The US Navy Japanese/Oriental Language School Archival Project The Interpreter Archives, University of Colorado at Boulder Number 194 Remember September 11, 2001 [email protected] April 1, 2014

Our Mission Boulder, CO. He returned to Wesleyan and graduated in 1946. In the Spring of 2000, the He began his insurance career Archives continued the origi- with American International nal efforts of Captain Roger Underwriters Corporation. After Pineau and William Hudson, training at Lloyds of London and and the Archives first at- marrying Doreen Brown in tempts in 1992, to gather the London in 1948, he was papers, letters, photographs, transferred to Shanghai, China, and records of graduates of where his daughter, Linda, was the US Navy Japanese/ born in 1949. Upon evacuation Oriental Language School, from Shanghai, they relocated to University of Colorado at Tokyo, Japan. He was appointed Boulder, 1942-1946. We Resident Vice President of AIU Buck grew up in China and assemble these papers in Japan in 1952; his son, Graeme, acquired fluency in Mandarin. recognition of the contribu- was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, He interrupted his studies at tions made by JLS/OLS in 1955; and he was appointed Wesleyan to serve in the Navy instructors and graduates to President of AIU Japan in 1956. during World War II and the War effort in the Pacific He remained in Japan for 21 provided intelligence reports and the Cold War, to the years before moving to New from southern China behind Freeman’s years at Wesleyan creation of East Asian York. In 1983, he was elected Japanese lines. especially indicate the extent to language programs across President and Chief Operating After the war, he became the which World War II interrupted the country, and to the Officer of American first Wesleyan student to earn a and invaded every facet of development of Japanese- International Group (AIG). Upon degree in Japanese. He captained student life in the 1940s, from American cultural rec- his retirement in 1993, he the 1946 Wesleyan soccer team the newly established Civil onciliation programs after remained an honorary Director in a season that had only one loss Aeronautics Student Pilot Course World War II. of AIG. Upon his father's death (against Yale), which nearly to the Naval Flight Preparatory in 1992, Mr. Freeman assumed equaled the record of Wesleyan’s School that began operating FREEMAN, position of Chairman of the undefeated team on which he “alongside of, but not in HOUGHTON Freeman Foundation which he had starred in 1940. In 1947 he conjunction with the regular "BUCK," DEARLY ran with his wife and son until joined AIG, where he spent the Liberal Arts curriculum.” Note, too, Wesleyan’s “World War II LOVED HUSBAND his death. rest of his career, rising to the Paid Notice top levels of company leadership. Roll of Honor” that appeared in OF DOREEN FOR New York Times As Roth writes, Freeman’s the 1943 yearbook. OVER 62 YEARS December 5, 2010 studies were interrupted by At 203 students, the Class of Freeman Family 1947 was the largest yet in FREEMAN--Houghton "Buck," ______World War II, during which he Wesleyan’s history. But more dearly loved husband of Doreen served in the Navy. He is listed, Remembering Houghton notably, as an astonishing for over 62 years, passed away in by Roth and others, as a 1943 “Buck” Freeman ’43 graduate, but he left Wes in 1942 foreword to the ’47 yearbook Stowe, VT, on Wednesday, points out, it was also December 1, 2010. He is deeply Earlier this week President Roth and returned after the war to “undoubtedly the only Class to mourned by his beloved son, sent out an email announcing the captain the 1946 soccer team and be graduated from Wesleyan that Graeme Freeman, and his wife, passing of beloved [Wesleyan] his yearbook photo (above) has not a single member, who Nancy, of Honolulu, HI, and alumnus and former trustee appears in the senior section of took his four regular years in the daughter, Linda Post, and her (1982–1991) Houghton “Buck” the 1947 Olla Podrida. Here’s usual order.” Students left their husband, Don, of Stowe, VT. Freeman ’43, son of AIG co- his senior , which lists his studies to serve in the war, and Equally loved were his founder Mansfield Freeman ’16. sprawling extracurricular then returned in large numbers to grandchildren, Alec and Colin “Freeman’s numerous accomplishments as: “Cardinal” complete their work, five, six, Freeman; Tyler, Alexi, and contributions to the University,” Business Board, Varsity Soccer even seven years after arriving as Graham Post; and stepgrandsons, the Argus