by others but these were inaccurate names as the airfield had installations in adjacent Cabatuan barrios as well, not just in Barrio Tiring, Cabatuan. Another erroneous name was Santa Barbara Airfield, or Santa Barbara Aerdrome, erroneous because the airfield was not located in the neighboring town. It's important to note that there never was any airfield nor airport in Santa Barbara. All the barrios associated with Cabatuan Airfield were situated in Cabatuan, Iloilo, i.e. Barrio Tiring, Barrio Gaub, Barrio Tabucan. The current Iloilo Airport, or Cabatuan Airport, which sits on the site of the old Cabatuan Airfield, is also located entirely within Cabatuan, Iloilo. Upon their surrender, starting September 1, 1945, the Japanese were brought to Cabatuan Airfield and its POW Camp, and on September 2, 1945, the "formal surrender" or the "surrender signing ceremony" was held. In his memoir book, Lieut. Toshimi Kumai referred to the airfield several times as Cabatuan Airfield, in addition to describing its location accurately as being in Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines. Lieut. Kumai's book, "The Blood and Mud in the Philippines," was based on the original publication in Japanese, "Firipin no Chi to Doro: Taiheiyosen Saiaku no Gerirasen" (Tokyo: Jiji Press, 1977). It was translated by Yukako Ibuki, and edited by Ma. Luisa E. Mabunay and Ricardo T. Jose. Sections of Blood and Mud in the Philippines mentioning Cabatuan Airfield: Appendix A,   Section 7.3,   Section 7.3,   Section 7.3,   Section 7.4,   Section 7.4,   Section 8.1,   Section 8.3,   Section 11.2 Sections of Blood and Mud in the Philippines mentioning that Cabatuan Airfield was located in Cabatuan, Iloilo, Philippines: Section 1.2,   Section 6.2,   Section 8.3,   Section 10.2 Sections of Blood and Mud in the Philippines mentioning the Cabatuan POW Camp, or Cabatuan Camp: Appendix A   Section 10.3,

LIEUT. TOSHIMI KUMAI
Adjutant, Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in Panay Island
Participated in the Surrender Signing Ceremony
Author, The Blood and Mud in the Philippines, Anti-Guerrilla Warfare on Panay Island
Among the Japanese officers who attended the surrender signing ceremony that day at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945, one stood out from the rest. His name was Lt. Toshimi Kumai. After the war, and after his incarceration in Japan, he came back to Iloilo to atone for what had transpired during the war. He published his memoir, from which we can glean his accounts of that fateful day.

"The next day, a little after noon, all officers were assembled to attend the surrender ceremony. As we made our way to the setting of the ritual, we saw US soldiers feverishly checking out the belongings of Japanese soldiers who descended from trucks. Every one of them had gotten rid of weapons and they were running around in confusion amidst the shouting of US soldiers. The elite troops of Panay already looked quite like POWs."

"The venue for the surrender ceremony was a corner of the airfield beside the camp, where hundreds of military vehicles were parked. A battalion of US troops and a company of intrepid-looking Filipino Army personnel were standing in rows. I carefully observed the behavior of the Filipino soldiers against whom we had fought. In following orders, no movement of theirs looked inferior to that of the American soldiers, making me think of the hard training they must have received."

"At the center was a stage where Colonel Stanton stood. Representing the Japanese Army, the Tozuka unit commander loudly read out the statement of surrender of the Japanese Army to the US Forces. As expected from the look of the setting, the ceremony ended rather simply."

All Japanese Imperial Army officers (at least 16) were assembled to attend the surrender signing ceremony.


As they made their way to the surrender signing ceremony, they saw US soldiers feverishly checking out the belongings of Japanese soldiers who descended from trucks.


They saw that the Japanese soldiers, every one of them, had gotten rid of weapons and they were running around in confusion amidst the shouting of US soldiers. The elite troops of Panay already looked quite like POWs."


The venue for the surrender signing ceremony was a corner of the airfield beside the camp ... At the center was a stage where Colonel Stanton stood.








LIEUT. COL. RYOICHI TOZUKA
Commanding Officer, Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in Panay Island
Signed the Surrender Instrument

Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka (also spelled Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Totsuka) was the highest ranking Japanese officer in Panay Island when the Americans came in March 1945. He commanded the 170th Independent Infantry Battalion, formerly the 37th Independent Infantry Battalion (The 37th or Tozuka Unit was reorganized in December 1943 after the Japanese punitive drive in Panay and became the 170th.) He withdrew his forces to the mountains, and later came down to surrender in September 1945. He signed the surrender instrument at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945 as Col. Stanton looked on. Prior to the signing, he had marched all the Japanese officers to attend the ceremony. The other Japanese officers and men presumably present at Cabatuan Airfield during the surrender signing ceremony were the following: Japanese officers under the direct command of Lt. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka while they were in the mountains in Bocari: S-1 1st Lt. Toshimi Kumai S-2 1st Lt. Sadayoshi Ishikawa S-3 1st Lt. Sadayoshi Ishikawa S-4 1st Lt. Chozo Kyuke Medical       1st Lt. Masataka Egami 1st Co. 1st Lt. Gen Suzuki 2nd Co. 1st Lt. Hajime Fujii 3rd Co. 1st Lt. Masaya Mukohara 4th Co. 1st Lt. Makoto Yoshioka 5th Co. 1st Lt. Yonemoto Ishida 6th Co. 1st Lt. Kunisake Nakamura 7th Co. 1st Lt. Masayoshi Mizutani Japanese delegation to the surrender negotiations five days before: Capt. Kaneyuki Koike 1st. Lieut. Toshimi Kumai 1st. Lieut. Sadayoshi Ishikawa Sergeant Matsuzaki 1st. Lieut. Horimoto Private First Class Ueki Capt. Koike (commanding the Kempei Tai unit on Panay Island), Lt. Kumai and Lt. Ishikawa composed the "advance surrender party" that negotiated the manner of surrender a few days earlier, on August 28, 1945, with Sergeant Matsuzaki as interpreter. The NCO cadet platoon escorting them from Bocari to Daja Maasin was led by 1st Lieutenant Horimoto, with Private First Class Ueki as interpreter. The "advance surrender party" met with American representatives at Maasin plaza, and returned back to Bocari afterwards. As agreed upon, the Japanese forces then started to surrender on September 1, 1945, with the formal surrender signing ceremony by Lt. Col. Tozuka happening the following day on September 2, 1945 at Cabatuan Airfield. Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri Japanese unit in San Jose, Antique: 1Lt Makoto Yoshioka 2Lt Fukumori Okuda 2Lt Mikio Kai Sgt Maj Takeji Wada Sgt Shichiro Inoue Pfc Akiro Sato Pfc Heiji Watanabe Private Second Class Chikaichi Ota They were from the Japanese unit in San Jose, Antique, which joined up with Lt. Col. Tozuka in Bocari, Leon when the Japanese retreated to the mountains. They were later put on trial for the killing of American prisoners in March 1945 in San Jose. 2Lt Noriyuki Ôtsuka Master Sergeant Tadataka Kuwano Later tried for the killing of American civilians in December 1943 in Tapaz. Sergeant Tokizo Makita Corporal Hisaki Itai Also later accused of the murder of civilians during the period of their service at the garrison in Leon, Iloilo, according to Lieut. Kumai. Tsukasa Shimojo Michio Ikeda Yoriichi Natsu Fujinosuke Moriyama Sadao Ono Other Japanese soldiers of the 170th Independent Infantry Battalion who were known to survive the war in Panay. About 1,200 Japanese soldiers from Bocari, Leon surrendered on September 1-2, 1945. They were brought to Cabatuan Airfield where they were interned at its POW Camp. Another 500 Japanese soldiers from Mt. Singit, Lambunao surrendered on September 3-4, 1945, and were also brought to and interned at the Cabatuan Airfield POW Camp.

