Ted Tsukiyama Papers
Collection
Identifier: MANUSCRIPT-M00032
The Ted Tsukiyama Papers have been organized into seven series: 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, Military Intelligence Service (MIS), Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Varsity Victory Volunteers, and Hawaii and World War II. Most of the materials are arranged in alphabetical order by subject headings assigned by Ted Tsukiyama. The majority of the materials were created postwar.
The series “100th Infantry Battalion” includes correspondence, documents, interviews, newsletters, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
The series “442nd Regimental Combat Team” includes correspondence, documents, interviews, speeches, newsletters, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Also included are materials related to the publication of Honor by Fire, the first comprehensive history of Japanese American soldiers in World War II, published in 1994.
The series “522nd Field Artillery Battalion” contains correspondence, documents, scholarly writings, photographs, articles and clippings, interview transcripts, personal accounts, and other materials relating to the wartime activities, history, and personnel of the 522nd FAB and the liberation of Dachau inmates. Also included are materials related to the publication of Fire for Effect, the unit history of the 522nd published in 1998.
The series “Military Intelligence Service” contains materials regarding the wartime service of Richard Sakakida collected by Ted Tsukiyama and others in an effort to secure military honors for his service in the MIS during World War II. The series also contains correspondence, interviews, newsletters, videos, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the MIS and MISLS.
The series “Office of Strategic Services” consists of materials relating to soldiers attached to this office, which was the forerunner of the CIA. The work of Japanese American soldiers and interpreters, and the mission of Detachment 101 in Burma are particularly well represented. The series contains articles (newspaper, magazine, and academic), correspondence, copies of WWII-era photographs and documents, and longer histories of the OSS and especially Detachment 101.
The series “Varsity Victory Volunteers” contains correspondence, documents, scholarly writings, photographs, articles and clippings, and other materials documenting the activities, history, and personnel of the Varsity Victory Volunteers from its formation in 1942 through 2002. Materials are arranged alphabetically according to subject. Most of the materials in this series were originally part of the Hawaii War Records Depository but were transferred into the Japanese American Veterans Collection in June 2005 by the University Archivist.
The series “Hawaii and World War II” includes materials concerning wartime history and politics in Hawaii. Specific topics include: the wartime activities of Chiune Sugihara, the subject of the film Visas for Life; materials relating to the evacuation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; materials relating to the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor; and Ted Tsukiyama’s account of the attack on Pearl Harbor for Lawrence Rodriggs’ book We Remember Pearl Harbor. Most of the materials were generated postwar, but this series does include some wartime documents as well as copies of National Archives records regarding martial law, Japanese Americans, and Hawaii during the war.
Subject files in the various series contain a variety of materials including correspondence, writings, reports, articles and clippings, personal accounts, programs, brochures, notes, and newsletters. Folders with the note, “copies of documents,” contain duplicates from other archival repositories, most notably the National Archives.
The material is largely in good condition. Old paper clips, staples, and rubber bands were removed and replaced with archival quality paper clips. Newspaper clippings were highly acidic; many were photocopied for retention and the originals discarded. Photographs, negatives, oversized materials, and audiovisual materials were removed for separate storage to increase their stability.
Audiovisual, oversized, and photographic material has been placed in boxes at the end of the collection. See container list for contents. Where appropriate, cross-reference sheets have been placed in the relevant folders from which these materials were removed.
The series “100th Infantry Battalion” includes correspondence, documents, interviews, newsletters, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
The series “442nd Regimental Combat Team” includes correspondence, documents, interviews, speeches, newsletters, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Also included are materials related to the publication of Honor by Fire, the first comprehensive history of Japanese American soldiers in World War II, published in 1994.
The series “522nd Field Artillery Battalion” contains correspondence, documents, scholarly writings, photographs, articles and clippings, interview transcripts, personal accounts, and other materials relating to the wartime activities, history, and personnel of the 522nd FAB and the liberation of Dachau inmates. Also included are materials related to the publication of Fire for Effect, the unit history of the 522nd published in 1998.
The series “Military Intelligence Service” contains materials regarding the wartime service of Richard Sakakida collected by Ted Tsukiyama and others in an effort to secure military honors for his service in the MIS during World War II. The series also contains correspondence, interviews, newsletters, videos, articles and clippings, and other materials related to the wartime activities of the MIS and MISLS.
The series “Office of Strategic Services” consists of materials relating to soldiers attached to this office, which was the forerunner of the CIA. The work of Japanese American soldiers and interpreters, and the mission of Detachment 101 in Burma are particularly well represented. The series contains articles (newspaper, magazine, and academic), correspondence, copies of WWII-era photographs and documents, and longer histories of the OSS and especially Detachment 101.
The series “Varsity Victory Volunteers” contains correspondence, documents, scholarly writings, photographs, articles and clippings, and other materials documenting the activities, history, and personnel of the Varsity Victory Volunteers from its formation in 1942 through 2002. Materials are arranged alphabetically according to subject. Most of the materials in this series were originally part of the Hawaii War Records Depository but were transferred into the Japanese American Veterans Collection in June 2005 by the University Archivist.