writes, “including a $5 Co-captain, Squash, Golf freshmen. David and Scott DeCristo. Buck million gift in the 1980s that (letters); Freshman Soccer In this regard, Freeman was Freeman was born in Peking, funded construction of the Bacon Captain (numerals); Le Cercle no exception. But in his post- China, in 1921, the son of Field House and the new pool in Francais; La Tertulia; TNE; Phi graduation involvement with and Professor Mansfield Freeman the Freeman Athletic Center, Nu Theta secretary; Candidate contributions to this school, he and his wife, Mary Houghton. made him the largest donor in for Distinction in Government. quite certainly was. Check out He graduated from the Shanghai Wesleyan’s history.” That’s a For more glimpses of the Argus‘s front-page piece on American School and then pretty astounding superlative. extracurricular life from an era Freeman here, and read Roth’s attended Wesleyan University in More from President Roth’s long past, check out these for The Newman Club, The announcement here. Middletown, CT. After this, he email, and then some snapshots entered the US Navy and from Freeman’s student years at Camera Club, The Rosa Club, posted on December 4, 2010 at 3:49 attended the Japanese Language Wes: The Rifle Club, and The Pre- PM,http://fwix.com/connecticut/shar Schools in Berkeley, CA, and Medical Club. e/951d5505fb/remembering_houghto its own destiny,” said Alan The critical conservation every Asian studies center and n_buck_freeman_43 Thorndike, a Stowe lawyer who project, the largest in state department across the country posted ______announcements and condolences. was part of the Stowe Education history, meant the private land The Freeman Foundation had Fund movement. would remain open to the public, Freeman: generously supported programs in “He was an extraordinarily and continue to be used for Asian languages and international A titan in his field generous person with the right logging and recreation as it has understanding for decades. Our attitude,” Thorndike said. for generations. In 1997, the Brigham decision humble project was only one tiny Though the Freeman Johannes von Trapp, an avid recipient of a philanthropic effort of issued by the Vermont Supreme Foundation does its work all conservationist and the owner of global reach.] Court ruled that all children were ______over the world, “it always kind the Trapp Family Lodge, said entitled to an equal education of amazed me how Vermont was Freeman’s early and important opportunity. USMCEL so integral” in what Freeman and leadership on the Champion deal That decision led to Act 60, a the foundation did, Thorndike brought other large foundations Conversation school-funding formula hastily said — huge conservation and charities to the effort. conceived by the Legislature. (Cont’d) projects all over the state, with Without them, the deal might For Stowe, the law meant the Stowe Land Trust one of the well have failed. Dear Mr. Dunbar: property-tax bills would more beneficiaries; scholarships; the “He contributed tremendously It was rewarding to read all of than triple if the school budget UVM nursing and Asian Studies to Vermont through the the vignettes you have written were kept as is, with the extra programs; and colleges and foundation and through his about your experiences in WWII, money going to schools universities all over the United influence and stature with a and I was especially pleased to elsewhere in Vermont. States. whole lot of other nonprofits, learn of the bond between you Stowe struggled to find a way Freeman rose to prominence particularly in the environmental and Col. Stent. It stands in such to comply with the law without in the insurance industry, serving side of things,” Von Trapp said. marked contrast to the non- decimating its schools. as president and chief executive “He was largely responsible for relationship that characterized Enter Houghton Freeman, a of the American International coming up with the cash for the what passed between me and my Stowe resident. Group from 1983 to 1993 before easement on the champions C.O., Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Freeman realized the financial taking the helm of the foundation timberland deal and, through his during the two operations, Cape dilemma faced by Stowe and that bears his family name. influence, lots of other Gloucester and Pelelieu, at other, similar Vermont school foundation money came into the which he and I were in the same systems, and decided to ease the The foundation has given away state.” unit, H&S Co., First Marine tax burden by setting up