COL. RAYMUND G. STANTON Commanding Officer, 160th Infantry Regiment Received the Surrender Standing at the Middle of the Table Col. Raymund G. Stanton at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri Protocol dictates that the surrender of a Colonel be received by another Colonel, and so, Col. Raymund G. Stanton (Col. Raymund Gregory Stanton, sometimes spelled Col. Raymond G. Stanton or Col. Raymond Gregory Stanton) was designated to receive, even though his superiors were also present. Col. Stanton was the commanding officer of the 160th Infantry Regiment. He was the commander of the 160th Infantry Regiment from March 1945 to March 1946. He captured the serious tone of the surrender in his speech during the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony. . Standing on the runway of Cabatuan Airfield, he said in part: Today is V-J day ... the day we have been looking forward to for what has seemed an eternity. this day must be set aside to thank almighty God for sparing us the sorrow that lay ahead in the path of war, had hostilities continued. The officers and men of the 160th have fought through some of the worst fighting in the south pacific and know only too well what sorrows, hardship and even death itself mean to them. they have been exposed to a cruel and difficult type of warfare for months on end -- going from island to island with only one thought uppermost in mind -- that of crushing the japanese for all time. this goal has now been attained. The ruthless warlords of japan have been brought to an ignominious end by the will of an indomitable people ..... it is the hope and prayerful wish of every man in this command that the sacrifices, sickness and death of our comrades be remembered by our countrymen in the maintenance of peace to come ..... Col. Raymund G. Stanton's words "to thank almighty God for sparing us the sorrow that lay ahead in the path of war, had hostilities continued" were most significant to his unit, the 160th Infantry Regiment, for this regiment would spearhead the invasion of Japan under Operation Olympic had the war continued. They would be the first regiment to invade Japan, and would be transported direct from Iloilo. Col. Stanton writes his wife that he was selected to receive the surrender because of the excellent fighting record of his regiment Blitzkrieg to Cabatuan by the 2nd Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment on March 18 1945 When the 40th Infantry Division arrived in Iloilo on March 18, 1945, it was composed of 4 Infantry battalions. The 185th Infantry Regiment had all of its three battalions present while the 160th Infantry Regiment had only one battalion present, the "2nd Battalion." Its two other battalions would arrive a few days later. Col. Raymund G. Stanton writes to his wife about his receiving the Japanese surrender in Panay Island crediting the fighting record of his 160th infantry regiment While the three battalions of the 185th Infantry Regiment marched to Iloilo City, the 2nd Battalion of the 160th Infantry Regiment raced to Cabatuan Airfield and the town of Cabatuan in a mechanized blitzkrieg lightning swoop, by way of Cordova, Leon and San Miguel, to liberate Cabatuan Airfield and Cabatuan. They arrived at Cabatuan that very night, at midnight. Lieut. Kumai had mentioned this long column of vehicles going to Cabatuan while it was passing through Cordova: Around 200 vehicles such as tanks and military trucks were counted just along the road between Tigbauan and Cordova. Section 8.1 Lieut. Kumai added that this is the column that went to Cabatuan Airfield and Cabatuan: The US tank forces attacked the Cordova position and Cabatuan airfield. Section 8.1 Maximo G. Salvador had also observed this long column going to Cabatuan while it was passing through San Miguel: March 18, 1945. Desiring to see the Americans in flesh, we moved to San Miguel that same morning. Early in the afternoon, hundreds of jeeps and trucks, loaded with GI’s [military slang for American soldiers] passed through the town. The people of San Miguel were so happy that some naughty girls threw their flying kisses at the Americans. The same kisses were returned with boyish smiles.” The foreign presence was, to the townspeople, a glimmer of hope. The 160th Infantry Regiment had mentioned it themselves and provided details: While the 185th Infantry Regiment dashed madly into the city and were wildly received amidst flowing liquors and fresh eggs, Second Battalion boys (of the 160th Infantry Regiment) made a midnight, mechanized flanking movement into Cabatuan, a small village in the foothills. From there (Cabatuan) our patrols began chasing the Japs in all directions, whenever they were reported by overwrought Filipinos who claimed to be guerrillas. Cabatuan was a typical, out-of-the-way Filipino village with its nipa huts, city hall and market place all located within a stone's throw of the green-grassed plaza. Overlooking the Plaza was a very large, stone church with high bell tower and green vines crawling over the edifice. In the cold, musty interior hundreds of townspeople hovered in terror of the Japanese who had raided and killed enroute to their retreat. The air of jubilance in the streets gave way to thankfulness and prayer inside. The 160th Infantry Regiment added: The morning after our arrival (at Cabatuan), the Plaza, where some of the men had bunked down, was crammed with sight-seeing Filipinos as well as demonstrating guerrillas. The spontaneous parade by the guerrillas was perhaps the weirdest and most gruesome we witnessed. Carrying their long, razor-sharp bolos at their waists, Filipinos carried Japanese heads by the hair. Some had three or four tied to a bamboo pole. Others carried the whole headless, bloated and badly mangled body of a Jap they had killed after torturing. It was an eye-opening sight into the tremendous hatred of the Filipinos for the Japanese. Twice during the first morning the soldiers dived for cover and adjusted themselves for a fight, but both alarms were false. In one instance the hysterical cry passed in Visayen and English, "Japanese coming -- Japs coming." The doughboys seeking to get together had to fight their way through thundering crowds of Filipinos running for safety in the church. There was a Jap, but he was a beaten, bloody prisoner of some guerrillas who were bringing him to our headquarters. Kumai map showing the movement of the 2nd Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment from Tigbauan to Cabatuan Airfield and the town of Cabatuan, passing through Cordova, Leon and San Miguel. MacArthur map showing the same, the movement of the 2nd Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment from Tigbauan to Cabatuan Airfield and the town of Cabatuan, passing through Cordova, Leon and San Miguel. Lieut. Col. Lex M. Stout was the commander of the 2nd Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment. (He's a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Air Medal.) The 1st Battalion and the 3rd Battalion 160th Infantry Regiment arrived in Panay on March 26, 1945. Col. Stanton had written his wife that he was selected to receive the surrender because of the excellent fighting record of his regiment. Col. Raymund G. Stanton graduated in 1927 from the United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point. It appears from the signing photo that Col. Stanton was wearing his West Point class ring while accepting the surrender in Cabatuan. Another officer who was reportedly involved in accepting the surrender was Lt. Col. James K. Marr, a battalion commander of the 40th Division. (He's a recipient of the Silver Star.) More on Col. Raymund G. Stanton

TECH. SGT. TERNO ODOW Lead Nisei Translator, 180th Language Detachment Standing at the End of the Table T-Sgt Terno Odow at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri. The Japanese-American translator standing at the end of the table during the surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield was T-Sgt. Terno Odow, the lead Nisei translator of the 180th Language Detachment. He had previously drafted four leaflets, in English and Japanese, 40,000 of which were dropped on two Philippine islands (Panay Island and Negros Island). The leaflets were directly responsible for the surrender of 5,000 Japanese troops. He then drew the assignment of questioning a large portion of about 1,700 Japanese soldiers who surrendered in Panay Island. Sgt. Odow was an intelligence specialist, interpreter and interrogator. He speaks fluent Japanese, having spent two years at Keio University, Tokyo, before the outbreak of the war. He entered service Oct. 21, 1941, and went overseas in November 1942. He was a veteran of campaigns on Guadalcanal, New Britain, Luzon, Panay and Negros. He's a recipient of a Bronze Star. T-Sgt. Terno Odow, seated at the far side of the table, drew the assignment of questioning a large portion of about 1,700 Japanese soldiers who surrendered in Panay Island.

More on Tech. Sgt. Terno Odow

LIEUT. COL. BERNARD J. KITT Assistant Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division Seated at the Table Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt Oaklander at Surrender Table Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt of 1839 23rd Street, assistant chief of staff in charge of intelligence for the Army's 40th Infantry Division, was seated at the surrender table when the Jap forces on Panay Island in the Philippines formally capitulated. He watched as Lieut. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka signed the papers on Cabatuan Airfield. Colonel Kitt is a native of Oakland and the husband of Mrs. Kathryn Kitt of the 23rd Street address. He served as an enlisted man in the California National Guard from 1930 to 1935, then was commissioned a second lieutenant. He has been overseas since the late summer of 1942. They may have moved back to Sacramento in later life (Lieut. Col. Kitt was born in Sacramento) as they are currently buried in Sacramento.

Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt

Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt

Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt

Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt
More on Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt




LIEUT. HERMAN E. BULLING
His Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon provided the Honor Guard
The American honor guard standing behind Colonel Raymund G. Stanton came from the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon commanded by Lieutenant Herman E. Bulling.



In an interview on June 27, 2003, done by Shaun Illingworth and Jared Kosch, with Mrs. Helen Bulling attending, and published by the Rutgers Oral History Archives, Herman E. Bulling states that:

"my I&R Platoon (Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon) was the honor guard for the ceremony and, of course, the Colonel (Col. Raymund G. Stanton) was great on ceremony. I mean, he had long tables set up with the staff officers sitting there, and, in fact, I have, someplace, got pictures of that, too. That was one of the worst impositions I ever made on my father. [I] got those pictures, I sent them home and I said, "Dad, I need forty copies of these," and, at that point, my father, somehow or other, got forty copies made and sent them back to me and every member of my platoon had copies of the surrender ceremonies; Colonel Stanton, accepting the surrender."

Herman E. Bulling further adds about the Japanese forces:

"I don't know, he wasn't that much of a big shot, but he was in charge of whoever was up in the hills. They were in terrible shape. They were physically exhausted. They'd probably been in the hills for two or three years (actually 6 months) and they had come down out of the hills only to be put into a stockade, but they were better off there than they had been up in the hills, because the farmers had said that there were raids on their fields, but they couldn't have been getting enough food."

THE HONOR GUARD
The Honor Guard was said to be 18 in number. This can also be seen on the photo.