The series “Hawaii and World War II” includes materials concerning wartime history and politics in Hawaii. Specific topics include: the wartime activities of Chiune Sugihara, the subject of the film Visas for Life; materials relating to the evacuation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; materials relating to the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor; and Ted Tsukiyama’s account of the attack on Pearl Harbor for Lawrence Rodriggs’ book We Remember Pearl Harbor. Most of the materials were generated postwar, but this series does include some wartime documents as well as copies of National Archives records regarding martial law, Japanese Americans, and Hawaii during the war.
Subject files in the various series contain a variety of materials including correspondence, writings, reports, articles and clippings, personal accounts, programs, brochures, notes, and newsletters. Folders with the note, “copies of documents,” contain duplicates from other archival repositories, most notably the National Archives.
The material is largely in good condition. Old paper clips, staples, and rubber bands were removed and replaced with archival quality paper clips. Newspaper clippings were highly acidic; many were photocopied for retention and the originals discarded. Photographs, negatives, oversized materials, and audiovisual materials were removed for separate storage to increase their stability.
Audiovisual, oversized, and photographic material has been placed in boxes at the end of the collection. See container list for contents. Where appropriate, cross-reference sheets have been placed in the relevant folders from which these materials were removed.
Dates
- 1941 - 2005
- Majority of material found within 1942 - 1945
- Majority of material found within 1983 - 2003
Creator
- Tsukiyama, Ted T., 1920- (Person)
Restrictions
None
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in this collection, their descendants, or the repository if copyright has been signed over, as stipulated by United States copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user to determine any copyright restrictions, obtain written permission, and pay any fees necessary for the reproduction or proposed use of the materials.
Literary Rights Notice
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Hawaii Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must be obtained by the researcher.
Extent
24.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
Ted T. Tsukiyama (born 1920-) of Honolulu, Hawaii, was a member of first the Varsity Victory Volunteers, then the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s 522nd Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. Not long after he joined the 442nd he was transferred to the Military Intelligence Service. He was ultimately assigned to the 10th Army Air Force where he did radio intercept work. Following World War II, Tsukiyama received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and then graduated from Yale Law School in 1950. In 1951, Tsukiyama married Fuku Yokoyama and had one daughter and two sons. Beginning in 1952, he worked for four years in the Attorney’s Office of the City and County of Honolulu. In 1956, Tsukiyama joined the law firm of Okumura & Takushi, and then in 1967, he established his own practice, specializing in labor¬-management arbitration. Since the end of the war, Tsukiyama has remained active in the 442nd RCT Veterans Club, the MIS Veterans Club, and the VVV. He has served as the historian for both the 442nd and MIS veterans clubs. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission in Honolulu has also named him a “Living Treasure of Hawaii.”
The collection contains material on the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, Office of Strategic Services, Varsity Victory Volunteers, and Hawaii and World War II. Each series is arranged alphabetically by subject. While some materials are contemporary to World War II (or copies of these documents), the bulk of the collection was generated as a result of Tsukiyama’s research in the 1980s and 1990s. The collection reflects Tsukiyama’s extensive research and activity in the Japanese American community in Hawaii following his service in World War II. The collection contains correspondence as well as writings by Tsukiyama and other researchers including Hung Wai Ching, Lynn Crost, Franklin Odo, Andrew Ono, Richard Sakakida, Bud Smyser, and Ralph Yempuku. The collection also contains clipping files as well as photographs and other audiovisual and oversized materials.
The collection contains material on the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, Office of Strategic Services, Varsity Victory Volunteers, and Hawaii and World War II. Each series is arranged alphabetically by subject. While some materials are contemporary to World War II (or copies of these documents), the bulk of the collection was generated as a result of Tsukiyama’s research in the 1980s and 1990s. The collection reflects Tsukiyama’s extensive research and activity in the Japanese American community in Hawaii following his service in World War II. The collection contains correspondence as well as writings by Tsukiyama and other researchers including Hung Wai Ching, Lynn Crost, Franklin Odo, Andrew Ono, Richard Sakakida, Bud Smyser, and Ralph Yempuku. The collection also contains clipping files as well as photographs and other audiovisual and oversized materials.
Biographical Sketch
Ted T. Tsukiyama (1920-) was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on 13 December 1920 to Seinosuke and Yoshiko Kagawa Tsukiyama. His father Seinosuke Tsukiyama, a 1908 graduate of Keio University came to Hawaii in 1911 to work as a merchant. He and his wife Yoshiko had five children who attended public school and Japanese language school. All five children graduated from college.
Ted Tsukiyama graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939 and attended the University of Hawaii from 1939 until American entered World War II in 1941. As an ROTC member, he was inducted into the Hawaii Territorial Guard following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After all soldiers of Japanese heritage were dismissed from the Hawaii Territorial Guard on 19 January 1942, Tsukiyama joined the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV) on 25 February 1942. The VVV was a volunteer labor unit comprised of 170 former members of the Hawaii Territorial Guard. It was assigned to the 34th Army Engineers at Schofield Barracks to assist in military construction projects.