hundreds of millions of dollars Freeman’s death, said Von Division. Of course, to say he matching grants through his over the years around the globe Trapp, “will not only be a was "in" that unit is wrong: he family foundation. in the fields of education, tremendous loss for his family commanded the entire regiment, In 1998, the Freeman international understanding with but to the state of Vermont.” whereas the unit was where I Foundation-based Vermont a focus on Asia, international “I didn’t know Buck "belonged," in a logistical sense Education Initiative matched relief, the environment and land personally, but certainly knew of [an interesting and important privately raised funds in Stowe conservation. him by reputation,” said Stuart distinction]. To "work with" with roughly $1 million of its While he was “a titan in his Comstock-Gay, president and such a C.O. was what you did; I own money, allowing schools to field,” Thorndike said, “it was CEO of the Vermont Community was only "noticed" by Col. continue to operate as they had. endearing that Buck held Foundation, which manages Puller on the one occasion when It did the same in 1999. Vermont so close to his heart. I more than 570 charitable funds I had the effrontery to say, in Freeman died Dec. 1 at age believe he was a resident of with more than $143 million in response to his order that on the 89. Vermont when all his tax assets. “And he will be missed. Peleliu operation there were to Following the Freeman advisers were telling him to get a The foundation that bears his be NO PRISONERS. "But Foundation’s help, the Stowe place in Florida or whatever.” family’s name is an inspiration Colonel, that's my main job, Education Foundation found its “Buck was truly committed to in the way that it has encouraged interrogating prisoners!" His legs and, independently, the town of Stowe and our way a better understanding between idea of command brooked no launched its own fundraising of life,” said Donna Carpenter of the people of this country and opposition - no advice - no effort that has helped to maintain Stowe. Carpenter, a former chair those of other countries.” suggestions, even. He knew he excellence in Stowe schools to of the Stowe Education Fund, led “What I enjoyed most was was a legend in the Corps as a this day. the charge to raise money and that he was so regular, solid, "take charge" commander, he “Were it not for Houghton rally support for Stowe’s schools down to earth,” Thorndike said. reveled in it, and when he Freeman’s initiative and vision, after Act 60 was adopted. “His “I used to kid him about his ordered a Second Lieutenant in Stowe would be a different backing of the Stowe Education appearance — beat-up boots, H & S Co. to "get your carbine community today,” said Nancy Fund had everything to do with shaggy pants. … and take out and shoot" a Jeffries Dwyer, executive that commitment.” “He gave my kids their first sniveling Korean captive drafted director of the Stowe Education Freeman’s foundation job, cutting a trail up to his against his will as a slave- Fund. The fund “cannot begin to initiatives are many, but chief house,” Thorndike said. “He laborer, he had no fear of the express in words its gratitude to among them in Vermont was a inspected it every day.” Geneva Conventions or of Houghton Freeman for his lead role in conserving the having broken Marine Corps kindness, generosity, and his Tom Kearney and Biddle Duke Champion Paper Co. lands in the orders. The lieutenant did as devotion to the children of his Stowe Reporter commanded, neither he nor his Northeast Kingdom. The December 9, 2010 home state.” Freeman Foundation spent C.O. ever was held accountable, The matching funds “seemed [Ed. Note: Curiously, Mr. Freeman upward of $4.5 million to lock in and a person like me learned an to me an ideal balance between died while his interview with Lynn conservation easements on the indelible lesson: don't try to using the charitable power of the Parisi was appearing in the 132,000 acres after the company protest an atrocity when you're Freeman Foundation and newsletter. These are but merely a decided to sell its Vermont land. few of the notices found on Google® all alone. inspiring the community toward on Buck Freeman’s death. Virtually of one of the ship captains that 1979 and was elected A. I. Ch. E. The is both exhaustive sank much of our fleet at Pearl Fellow in 1983. and exhausting – it covered Harbor and the grandson of one Since 1947, Frank was a everything expected while being of two field marshals in the member of the Newark United tiresome in requiring