They averaged better than six feet two inches in height and tower over the Japanese. The height was intentional. This was intended to intimidate the Japanese from changing their minds, and was consistent with the Honor Guard in the surrender signing ceremony on U.S.S. Missouri which happened the same day.




The Filipino Honor Company during the surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945 was composed of tall men as well. Tall men were selected from among the ranks of the 1st Battalion 52nd Infantry Regiment and were given new uniforms and equipment in time for the ceremony.

"For the ceremonial company, I picked out the tallest men of the battalion, who were each issued a brand new set of combat uniforms and arms - olive drab combat shirt and pants, canvas combat boots, steel helmet, cartridge belt, bayonet, and m1 rifle. The company officers were similarly dressed but armed instead with .45 caliber pistols."
- Capt. Eliseo D. Rio

The group of American soldiers that met the Japanese emissaries (that came down for surrender negotiations) at the foot of the mountain trail at the river in Tinaan on August 28, 1945 was composed of tall men too: As we advanced, we were expecting some contact from the US forces. Suddenly, seven or eight gigantic American soldiers came out of the jungle and surrounded us. - Lt. Toshimi Kumai Section 10.1 See Sgt. Hubbard spots the Japanese emissaries as they come down the mountain at Tinaan

The Honor Company at the surrender negotiations meeting in Maasin on August 28, 1945 was composed of tall men too: Behind them stood the bearers of the US and the regimental flags while around 20 colossal soldiers surrounded them in a half circle. - Lt. Toshimi Kumai Section 10.1 See Honor Company at the Surrender Negotiations Meeting

THE REGIMENTAL FLAG OF THE 160TH INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Honor Guard was said to carry the U.S. Flag and the Regimental Flag of the 160th U.S. Infantry Regiment. (The source on the right must have meant "eighteen enlisted men" not "eight enlisted men")

Regimental Flag of the 160th U.S. Infantry Regiment




SGT. KENNETH LYKINS
Member of the Honor Guard

WITH HONOR GUARD FOR JAP SURRENDER To eight (must have meant eighteen) enlisted men of the 160th Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, fell the responsibility of carrying the colors and serving as honor guard for formal Japanese surrender ceremonies on Panay Island in the Philippines. One of the eight (must have meant eighteen) carrying the U.S. flag and the 160th colors was: Sgt. Kenneth Lykins, 1027 12th Street, Boone. Located directly behind the surrender table, the color and honor guards, stood at attention while the Japanese commander signed for his force of approximately 1,700 men. Final capitulation came on September 2nd as Lt. Col. Tozuka and 17 Japanese officers marched between ranks of 40th division veterans to surrender themselves, their arms, equipment and men. Just as the defeated officers saluted and turned stiffly to leave, the guards cased their colors. Almost immediately rain poured down to add to the humility of the surrender party. Only drenched and bedraggled remnants remained of the once proud force which dominated Panay. The regiment, which Lykins represented, participated in liberation campaigns on Luzon, Panay and Negros. They were in action for nearly two months on Luzon and for 64 consecutive days on Negros.

CURT ITTNER
Member of the Honor Guard
Another member of the honor guard was Curt Ittner.

He said: "I was a member of the honor guard which stood where the Japanese signed the surrender on Panay Island; 1900 Japs in all. It was the first time I have ever seen a Jap on level ground."





KENNETH GOODWIN
Member of the Honor Guard

Kenneth Goodwin

HIS OUTFIT HAD SELECTED HIM TO STAND WITH THE HONOR GUARD

Goodwin was a member of the I&R Platoon, Headquarters Company, 185th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.

He and others from the 185th, including their Colonel, went into the area by the mountains where the 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division was stationed.

He was told that his outfit had selected him to stand with the Honor Guard when the Japanese commander officially surrendered on Cabatuan Airfield on 2 September 1945.

That was the end of the war for them, even though it was after the official end of the war on 16 August 1945.

He often spoke of his experience with the wounded Japanese soldiers.

His compassion shone through when he offered a drink of water to a wounded Japanese soldier who gifted him a Japanese flag as a token of appreciation for the act of kindness.

He also often spoke of the weeks that followed the surrender.

Kenneth Goodwin's flag given by a wounded surrendering Japanese soldier in Panay with the names/signatures of Goodwin's squad Kenneth Goodwin telling his story about the Japanese surrender in Panay Click on the arrow to start the video

Panay Island and Japanese Surrender Japanese Troops on Panay Island

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PFC. CECIL RUGGLES
Member of the Honor Guard

Image courtesy of Margie Derby Pfc. Cecil Ruggles has written to his mother that he was chosen to be an honor guard when the Japs signed the surrender terms on Panay Island. He is a runner on a weapon platoon. He has seen action on four islands. Panay, Leyte, Luzon, and Mindanao. In a battle on the Mindanao island he was wounded in the arm by shrapnel. He holds two bronze stars and five campaign ribbons.

CPL. HARVEY H. MILLER
Member of the Honor Guard

Cpl. Harvey H. Miller, Hagerstown, was a member of an honor guard of the 160th Infantry regiment through which Lt. Col. Ryoichi Tozuka, commander of 1700 Japs on Panay Island, passed after his surrender in the Philippines. He said he was impressed by the excellent appearance and discipline of American soldiers. The 18 Americans averaged better than 6 feet 2 inches. The Jap barely came up to their shoulders.

T/5 JOHN R. HANSEN
Member of the Honor Guard
CPL. H. M. JOHNSON
Member of the Honor Guard

Two other Oakland men (in addition to Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt who's seated at the table) were in the honor guard from the 160th Infantry, through which the Japanese officers passed. They were T/5 John R. Hansen of 1056 83rd Avenue and Cpl. H. M. Johnson of 2406 35th Avenue. The 18 men of the guard, averaging more than six feet two inches in height, towered above the beaten Nips, who were the vanguard of 1700 troops and civilians who gave themselves up. The surrender took place September 2.

BRIG. GEN. DONALD J. MYERS Commanding General of the 40th Infantry Division Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri. Present at the Japanese surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on Sept. 2, 1945 to witness the event was Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers (Brig. Gen. Donald Johnson Myers, sometimes misspelled as Brig. Gen. Donald J. Meyers or Brig. Gen. Donald Johnson Meyers) Brig. Gen. Myers was the commanding general of the 40th Infantry Division. Brig. Gen. Myers was the commander of the 40th Infantry Division from July 1945 to April 1946. The 160th Infantry Regiment of Col. Raymund G. Stanton was a component of this division. The Assistant Commander of the 40th Division was Brig. Gen. Robert O. Shoe. Brig. Gen. Myers assumed command of the 40th Infantry Division in July 1945. He replaced Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush who commanded the 40th Infantry Division when it landed on Panay in March 1945. Brig. Gen. Myers remained the commander of the 40th Infantry Division until it was inactivated on April 7, 1946 at Camp Stoneman, California. (It was later reorganized and federal­ly recognized on Oct. 14, 1946 at Los Angeles, California) Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers later writes: To the veterans of the 40th Infantry Division - living and dead - whose courage, leadership, and sacrifices attained the unexcelled combat achievements and established the enviable record of the "Sunburst Division" in the Pacific Theater. Beginning at Guadalcanal and New Britain, this record was continued through the landing at Lingayen Gulf; seizure of the central Luzon plains; participation in the Leyte, Masbate, and Mindanao operations; the lightning liberation of the Islands of Panay and Negros against an enemy superior in numbers; culminated in the occupation of Southern Korea and the liberation of the Koreans from years of Japanese domination. It was a privilege and a great honor to have been associated with the 40th Infantry Division as one of its leaders.