In February 1943, Tsukiyama volunteered for the newly organized 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He trained with the 442nd RCT’s 522nd Field Artillery Battalion at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, until August 1943, when he was transferred to Military Intelligence School at Camp Savage, Minnesota, and trained in signal intelligence. From March 1944 until the end of the war, he was assigned to the 10th Army Air Force stationed in India and Burma, where he did radio intercept work and translated intercepted communications of the Japanese army air force in Burma.
Following World War II, Tsukiyama received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1947 and then graduated from Yale Law School in 1950. He passed the Hawaii state bar examination in 1950 and then started his professional career as an associate of attorney Masaji Marumoto.
On 17 February 1951, Tsukiyama married Fuku Yokoyama of Salinas, California. The couple had one daughter and two sons.
Beginning in 1952, he worked for four years with the City and County of Honolulu’s Attorney’s Office. In 1956, Tsukiyama joined the law firm of Okumura & Takushi and worked there until he started his own practice in 1967. Tsukiyama began his career in arbitration in 1958, participating in collective bargaining agreements with the sugar and pineapple industries and the ILWU. Since 1959, he has issued over 500 arbitration decisions and participated in over 50 mediation cases. In 1963, he began a lengthy tenure as the Honolulu Port Arbitrator for the ILWU and he has served on numerous panels and committees, including the Hawaii Employment Relations Board, the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Panel, the American Arbitration Association, and the National Academy of Arbitrators.
Since the end of the war, Tsukiyama has remained active in the 442nd RCT Veterans Club, the MIS Veterans Club, and the VVV. He has served as the historian for both the 442nd and MIS veterans clubs, and he has been an active participant in numerous research endeavors, including the 100th/442nd archival research project, the 522nd Field Artillery Dachau research committee, the MIS oral history project, and the “Brothers in Valor” monument committee.
Tsukiyama has also been active in many community organizations, including Harris United Methodist Church, the Japanese Cultural Center, and various local, national, and international Bonsai groups. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission has named him a “Living Treasure of Hawaii.”
Ted Tsukiyama graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939 and attended the University of Hawaii from 1939 until American entered World War II in 1941. As an ROTC member, he was inducted into the Hawaii Territorial Guard following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After all soldiers of Japanese heritage were dismissed from the Hawaii Territorial Guard on 19 January 1942, Tsukiyama joined the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV) on 25 February 1942. The VVV was a volunteer labor unit comprised of 170 former members of the Hawaii Territorial Guard. It was assigned to the 34th Army Engineers at Schofield Barracks to assist in military construction projects.
In February 1943, Tsukiyama volunteered for the newly organized 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He trained with the 442nd RCT’s 522nd Field Artillery Battalion at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, until August 1943, when he was transferred to Military Intelligence School at Camp Savage, Minnesota, and trained in signal intelligence. From March 1944 until the end of the war, he was assigned to the 10th Army Air Force stationed in India and Burma, where he did radio intercept work and translated intercepted communications of the Japanese army air force in Burma.
Following World War II, Tsukiyama received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1947 and then graduated from Yale Law School in 1950. He passed the Hawaii state bar examination in 1950 and then started his professional career as an associate of attorney Masaji Marumoto.
On 17 February 1951, Tsukiyama married Fuku Yokoyama of Salinas, California. The couple had one daughter and two sons.
Beginning in 1952, he worked for four years with the City and County of Honolulu’s Attorney’s Office. In 1956, Tsukiyama joined the law firm of Okumura & Takushi and worked there until he started his own practice in 1967. Tsukiyama began his career in arbitration in 1958, participating in collective bargaining agreements with the sugar and pineapple industries and the ILWU. Since 1959, he has issued over 500 arbitration decisions and participated in over 50 mediation cases. In 1963, he began a lengthy tenure as the Honolulu Port Arbitrator for the ILWU and he has served on numerous panels and committees, including the Hawaii Employment Relations Board, the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Panel, the American Arbitration Association, and the National Academy of Arbitrators.
Since the end of the war, Tsukiyama has remained active in the 442nd RCT Veterans Club, the MIS Veterans Club, and the VVV. He has served as the historian for both the 442nd and MIS veterans clubs, and he has been an active participant in numerous research endeavors, including the 100th/442nd archival research project, the 522nd Field Artillery Dachau research committee, the MIS oral history project, and the “Brothers in Valor” monument committee.
Tsukiyama has also been active in many community organizations, including Harris United Methodist Church, the Japanese Cultural Center, and various local, national, and international Bonsai groups. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission has named him a “Living Treasure of Hawaii.”
Provenance
VVV materials donated by Ted Tsukiyama of Honolulu in 2002 (Accession M 2002:016), and transferred from the Hawaii War Records Depository to the Japanese American Veterans Collection in June 2005. Additional donations made by Ted Tsukiyama in July 2005 (Accession AJA 2005:023), August 2005 (Accession AJA 2005:027), and January 2012 (Accession 2012.100).
- Title
- Ted Tsukiyama Papers Finding Aid
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Laura Capell & Dainan Skeem
- Date
- August 2006; Revised September 2007, March 2012
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries Repository
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