some forty Japanese Imperial Army in the Methodist Church where he hours or more of close to Russo-Japanese War in 1895, he served as a church school teacher, complete, over a week’s time. is quite a character. He makes church school superintendent, Yet it was and is a magnificent deals selling golf courses trustee and member of the work, interestingly written and and buildings in the $500 Building Committees and was a thorough in details. At the outset million bracket. He gets a kick member of the Wesley he indicates, if memory serves, COL Howard M. Stent USMCR, out of my Japanese and Foundation board of directors. his lifelong practice of keeping a asst. COS G-2, ISCOM Guam, introducing me to the chefs at He also served on the boards of diary, which accounts for the receives Legion of Merit from these fancy Japanese restaurants. the Newark Day Nursery, copious detail supplied MGEN Henry L. Larsen Is. Cdr. Newark Kindergarten throughout. Guam. Agana Hgts HQs receives All the best, and thanks! Legion Bldg, overlooking Agana Jerry Green Association, Newark Branch of His early life involved Bay, fall 1945, b&w, 8x10. Pineau [USMCEL 1942] the YMCA and the Wilmington shuttling back and forth from ______11_02_00_25. and New Castle County YMCA. Arizona to Mexico as his family At Heron Point, Frank was an coped with the marriages of their To learn from you that your Frank Rush active member of the Chester many relatives, some of which C.O. was a large-minded person Testers and led a team of embraced the Mormon faith who recognized that "today's 1921-2010 volunteers in monitoring the more vigorously than others. enemy maybe tomorrow's friend, Frank E. Rush, 88, formerly of water quality of the Chester Spencer separated in faith from so treat him properly" was Newark, died suddenly on July River. that of his father, who was one of heartening. And then to learn 19, at his home at Heron Point in Frank married Patricia the twelve “apostles” in the that my "best buddy" in the Chestertown, MD. Morgan in 1944 and they were a church and who expected young MCRD Boot Camp platoon, the Born in Washington, PA on devoted couple for 65 years. Kimball to follow suit. Spencer kid I palled around with at his July 25, 1921, Frank was the son Frank is survived by three nevertheless completed a two- parents’ home in Warner's of the late Frank E. and Minnie daughters, Marilyn Garthwaite year period of service for the Springs[, was COL Stent’s son] - Dailey Rush. He attended the and her husband Gene of church on a mission in Canada, that did a lot to heal a long- Washington, PA public schools Landenberg, PA, Janet hitchhiking more than 1,000 smoldering animus toward my and Washington and Jefferson Vanderwaart and her husband miles in the process. WW II experience that has College where he received a BA Peter of Stamford, CT and Anita Early on, I was curious as to always stopped me from in Mathematics graduating Rush of Newark, DE; a son, whether Spencer would mention automatically reciprocating when Summa Cum Laude. Frank also David Rush and his wife Jun his service on the insurance another veteran says "Semper Fi" received a BS in Chemical Shan Wey of Sammamish, WA; commission seminar I designed to me [other Marine JLO Engineering from the four grandchildren, Joseph and and conducted for some 15 years veterans held similar long- Massachusetts Institute of Catherine Vanderwaart and while dean of the College of standing views for the same Technology and a Masters in Nikko and Adriana Rush; and Insurance in New York. And reason]. Chemical Engineering from the one great-granddaughter, Amy there it was! Page 245. Again, thanks for a University of Delaware. Frank Vanderwaart. Frank was In looking through the pages fascinating trip down memory studied Japanese at the preceded in death by his son now that I have completed the lane. It struck me that you were University of Colorado Naval Kenneth in 1961 and his wife reading, I find myself tempted to much more fluent than I in Oriental Language School and Patricia in 2009. read it all again. That, in itself, Japanese. Your course at Camp was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Rush Family proves the work is worthy of a Elliot was, I believe, 20 weeks Frank joined the DuPont ______reader’s close attention, even if long whereas my class, the initial Engineering Department in 1944 he or she did not know Spencer one, was 13. But your much and worked at Chambers Works, as I did. The pages are 8½ X 11, more intensive contact with the Experimental Station, and Spencer LeVan Kimball, A Tale with two columns