REAR ADMIRAL RALPH O. DAVIS Commanding Admiral of the U.S. Navy's 13th Amphibious Group Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri Also present at the Japanese surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on Sept. 2, 1945 to witness the event was Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis (Rear Admiral Ralph Otis Davis), commanding the U.S. Navy's 13th Amphibious Group. The 13th Amphibious Group was tasked to transport the 40th Division from Iloilo to Korea for occupation. Rear Admiral Davis and his staff came to Iloilo to supervise this transport operation. The flagship of the 13th Amphibious Group was the U.S.S. Estes. The USS Estes arrived in Iloilo on September 1, 1945, from Leyte, with Rear Admiral Davis and his staff on board. The following day, September 2, 1945, The ship sent a detail ashore to take part in the Japanese surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield. Norman Lindenberg was a member of that detail and had some documents and pictures taken that day. "Immediately after the war ended, we were sent to the Philippine island of Panay where among other things the ship sent a detail to take part in a Japanese surrender ceremony. The Japanese squads marched in out of the woods. They were a pretty sorry looking lot but somehow, despite their condition, those that could walk carried themselves with dignity . They turned in their weapons and were put on trucks (and in some cases ambulances) to be taken to repatriation camps. I was a member of that detail and have some documents and pictures taken that day." -Norman Lindenberg ETC Communications & Electronics 1944-1946 http://www.ussestes.org/ShipInfo/History_in_Photos_1946.htm Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis at the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines on September 2, 1945, the same day as the signing on U.S.S. Missouri John J. DeBenedetto, also on USS Estes, had a similar photo collection. http://ussestes.org/Association/Contributions/DeBenedetto_John_J.htm Departure of the 40th Infantry Division from Panay Island Five days later, on September 7, 1945, LSD Carter Hall (Landing Ship Dock Carter Hall) left Panay for Korea, the first ship to do so with the advance party of the 40th Infantry Division and elements of the 532nd EB&SR (532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment). On the same day, September 7, 1945, the 658th Tractor Battalion assumed control of the Cabatuan Airfield POW Camp. According to Lieut. Kumai: In the camp, we were surprised at the delicious food prepared for us but four or five days later, its quality suddenly deteriorated. This was because the 40th Division of the US Army that was in charge of the camp was reassigned for posting in Korea. The night before their departure, 2nd Lieutenant Jones and other officers in charge of the camp came to visit us. It seemed as though they would miss us who had joined in the fighting in Bocari. Below photo: U.S.S. ESTES around this time, in October 1945, after its first year of service The U.S.S. Estes, coming from Leyte, anchored in Iloilo at noon of September 1 1945. Brig. Gen. D. J. Myers (Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers, not Meyers) made an official call on Rear Admiral (Ralph O.) Davis. A large number of officers and men were permitted to watch the surrender of Japanese troops. The U.S.S. Estes remained in Iloilo for three weeks, with Rear Admiral Davis directing the lifting of the 40th Infantry Division from Iloilo to Korea for occupation. More on Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis

CAPT. BOB O. MATHEWS, USN
Skipper of U.S.S. Estes, the flagship of the 13th Amphibious Group
Capt. Bob O. Mathews (Capt. Bob Orr Mathews), the skipper of USS Estes, which was the flagship of the13th Amphibious Group, was in attendance as well.


Above Left: Capt. Bob O. Mathews at the Japanese surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945.

Above right: photo of Capt. Bob O. Mathews at the U.S.S. Estes Association.

Below: Capt. Bob O. Mathews at the Japanese surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945.





CAPT. RUTH LEE (VEUM)
Represented the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in the Surrender Signing Ceremony

Click here for the full article

World War II Nurse Witnessed Surrender Ceremony

Capt. Ruth Lee joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II, deploying to the front lines in the Pacific Theater. Her bravery earned her a bronze star, and she rose to the rank of Captain, a testament to her dedication and valor.

On Sept. 2, 1945, a formal surrender ceremony was held at Cabatuan Airfield in Panay, Philippines. Ruth Lee was asked to be there to represent the U.S. Army Corps of Nurses and to witness the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army.

She can be seen in the surrender photos.

In the Spring of 1947, Ruth Lee was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army because of an ear condition which may have been caused by the impact of the mortar blast she endured.

She later married Peter Veum.

See her full story at Hope For The Wounded: WWII Nurse Received Bronze Star, Witnessed Surrender Ceremony
by Faith Anderson. A photo of the Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945 is on page 14, identifying Capt. Ruth Lee in the photo. This was published in May 2026 by Senior Perspective, a Minnesota and North Dakota monthly newspaper, as part of its "Heroes Remembered" articles.

I would like to thank Faith Anderson, and Senior Perspective, for the great article.
- Ronnie Miravite Casalmir

Photo by Frank Patrick, from his daughter Gail Rooks See Barnesville's Frank Patrick photographed Panay Island surrender

Senior Perspective - Heroes Remembered, May 2026
-Special insert in every Senior Perspective paper in the month of May 2026.
Includes a photo of the Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on September 2, 1945
identifying Capt. Ruth Lee in the photo.

The "Heroes Remembered" section is appended at the end of all area publications of Senior Perspective in the month of May 2026. You can view each one online by clicking the following links:

Senior Perspective - Valley Edition, May 2026
-Covers Fargo/Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids, and the good small towns in-between.

Senior Perspective - Runestone Edition, May 2026
-Our first edition, started in 1993, ranges around Fergus Falls, Alexandria, Wadena, and Morris.

Senior Perspective - River Edition, May 2026
Stories from Hutchinson to Mankato, even over to Waconia and Shakopee near the Twin Cities area.

Senior Perspective - Prairie Edition, May 2026
Focusing on Willmar, Marshall, Appleton, and nearby towns.

Senior Perspective - Lindbergh Edition, May 2026
-From Brainerd to St. Cloud, including Little Falls, Princeton, and around Mille Lacs Lake.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1279684/ruth-mariam-veum




CAPT. ELISEO D. RIO
Commanding Officer of the Filipino Honor Company
The Filipino infantry company present during the surrender signing ceremony was organized and commanded by Capt. Eliseo D. Rio. Tall men were selected from among the ranks of the 1st Battalion 52nd Infantry Regiment and were given new uniforms and equipment in time for the ceremony.

Capt. Rio describes the event in his book "Rays of the Setting Sun":

Having been called away on official business, the commander of the 52nd Infantry Regiment designated Major Gelveson, 1st Battalion Commander, as his representative in the surrender ceremony and asked him to take charge of all arrangements attendant to it.

In turn, Major Gelveson requested me to organize and command a rifle company, using men from his battalion, which was to act as the honor guard during the ceremony. For the ceremonial company, I picked out the tallest men of the battalion, who were each issued a brand new set of combat uniforms and arms - olive drab combat shirt and pants, canvas combat boots, steel helmet, cartridge belt, bayonet, and m1 rifle. The company officers were similarly dressed but armed instead with .45 caliber pistols.

The venue selected for the surrender ceremony was the grandstand of a sports playground near the runway of Cabatuan Airfield, which was kept operational by the Japanese Air Force during the war.

As early as 0900 Hours of the appointed day, people started to gather in the grandstand as well as around the area in front ringed by a platoon of my special company. The rest of the company was formed with the two platoons in line immediately in the front and center of the stand, facing forward. I and my staff, composed of the Company Executive Officer and the guidon-bearer, took the standard position in front of the formation. A few yards before me was set a rectangular table with two chairs at the side close to me and a lone chair at the other.

By 1030 Hours, the grandstand was filled to overflowing and the people forming a semi-circle on the ground were at least five deep. There was a fairly large group of American servicemen among the crowds at the grandstand, but the majority of the people who came to witness the surrender ceremony consisted of Filipino civilians, a big number of whom were recently demobilized guerrilla.

At about 1100 Hours, the trucks bearing the Japanese arrived. Upon getting down the trucks, the soldiers were formed facing the grandstand about twenty yards in front of the table in a platoon-in-line formation with four squads. The officers formed a single line in front of the platoon, while the commander, alone, positioned himself at the head of his men.

Lieut. Kumai had this to say about the Filipino company:

a company of intrepid-looking Filipino Army personnel were standing in rows. I carefully observed the behavior of the Filipino soldiers against whom we had fought. In following orders, no movement of theirs looked inferior to that of the American soldiers, making me think of the hard training they must have received.

Capt. Rio adds:

I was struck by the sight of the enemy remnants. They were all pale and emaciated; literally scarecrows in their dungy and loose-fitting uniform. I was told that when they were served breakfast earlier that morning, they gobbled up their food like a bunch of hungry animals. Undoubtedly, their six months' stay within those severe rain forests of central Panay had wrought alarming deleterious consequences on those Japanese hold-outs. Although in a much lesser scale, the scene was quite reminiscent of what befell the Filipino-American troops in the jungles of Bataan some three and a half years earlier.

Lieut. Kumai appears to corroborate:

In the camp, we were surprised at the delicious food prepared for us.

FRANK PATRICK
Photographed the Surrender Signing Ceremony

Frank Patrick Added by Sharon Holliday at FindAGrave.com

Barnesville's Frank Patrick photographed Panay Island surrender
Posted by Walter Geiger in Features
Barnesville The Herald-Gazette, Wednesday, December 7, 2016

On this, the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Gail Rooks is sharing these photos she found in a medal box belonging to her late father, Frank Patrick. Patrick took the photos during the surrender ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield on Panay Island in the Pacific.

The ceremony took place on Sept. 2, 1945, the same day Japan formally surrendered with Gen. Yoshijiro Shigemitsu signing for Japan and Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepting for the Allied Forces on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Patrick had been a projectionist at three local theaters prior to World War II and became a projectionist in the Army along with his duties as a radio operator.

Rooks found the photos and thought it would be appropriate they be shared on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor atrocity.