of small font. POWs must have improved your Louviers where he retired as a that is Told: an Autobiography. With Spencer’s frugality, which Japanese immensely. Not Principal Consultant (Mass (self published, Salt Lake City, he demonstrated and described forgetting of course that you Transfer) in 1986. He was Utah, 2000) 447 pages, no index. on numerous occasions may simply be inherently more Adjunct Professor of Chemical throughout (sleeping in cars skilled at language than I. Engineering at the University of This book review was the result overnight on trips to avoid hotel In any case, I'm enjoying Delaware from 1971-1980, a of my discovery that my lifelong costs), I am convinced he typed living now in downtown L A, registered professional engineer good friend, Spencer Kimball, the manuscript himself. A skilled where I recently moved for the State of Delaware, was a student at the Japanese typist will see the indicators. He following the death of my emeritus member and 50 year Language School in Boulder successfully squeezed out of life wife. I bought a condo in member of the American Colorado in World War II, the many accomplishments he Bunker Hill Tower from a Institute of Chemical Engineers. revealed from my of wanted. There is much to be Japanese businessman who had He was the DuPont The Interpreter, published by learned from reading this book. lived there for 20 years. Despite representative to Fractionation David Hays at the University of a handicap that makes long Research, Inc. from 1972-1986 Robert W. Strain Colorado. More than a month of Dean Emeritus walks difficult, I am enjoying my and to Washington University searching was required to find re-acquaintance with Little College of Insurance in New York Thermodynamic Research the sole existing copy on the [served with John McCubbin, Tokyo and eating excellent Laboratory from 1970-86. Frank market, and I was JLS 1944, during the Occupation] Japanese food at restaurants the is listed in "American Men and ______lucky in getting it – autographed previous owner, Tadashige Women of Science" 14th , for an associate of Spencer’s, Oku, introduced me to. The son too, if you will. Archibald Hanna Jr. Robert Hanna of Leominster, Ed practiced law in Honolulu transmissions between Moscow 1916-2010 Mass., a sister, Priscilla B. from 1946 to 1962, where he and Vladivostok. After the Hanks of Wellesley, Mass., and served as a Bar Examiner and Surrender, he causally changed five grandchildren. with the Hawaii Employment his name, was sent to Siberia as Born in Worcester, MA on Sep. 24, 1916, departed on Jun. 24, http://obit.wsclancy.com/obitdisplay. Relations Board. In 1959, he slave labor, and was undetected 2010 and resided in Branford, html?id=800592 became a partner in the firm of as he was being repatriated by ______Matsunaga, Wiles and Mui. In way of Darien. He was most CT. In Hamden, Archibald Hanna Ernest Edwards Wiles 1962, he managed the successful anxious to be helpful, and my Congressional campaign of his good friend Kozo Fukuda (also a Jr., 93, retired Curator of the JLS 1944, 1918-2011 Western Americana partner, Spark Matsunaga who lowly lieutenant), to whom he in the Beinecke Rare Book and Ernest Edward Wiles (Ed) later became U.S. Senator from had been assigned asked me to Manuscript at Yale, died passed away on May 11, 2011. Hawaii. He served as sit in with him, because I had June 24, 2010 at Atria Larson He was 93 years old. Ed was Congressman Matsunaga’s Chief studied Russian for a few weeks Place after a short illness. A born in Macksville, Kansas, on of Staff and Legislative Assistant in Tokyo. We spent more than resident of Branford for over 50 February 7, 1918. He became an from 1963-1966. He then joined two days with him in a cubicle in years, he was the widower of Eagle Scout with Troop 126 in the General Law Division, our Quonset hut, because he had Edith Sue Mensch Hanna. Mr. 1934 and served on the staff of Office of the Solicitor, so much of interest to relate. Hanna, the son of the late the Scouts’ Camp Pawnee for Department of the Interior, as Kozo, from LA, became Archibald and Rachel Knight several summers while in high legal counsel. He retired in friendlier with him than I, Hanna, was born in Worcester, school. He graduated from the January 1998. although we alternated in Massachusetts, September 24, University of Kansas in 1939 Ed visited Japan many times extracting the data he was 1916. and from Yale Law School in with his wife, Yoko, and enjoyed furnishing us. Well into the first He received a B.A. Degree 1942. traveling around Japan, day, I stepped