Research revealed the story behind the photos which show Col. Ryoichi Tozuka signing the surrender document while Col. Raymond G. Stanton accepts for the U.S. Army. All indications are Frank Patrick, who returned home to run the Barnesville water works for generations, was on the front row. Patrick also become an accomplished framer and wood turner.


https://barnesville.com/barnesvilles-frank-patrick-photographed-panay-island-surrender/
http://www.barnesville.com/archives/9759-Barnesvilles-Frank-Patrick-photographed-Panay-Island-surrender.html

More on Frank Patrick




LT. KENNETH RODRIGUEZ
Photographed the Surrender Signing Ceremony


OVERHEARD FROM OVERSEAS
JAP SURRENDER on Panay Island in the Philippines is snapped by Lt. Ken Rodriguez, husband of Mrs. Margaret Rodriguez, Ft. Scott librarian.

Lt. Kenneth Rodriguez with an Infantry Outfit on Panay encloses some photographs along with his news: “I am enclosing some pics of the Japanese surrender here in Panay. Also one of the capitol building at Lingayen, a town on Luzon. I landed right in front of this building on 9 January about 10 minutes after the first wave hit. The Navy punched a few holes in it here and there shortly beforehand. I will never forget that moment or this building.”

TECH. SGT. MOFFET M. ISHIKAWA Nisei Translator, 180th Language Detachment Sgt. Moffet Ishikawa during his interview The 180th Language Detachment, which was the language team of the 40th Division, was headed by Richard Child, with Terno Odow as its leader, and the Nisei translators were Kay Futamase, Mike Hori, Moffet Ishikawa, Hisashi Komori, Kay Tamada, Shizuo Tanaka and Shogo Yamaguchi. Moffet Ishikawa was at Negros Island when he heard that Japan surrendered. As he mentioned in part 3 of his 2010 interview, he returned back to Panay Island to take part in receiving the Japanese surrender in Panay Island. He also mentioned in that interview that he has a photo of himself writing as he was interviewing the surrendering Japanese troops. Moffet Ishikawa oral history interview, March 18, 2010 Moffet Ishikawa oral history interview, part 1 of 3, March 18, 2010 Moffet Ishikawa oral history interview, part 2 of 3, March 18, 2010 Moffet Ishikawa oral history interview, part 3 of 3, March 18, 2010 INTERVIEWER: So I want to ask---first question is, where were you and how did you hear that Japan had surrendered? ISHIKAWA: I was on Negros island. That’s the central Philippines. And we had been on the island about five months, and---you know, I remember I slept in a foxhole on that island every night for five months---every night for five months. And we heard over the radio---there was a Signal Corps nearby, a radio that the U.S. had dropped a bomb, some kind of a bomb. You know, we didn’t know what atomic bomb was. Never heard of it. So we were just saying, “Gee, somebody dropped a atomic bomb or something in Tokyo”---or was it Hiroshima, was it? And we---the next bombing was what---Hirosh[ima]--- Nagasaki, right? We heard that. And then later, we heard that Japan had surrendered. I said, “Oh, great.” Because we were just getting ready to land in Japan next. We were preparing to leave the Philippines to land in the southern island of Kyushu. And, you know, I was---never was so relieved in my life. INTERVIEWER: Why so relieved? Sgt. Moffet Ishikawa interrogating a Japanese prisoner in Panay Island - "they sent us back to Panay Island, next island, to receive the surrender of the troops on Panay Island. And that’s where I have a picture of- --a photograph of me at---talking to one of the Japanese prisoners. I was trying to get his name, and rank, and serial number. That’s all I could talk anyway [laughs]." -Sgt. Moffet Ishikawa ISHIKAWA: It would have been a suicide to land in Japan, I was thinking. You know, and they're gonna fight [02:00] till the end. But---so I said, “Gee-manee, Japan surrendered.” So the next thing we knew, from Negros, they sent us back to Panay Island, next island, to receive the surrender of the troops on Panay Island. And that’s where I have a picture of- --a photograph of me at---talking to one of the Japanese prisoners. I was trying to get his name, and rank, and serial number. That’s all I could talk anyway [laughs]. Anyway, so we dropped leaflets by airplane, and told the Japanese troops, the remaining Japanese Page 76 of 102 troops, to go to a certain place at a certain time---a certain day, a certain time, and we’ll-- -and meet the Americans there. So I went to this area, and I could see---I was up on a hill, and I could see these Japanese soldiers coming up the hill, you know? Oh, some were on stretchers; some were on crutches, barely able to move. And I remember when I was going to this area to receive the prisoners, I found a Japanese flag by the side of this trail. So I picked it up. It was a large flag. It was a---it was a battle flag. It’s a---you know, the hinomaru is the red ball in the---with the white background, right? But this one has red rays. You’ve seen the pictures of red rays going to the edges of the flag? I found that, [04:00] and I was looking at it and it had a lot of names on it. It was autographed by the hometown families and friends, and even strangers, all the names all around. And I brought it home. But you know what? I gave it away. I---after I got home, I saw a American soldier that I knew from overseas. He went to San Jose High School with me. And I said, “Hey, come over to my place, my home here, then I'll show you some of the things I brought back home.” And I showed him the big flag with the names on it. I gave it to him. I never saw it again. I kind of regret it now, because I heard that some people were sending the flags back to Japan to return to their family, you know, after the war. I still think about it and, gee, I regret giving that flag away. INTERVIEWER: But there you are on top of this hill . . . ISHIKAWA: Yeah. INTERVIEWER: . . . and you see Japanese . . . ISHIKAWA: They're . . . INTERVIEWER: . . . sol[diers]. ISHIKAWA: . . . coming up, yeah. INTERVIEWER: And you see this flag. ISHIKAWA: Flag. INTERVIEWER: And then what happens? Page 77 of 102 The---what? You mean the Japanese troops? Well, we put them in a sort of a compound. It was just a fence, you know, and they were there. And then after a few days after that, we left them, because our division was going to Korea for occupation. So we boarded a ship and went to Inchon More on Moffet M. Ishikawa

COL. LEONARD E. ECHOLS
Commanding Officer, 185th Infantry Regiment

Kenneth Goodwin said that their Colonel, the commander of the 185th Infantry Regiment, was with them, the group from the 185th that went into the area by the mountains where the 160th Infantry Regiment was stationed, and attended the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield. The commander of the 185th Infantry Regiment at that time happened to be Col. Leonard E. Echols. Echols was the commander of the 185th Infantry Regiment from August 1945 to April 1946. https://www.ww2online.org/view/kenneth-goodwin#japanese-troops-on-panay-island

BRIG. GEN. ROBERT O. SHOE
Assistant Division Commander, 40th Infantry Division

Brig. Gen. Robert Oliver Shoe was the Assistant Division Commander of the 40th Infantry Division at the time of the Japanese surrender in Panay Island. He was the Assistant Division Commander of the 40th Infantry Division from July 1944 to January 1946. He later donated a set of photos of the Japanese surrender in Panay Island to the California Military Museum, including the surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield. His letter accompanying the photos however became the source of the photos being erroneously mislabeled to be those in Negros Island. When the California Military Museum initially posted the surrender photos on Facebook, the photos were mislabeled to be in Negros Island. This happened to be also the first time that I came across such photos. Fortunately at that time, I was already familiar with the memoir book of Lieut. Kumai, and two items jumped out on me: a flat open space indicating an airfield (Cabatuan Airfield), and a concrete structure indicating a dam (Maasin Dam Site). So I emailed the Museum Curator, told him your photos appear to be mislabeled, and that they are instead the Japanese surrender in Panay Island. I laid out my evidence and there were several, but foremost of which were: First, the 40th Infantry Division cannot be receiving the surrender in Negros because the Division wasn't in Negros anymore in September 1945, it had already returned to Panay. Second, if we compare with file photos, the American officer receiving the surrender was Col. Stanton, and Stanton was designated to receive the surrender in Panay, not somewhere else. Third, I can actually match Lt. Kumai's narratives with what's appearing on your photos. Fourth, there are photos of the surrender in Negros circulating and they are not the same as your photos. And so forth. The museum curator replied that the only reason they labeled them to be in Negros Island was because of the accompanying letter of Gen. Shoe when he donated the photos to the museum. So I said, show me the letter and I'll point to you the mistake. He replied that the letter says that the photo set was the surrender in Iloilo in the Island of Negros. So I said, there you go, Iloilo is located in the Island of Panay, not in Negros Island. The curator replied that they'll change the caption. - Ronnie Miravite Casalmir Later sources confirmed that the surrender photos were indeed in Panay Island. - Ronnie Miravite Casalmir There were materials however that had already been published or created prior to the correction. These materials still show the erroneous Negros Island caption. - Ronnie Miravite Casalmir

Reenactments

https://x.com/melchieser/status/1830407378941919526



The Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield
happened on the same day as the surrender signing on board the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay
As Col. Raymund G. Stanton mentioned in his speech during the surrender signing ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield, today is V-J Day. It's September 2, 1945. The same day as the Japanese surrender signing ceremony aboard U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay.







The Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony at Cabatuan Airfield
happened the day before Gen. Yamashita signed his surrender instrument at Baguio on September 3, 1945

Lieut. Col. Tozuka had already signed his surrender instrument at Cabatuan Airfield
the day before Gen. Yamashita also signed (above photo) his surrender instrument on September 3, 1945




Take note that this marker is in English, which Americans, Filipinos and some Japanese can understand, not in Tagalog.
Take note also that this marker is specific to the event and does not touch on other stuff like the history of the place.



Col. Raymund G. Stanton

Col. Raymund G. Stanton (Col. Raymund Gregory Stanton) was born in Fort Hancock, New Jersey.

He's the son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Stanton of 24 William Street, Fords, New Jersey.

Col. Raymund G. Stanton graduated in 1927 from the United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point. It appears from the signing photo that Col. Stanton was wearing his West Point class ring while accepting the surrender in Cabatuan.

His brother, Col. Walter C. Stanton, belonged to West Point Class 1926. His uncle, Col. Hubert G. Stanton, to West Point Class 1911. A fourth member of the family, his nephew Walter C. Stanton Jr., graduated from West Point in 1950.

He was a veteran of the Pacific Theater from New Guinea to the Philippines.

He's a recipient of the Legion of Merit (G.O. 22, AFPAC 6/29/1945).

---

Raymund G. Stanton

USMA Class 1927 • Cullum No. 8218 • Jul 01, 1977 • Died in Columbia, SC
Interred in West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY
Colonel Raymund G. Stanton, (United States Army-Retired), died at his home after a long illness.

Colonel Stanton was born in Fort Hancock, New Jersey, and was graduated in 1927 from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During his Army career he also graduated from the following schools: Regular Infantry School, 1936; Infantry Tank School, 1937; Command and General Staff College, 1941 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1952. He was an instructor in the Armed Forces Staff College in 1952 and 1953.

Prior to his retirement in 1957 after 30 years of service, Colonel Stanton served in all sections of the United States and in Panama, Puerto Rico, New Guinea, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China and Europe.

During World War II he was Deputy Chief of Staff of X Corps in New Guinea, and in the Philippines he served at Leyte, Samar, Panay and Negros as regimental commander of the 126th Infantry of the 32d Division. He also served as commander of the 160th Infantry Regiment of the 40th Division.

In Korea from 1946 to 1947, he served as regimental commander of the 20th Infantry of the 6th Division and in Japan he served as the regimental commander of the 34th Infantry, 24th Division. He also served as port commander of the Port of Pusan in Korea.

Among his awards were the Silver Star, awarded for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart for wounds received on Leyte in November 1944, and the Bronze Star Medal for achievements connected with military operations on Negros Island on 15 May 1945.

He also was awarded the Legion of Merit for performance of outstanding services on Negros Island between 8 March and 1 May 1945 and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster for services in the Philippine Islands and Korea from 1 July 1945 to 15 January 1946. Ht was also recognized for services in organizing and directing over one million Korean and Japanese refugees in Korea.

Added by Sparkle at FindAGrave.com

During the early period of World War II, Colonel Stanton was assigned as assistant G1 of the Army Ground Forces and implemented the personnel policies which facilitated the rapid expansion of the Armed Forces. Later, as G1 and as Deputy Chief of Staff of X Corps he contributed to the success of the combat in the South Pacific.

Following the war. Colonel Stanton became Chief of the Procurement and Separation Branch in the Personnel and Administration Division of the Department of the Army General Staff.

He came to Columbia as Chief of the South Carolina Military District in 1955, and then served as Inspector for Training at Fort Jackson. After retirement he remained in Columbia where he was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

He was a member of the Columbia Drama Club, the Palmetto Club, the Retired Officers Club of Columbia, the West Point Society and the Army-Navy Club of Washington.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Mary Henderson Stanton; a son, Brendon Paul Stanton of Los Angeles; a step-daughter, Mrs. Samuel C. Miller of New York (the former Rosetta Averill of Columbia), and a brother, Colonel Walter C. Stanton of Washington, D.C.




Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis

Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis (Rear Admiral Ralph Otis Davis) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1914 as the president of his class.

He had served on several battleships and submarines, as well as heavy cruisers.

He was promoted Commander on 30 Jun 1935.

He was promoted Captain on 1 Jul 1941.

He commanded the USS Chicago (CA 29), a heavy cruiser, from December 1942 until it sunk on January 30, 1943 in the Battle of Rennell Island in the Solomon Islands, when it was attacked by Japanese aerial torpedoes during the Solomon Islands campaign. He received a Bronze Star medal for valor in the campaign.

He commanded the USS New Orleans (CA 32), another heavy cruiser from 14 Apr 1943 to 4 Jul 1943.

He was promoted Rear Admiral in July 1943.

In 1943, he organized the Amphibious Training Command, Pacific Fleet, and was its commander until 1945.

In 1945, he was in command of the 13th Amphibious Group, U. S. Pacific Fleet, in Western Pacific Operations.

The 13th Amphibious Group was tasked in September 1945 to transport the 40th Infantry Division from Panay Island to Korea for occupation.

In 1946, he was the Commander of Amphibious Group 2, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

From 1946 to 1948, he was the Commander of Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet.

His last post was in Norfolk, Va. where he was the commandant of the Fifth Naval District from 1948 to 1953. He was appointed to this post on November 30, 1948.

He retired from the Navy in 1953 with the rank of Vice Admiral after 42 years of service.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (Army) with 2 gold stars from Navy; Mexican campaign (Vera Cruz) Victory with star; American Defense with star; American Area Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign with star and Philippine Liberation medals; Bronze medal with combat V; Commander Order of British Empire.

Following his retirement, he served for several years as executive administrator of the Episcopal diocese in southern Virginia.

Rear Admiral Ralph O. Davis was born on January 19, 1891 in Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois.

His parents were Edward Richard Davis and Mary Gertrude Grubbs Davis.

His siblings were Ella Ferne Davis Lewis (1880–1932), Frances Mary Davis Talcott (1885–1962), Edward Paul Davis (1887–1888), Louise Davis Yaeger (1895–1973) and Edward Richard Davis Jr (1901–1954.)

He was married twice. His first wife, the former Anita Cresap (Annita Bithia Cresap Davis ), of Annapolis, died in 1922. The former Dorothy Benson (Dorothy Benson Davis), his second wife, died in November, 1966.

His children were Ralph Cresap Davis, of Annapolis; Otis Benson, of Kent, Conn.; and LCDR Frank McDowell Leavitt Davis, who died in 1946.

He died at Portsmouth Naval Hospital after a short illness in 1967. He was 76.

He's buried at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. (United States Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.)

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/alphabetical---donations0/d/ua-461-34-admiral-ralph-o--davis-collection-.html
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-394000/80-G-394167.html
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/80-G-382000/80-G-382510.html




Lieut. Col. Bernard J. Kitt

Brig. Gen. Bernard J. Kitt

Brigadier General Bernard J. Kitt
Deputy Adjutant General, Army Division
California Army National Guard

General Kitt enlisted in the California National Guard in 1931 and was commissioned as a 2d lieutenant in the Infantry in 1935. He went on active duty with the 159th Infantry in March 1941 as a company commander and was promoted to captain in 1941. He next was assigned as acting assistant G-2, 40th Infantry Division, and later as Assistant chief of Staff, G-2, and was promoted to major in January 1943. When the 40th Division went to the Pacific Theater, he served in this assignment throughout most of World War II, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1944 and colonel in January 1946. General Kitt was in the Army of Occupation in Korea before being released from active service on 4 April 1946.

General Kitt rejoined the California National Guard when it was reactivated in 1946 and was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, 49th Infantry Division, as a lieutenant colonel. He was later reassigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1. He was promoted to colonel in June 1953 and made Chief of Staff of the 49th Division in 1958. General Kitt was appointed as Deputy Adjutant General, Army Division, California National Guard, in January 1961, and extended Federal recognition as a brigadier general on 16 March 1962.

Decorations and Awards: Legion of Merit Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five stars and arrowhead; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two devices; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star; California Service Medal; California 25-year Service Medal.

Civic Affiliations: Veterans of Foreign Wars; Military Order of World Wars; National Rifle Association; Association of the United States Army; National Guard Associations of the United States and of California.

Home Address: 1945 Wingfield Way,
Carmichael, California 95608 Born: Sacramento, California, 2 January 1914
University of California, 1946.
Infantry School: Basic Officers Course, 1941;
Refresher Course, 1954, 1958, 1961.
Engineer School: Aerial Photo Interpretation Course, 1941.
Command and General Staff College: General Staff Course, 1943;
Refresher Course, 1947-1951, 1953-1959;
Senior Officers Nuclear Weapons Employment Course, 1958.
Industrial College: Field Economy Mobilization Course, 1950.
Adjutant General's School: Personnel Management Course, 1950.
Army War College, 1952.
Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missile School: Special Weapons and Guided Missile Orientation Course, 1955.
Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Weapons Orientation Course, 1960.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45588376/bernard_joseph-kitt




Tech. Sgt. Terno Odow

T-Sgt. Terno Odow was born on May 20, 1920 in Moyer Junction, Wyoming, near Kemmerer, Wyoming.

His parents were Kanichi Odow (Gonichi Kanichi Odow) and Haruye Kataoka of 134 Mead Street, Salt Lake, Utah.

His siblings were Masako Odow Taku (Masako Taku) of San Jose, CA; Toshi Odow (Toshiko Odow) of Salt Lake City, UT; Fusaye Peck (Fusaye Odow-Peck) of Saugus, CA; Fumi O. Toma (Fumi Odow-Toma, Fumiko Odow, Fumiko Odow-Toma, or Fumiko Toma); and Richard Odow of Roy, UT.

His wife was Rosa S. Odow.

He attended high school in Rexburg, Idaho where he was very active in track and field sports and held the title of State of Idaho champion in the low hurdles competition for many years.

Photo added by Romper90069 at FindAGrave.com

He speaks fluent Japanese, having spent two years at Keio University, Tokyo, before the outbreak of the war.

After discharge from the military service, he attended and graduated from the University of Utah, receiving his degree in Business Administration.

He was employed by Ponder & Best in Denver, CO and later was transferred to Southern California to become Vice President of said company and remained until retirement.

He was an avid golfer in California and also served as President of the Optimist Club.

He passed away on September 11, 1999 at Holy Cross Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

He's buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

https://www.deseret.com/1999/9/17/19466240/obituary-terno-odow/




Japanese Translators Secretly Helped Win World War II
Click on the arrow to start the video



Frank Patrick
Franklin Edward Patrick
By Staff Writer on August 15, 2014

Frank Patrick Added by Sharon Holliday at FindAGrave.com

Mr. Franklin Edward Patrick was a native of Ft. Gaines but had lived in Barnesville for most of his life.

He was the son of the late Mr. Hugh Franklin Patrick and the late Mrs. Julia Elizabeth Herman Patrick and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine Leverett Patrick; by his brother, Oscar Herman Patrick; and by two sisters, Sarah Michael and Aurellia Craig.

Mr. Patrick was a graduate of Gordon Military High School and attended Gordon College. He was truly a self-made man. Early in adulthood, he studied welding as an apprentice who wanted no payment other than the knowledge and training that he could receive. His first project was to build himself a wood lathe which was the beginning of a lifelong passion in woodworking and woodturning. Mr. Patrick started his own business and became the founder of the local woodturning group. His first large job was the staircase in the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta in which all of the spindles were turned by hand. Among other examples of his work is the carousel at Six Flags Over Georgia. He even held a Guinness World Record for the largest hand turned wooden bowl in the world. Mr. Patrick was also employed by the city of Barnesville where, over the years, he served in several capacities including city zoning administrator and water works superintendent.

Mr. Patrick was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army in both World War II and in the Korean Conflict.

He was a Mason for the past 60 years and was a member of Pinta Lodge 88. Mr. Patrick was a member of the First Baptist Church of Barnesville where he had been a deacon.

Mr. Patrick, age 88, of Barnesville passed away Aug. 14, 2014 in an Upson County healthcare facility.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Patrick; four children, Franklin E. Patrick and Christie) of Pooler, Gail Rooks (and Ricky) of Barnesville, Hugh Patrick (and Carole) of Barnesville and Linda Patrick of McDonough; three stepchildren, Tom Torbert (and Margaret) of Marietta, Johnny Torbert (and Nadine) of Barnesville and Christy Caldwell (and Bill) of Nashville, Tenn.; two brothers-in-law, Edgar Wright of Charlotte, N.C., and Wayne Leverett (and Vicky) of Savannah; five grandchildren, Tim Rooks (and Lauren) of Barnesville, Ryan Rooks (and Amber) of Barnesville, Heather Metcalf (and Donald) of Jacksonville, Fla., Wilson Patrick of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jason Dixon of Pooler, Ga.; five step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; and two step-great-great grandchildren.

He's buried at Greenwood Cemetery Barnesville, Lamar County, Georgia.

https://barnesville.com/franklin-edward-patrick/.




Kenneth R. Goodwin

Kenneth Goodwin

A Very Special Gift from Veteran Kenny Goodwin

Robert McGary

February 18, 2021

Mr. Kenny Goodwin, from North Berwick, was a WWII Veteran who passed away this fall. Marshwood Middle School is honored that he willed his most cherished military belongings, his Japanese flag, and his VFW cover (Hat) to our school.

Kenny served as a rifleman in the 40th Infantry in WWII in the Pacific and in the Korean War. He was on Panay Island at the time of Japanese surrender during WWII and he often spoke of the weeks that followed the surrender and his experience with the wounded Japanese soldiers. His compassion shone through when he offered a drink of water to a wounded Japanese soldier who gifted him a Japanese flag as a token of appreciation for the act of kindness.

For many years he spoke at Marshwood Middle School at the World War II Day and in 2011 he donated his World War II Victory Medal, his sergeant stripes, and a book on the history of the “185th Infantry Regiment, the 40th Infantry Division in Korea” that he wrote to Marshwood Middle School’s World War II museum. He attended our Veteran’s Day Assembly for the past twenty years.

His military treasures are stored in a special cabinet made by Harry Williams, a fellow WWII veteran. The flag end cover was recently professionally framed and mounted and is displayed for all of us to reflect and remember.


https://www.rsu35.org/o/mms/article/404333

Pre-War Life Drafted and Deployed to the Philippines Panay Island and Japanese Surrender Japanese Troops on Panay Island Writing His Unit's History Coming Home

Kenny Goodwin, 85, of North Berwick, a combat veteran of World War II, recounts a chilling story Friday for students at the Marshwood Middle School in Eliot, Maine. (Photo by Rich Beauchesne)

WWII Combat Veteran Shares His Story With Eliot Students

ELIOT, Maine — Forty eighth-grade students sat in a classroom at Marshwood Middle School on Friday morning, glued to their seats as World War II veterans shared their stories, some harrowing, some heartfelt, some bringing tears.

Kenny Goodwin, 85, of North Berwick, a combat veteran of World War II, recounts a chilling story Friday for students at the Marshwood Middle School in Eliot, Maine.

By David Ramsay

Posted Mar. 24, 2012 at 2:00 AM

ELIOT, Maine — Forty eighth-grade students sat in a classroom at Marshwood Middle School on Friday morning, glued to their seats as World War II veterans shared their stories, some harrowing, some heartfelt, some bringing tears.

The storytelling was part of the annual World War II Day at the school, which brings together local veterans and students. The event was first held in 1993.

In addition to listening to the veterans, students watched cartoons from the era, and educational and propaganda films made by Walt Disney designed to enlist Americans into the war effort and convince them of the brutality of the Germans and Japanese.

Army veteran Kenneth Goodwin served in the 40th Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands during World War II, just before the Japanese surrendered.

Right after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Goodwin and his unit were sent back to the island they had liberated to obtain surrender of the Japanese soldiers dug in on a mountaintop and unaware the war was over, he said.

After dropping leaflets on their caves in the mountains, the emaciated, bedraggled, sick and wounded Japanese soldiers marched 17 miles and appeared out of the jungle, he said.

Two Japanese soldiers approached him carrying a third soldier on a stretcher, the Army veteran said.

"He was pretty near dead and was all bandaged up with old rags — they had no food; they lived off bananas and coconut," he said.

The sick soldier looked at Goodwin's canteen and put his fingers to his mouth.

Goodwin then gave him a drink of water, even after a buddy told him, "'I wouldn't give him a drink of water; not after what they did to us.'"

"I says, 'The war's over now; I'm going to give him a drink of water,'" Goodwin said.

After Goodwin gave the soldier a drink, the soldier pulled a Japanese flag from his shirt.

"When he gave it to me, he took a hold of my hand, squeezed my hand, much to say thank you for giving him a drink of water, and mumbled something in Japanese," Goodwin said.

Goodwin's buddy translated what he said: "You're my friend now."

"Two weeks before that, he was trying to kill me, and I was trying to kill him," Goodwin said.

After the program, students Anna Springfield, Gabby Rice and Maddie Owens commented on the veterans' stories.

"It was sad and I cried — it was really hard thinking about someone seeing people die and how friendly he was to other people, who were enemies before. ... He just put all that aside and helped someone," said Springfield.

Rice said she bawled after Goodwin told his story.

"Ken Goodwin's story was amazing," Owens said. "It's interesting to know you can stop thinking about war to help a fellow human being — someone's your friend — put aside everything else to help someone."

Social studies teacher Lee Petrie said Walt Disney turned his studio over to the U.S. Army, which created many cartoons and films from as early as 1938.

The school's WWII instruction introduces students to the war and its impact on the world, he said.

"It's such a huge scope; it changed the world — it defines who we are today."

The other important part of the study unit is how it unites the generations, he added.