out of our smoke- from Clark University in 1939, particularly local areas. He also filled cubicle for a few minutes and an M.A. Degree from Yale visited many European countries to stretch my legs, and when I in 1946. In 1949 he received an and other Asian countries. He returned, Kozo and he were M.S. Degree from Columbia had great interest in Oriental arts, laughing uncontrollably, at University, and in 1951 a Ph. D. fishing and followed the NFL’s which point Kozo told me their Degree from Yale. He joined the Washington Redskins. conversation during my absence. staff of the Yale University His first marriage with Yuki The Major had said, “that officer Library in 1949, and in 1952 was Hirakawa ended with her death has a hatsuon in Japanese and appointed Research Associate in in 1967, and in 1971 he married Russian, and a knowledge of the Yale History Department in Yoko Aoyagi. Survivors include Manshu, that indicates he must 1960. He retired from the his wife of 40 years, Yoko, and have been raised somewhere in University in 1981. four children from his first Manchuria” …. Kozo assured During World War II he marriage: Jenny Watson of him that I was born and raised in served in the United States Portland, Oregon; Susan Wiles Chicago, and, upon my return to Marine Corps from 1942-1946 as of Keene, New Hampshire; the cubicle, he asked me if I a Japanese Language Officer in Bruce Wiles of Arlington, knew Al Capone, and what it the Central Pacific. He left the Virginia; Greg Wiles of was like to live in a city of service as a First Lieutenant, but Lt. Conover inspecting JLS Honolulu, Hawaii; and eleven gangsters. That broke the ice, remained active in the Marine students - identified also are Ed grandchildren and four great and the three of us became fast Wiles and Bob Hubbell, b&w, Corps Reserve, retiring in 1969 grandchildren. friends for the balance of his 8x10, Pineau 21_05_02_03. Yoko Aoyagi Wiles time in Hario. Somewhat akin to with the rank of Colonel. In June 1961 he was ordained Immediately after he received a [Ed. Note: Ed was in close contact the feeling Mr. Leathers had as a Perpetual Deacon in the law degree in December 1942, with Bill Hudson over the years. We while helping interpret for Episcopal Church, and served in he joined the U.S. Navy, and was regret the loss of Ed Wiles and thank doctors from Manchuria and the that capacity at Trinity Church in sent to the U.S. Naval Japanese the family for designating the USN States, I had the same epiphany JLS/OLS Fund as one of their Branford until 2005. In 1952 he Language School in Boulder, when I was complimented by a Colorado. He was commissioned preferred recipients for donations in Japanese Army linguist that my published his of his memory.] John Buchan, in 1970 his Brief in July 1943 and after further ______phrasing and pronunciation training at the Navy’s Advanced assured him that he knew my History of the Thimble Islands, Reprise on and in 1985 A Mirror for the Intelligence School in New origin just from the way I spoke Nation, a bibliography of early York, he was sent to the Pacific. Leathers Story Japanese and pronounced During World War II, he served Russian names of locales in 20th century American Social In Issue #160, Leathers’ in Guam, Tinian, the Solomon Manchuria. Never again have I Fiction. He was an Honorary comment about the Manchurian Islands and Wake Island; and in felt such unwarranted pride in Trustee of the Yale Library physician for whom he had the Japan following the end of the language study. Associates, and a member of the occasion to interpret on Saipan, war, as an interpreter and Allen H. Meyer American Antiquarian Society, sparked a chuckle on my part. In translator. He was discharged US Army MIS the Club of Odd Volumes, and January 1947, when the Russians from the Navy in Hawaii in 1946 the St. Botolph Club. began to release repatriates from [Ed. Note: This is the first of several with the rank of Lieutenant JG. comments by Allen Meyer, one of our He leaves two sons. Stewart Manchuria, and we were waiting He was proud of being a Navy longtime Army liaisons, readers and B. Hanna, of San Marcos, Texas, in Hario to receive them, we Intelligent Officer, Japanese a supporter of the USN JLS/OLS and James D. Hanna of Warner, encountered a Japanese Army language specialist, and even Archival Project.] New Hampshire; a daughter, Major, fluent in Russian, who ______after 70 years, he was able to Jean Hanna Larson (Jeffry) of had spent the entire War in read Japanese text for six Recent Losses: Hamden, Conn., a brother, Harbin, listening to graders.