"We have kids bringing in things from their parents and grandparents — there's a connection there," he said. "The history's tangible ...; it's not always fat guys in white wigs writing on parchment."

Originally posted at:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20120324/NEWS/203240319

Kenneth Goodwin

Kenneth R. Goodwin
August 31, 1926 ~ September 26, 2020 (age 94)
OBITUARY

Kenneth R. Goodwin, 94, of North Berwick passed away peacefully at his home on September 26, 2020.

Kenneth R. Goodwin was born in South Berwick Maine on August 31, 1926. He attended Berwick Academy in South Berwick before joining the US Army. He served as a rifleman in the 40th Infantry in the WWII in the Pacific and in the Korean War. He was on Panay Island at the time of Japanese surrender during WWII and he often speaks of the weeks that followed the surrender and his experience with the wounded Japanese soldiers. His compassion shone through when he offered a drink of water to a wounded Japanese soldier who gifted him a Japanese flag as a token of appreciation for the act of kindness. He was honored to serve his country and during his time in service he received the Maine WW II victory medal, Japanese Victory medal, Cold War Conduct medal, Army commendation medal and the Philippine liberation ribbon. After completing his time in the military, he returned home to work at the South Berwick Shoe Factory where he reconnected with Marion Hilton and they were married June 24, 1949. After his time at the shoe factory he was a long-time employee at the Hussey Seating Company in North Berwick, Maine.

Ken and Marion bought a farm on “Cabbage Hill” in North Berwick in 1954 which they named Deb-Tone Farm in honor of their two children. Ken was an avid leader in the York County 4-H Organization for both his children and his grandchildren. During his many years as a farmer he raised many types of animals, but his true joy was in the cattle that he and his family raised including dual breed Shorthorns and Herefords. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren continued the tradition of showing cattle through the 4-H programs throughout the state of Maine and at the Big E in Massachusetts. Ken’s love for the farm and preserving that way of life was evident as he and Marion worked with the support of the community to enter the farm into the Maine Farm Trust which will ensure that the land is forever a farm. Ken also served as a superintendent of the Acton Fair for many years. The fair allowed Ken time to catch up with his many friends in the farming community.

Ken’s time with the Army had a lasting impact on his life and he continued to serve as a 64 year member of South Berwick VFW Post 5744. Through the VFW Ken became a Pease Greeter and he enjoyed his role in welcoming home the troops passing through Portsmouth International Airport. You could find him there at any time day or night that a flight was coming in talking with the troops, sharing his stories and learning about them. He would share the stories that he heard from the returning soldiers with his friends and family. Ken also spent many days at schools and colleges talking about his time in Army. For many years he spoke at Marshwood Middle School at the World War II Day and in 2011 he donated his World War II Victory Medal, his sergeant stripes and a book on the history of the "185th Infantry Regiment, the 40th Infantry Division in Korea” that he wrote to Marshwood Middle School’s World War II museum.

Ken has truly touched many lives across the globe by lending an ear or sharing a story. He was proud of his service to his country, his farm, his 4-H kids, his community and his family. After a conversation with Ken you would know all about his beloved New England sports teams, his engagement with past and present soldiers and his love for his wife, his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. His storytelling was legendary and will be missed by all.

Ken is predeceased by 4 brothers, Ralph, Everett, Franklin and Richard Goodwin; 2 sisters, Gladys Collier and Marion Boston. He will be sorely missed by his wife of 76 years, Marion (Hilton) Goodwin of North Berwick; Daughter Deborah Stillberger and husband Tom of North Berwick; son Anthony Goodwin and his wife Susan of Rochester, NH; 4 grandchildren, Michael Stillberger, Melissa Stillberger Gibbons and husband David, Wanda Kimball Ballentine and husband Ben, Anthony Goodwin, Jr. and wife Angela; 6 great grandchildren, Claire Gibbons, Tobias Gibbons, Owen Stillberger, Tyler Cheever, Emily Stillberger and Maxwell Stillberger.

https://www.johnsonfuneralhomeme.com/obituary/Kenneth-Goodwin




Tech. Sgt. Moffet M. Ishikawa

The Nisei constantly risked being mistaken for the enemy and were again regularly assigned bodyguards. “I was bodyguard to an American of Japanese descent who was risking his life to act as an interpreter for us,” wrote a Caucasian soldier to Time in February 1944. “He was a target for both Jap and American bullets. . . . I wish to God that some of the people at home who say: ‘Democracy is for the white race only’ could be made to go out and fight for it.”23 Commanders had to ensure their troops were familiar with the Nisei. For example, when the 40th Infantry Division was preparing for the New Britain landing, Moffett M. Ishikawa from San Jose, California, would meet with different units and tell them, “Take a good look at me!” Nisei Linguists, Page 243 Moffett M. Ishikawa, “Humor in Uniform,” Reader’s Digest (June 1958): 155

Moffet Ishikawa: Returning to San Jose, California Japantown from WWII
Click on the arrow to start the video
Looking Back: A Japanese American Soldier Returns Home
by Ralph Pearce, April 27, 2016


Sgt. Moffet Ishikawa at his camp site in the South Pacific during WWII.
Photo courtesy of Moffet Ishikawa.

In October of 2007, I interviewed 88-year-old Moffet Ishikawa, the younger brother of San Jose Japantown historian Dr. Tokio “Tok” Ishikawa. Moffet told of his life growing up in Japantown in the 1920s and 1930s, the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans from Santa Clara Valley, his experience with the Army during WWII, and finally settling down and raising a family after returning from military service.

Moffet was a engaging person, who spoke with warmth and sincerity. One of his more poignant stories was that of his return to San Jose after the war. In relating the experience, Moffet began by explaining that from a very young age, whenever he returned home from school or play, he would enter the house calling out, “Tadaima” meaning “I’m home” in Japanese. His mother would invariably respond with, “Okairi” meaning “Welcome home.”

During WWII, Moffet served in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Service, and interrogated Japanese prisoners. Following the war, he spent time in occupied Korea. After having served for four years, he received word that he could finally return home. After being discharged at Camp Beale near Marysville, Moffet began his journey home. He hitched a ride to Oakland, and then took the train to San Jose.

From the San Jose train station, Moffet decided to take a cab the remainder of the way home. When he reached Japantown, he asked to be dropped off on the corner of 6th and Jackson which was near the family store and home. As Moffet stepped out of the cab, he noticed an elderly lady walking towards him. As she came closer, he realized that it was his mother. When she was very near, he stepped up to her and said softly, “Hi Mama, tadaima.” His mother looked up at him for a moment, and then finally recognizing him replied, “Okairi.” Welcome home. Image: Artist Tammy Dong depicts Moffet reuniting with his mother following the Japanese Internment and years of military service.


Artist Tammy Dong depicts Moffet reuniting with his mother following the Japanese Internment and years of military service. Collection of Ralph Pearce.

Looking Back: A Japanese American Soldier Returns Home.


Moffet M. Ishikawa
OBITUARY

Moffet M. Ishikawa Resident of San Jose, Ca Passed away peacefully at home on March 15th, 2014 at the age of 95. Moffet was born and raised in San Jose, California. During World War II, he was drafted into the US Army and proudly served his country in the Military Intelligence Service. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star and most recently the Congressional Gold Medal. After the war he met his wife, Thelma Noguchi, and they had 58 special years together. When Thelma passed away about seven years ago Moffet began going to the Yu-Ai-Kai Senior Service Center for his weekday lunches. Here he met friends new and old as well as a wonderful, caring staff. We will always be grateful to them all. Moffet was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife Thelma, brother Tokio, and sister May Shimoguchi. He is survived by his sister, Yoneko Morishita of San Mateo, children Norman (Joni) of San Jose, Ann (Toshiya) Tanoue of Fountain Valley, CA, John (Jill) of Mililani, HI, Barbara (Bruce) Welch of Gilroy, grandchildren Julie, Jamie, Steven, Gregory, Jayson, Jordan and Kevin, great grandchildren Brayden and Camden and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 4:00pm at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin located at 640 N. 5th Street, San Jose.

https://www.mercurynews.com/obituaries/moffet-m-ishikawa/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mercurynews/name/moffet-ishikawa-obituary?id=17748075




40th Infantry Division Order of Battle, September 1945
Division Headquarters

115th Engineer Combat Battalion

115th Medical Battalion

Special Troops
40th Signal Company
40th Military Police Platoon
740th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
40th Quartermaster Company

40th Counter-Intelligence Corps Detachment

180th Language Detachment

40th Reconnaissance Troop

503d Parachute Infantry Regiment

160th Infantry Regiment

185th Infantry Regiment

Division Artillery
143rd Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
164th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
213th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
222th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)

Attached Units:
749th Field Artillery Battalion (8 Inch Howitzer)
20th Portable Surgical Hospital
21st Portable Surgical Hospital
175th Malaria Control Unit
216th Malaria Survey Unit

https://www.militarymuseum.org/40thORBAT45.html