2014 / Los Angeles Memorial Day to honor Nisei translator of surrender document, May 26, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
On May 26, a Memorial Day program will be held at the Los Angeles National Cemetery, 950 South Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Yoshito Fujimoto
The event’s special guest is Lt. Yoshito Fujimoto (USA retired).
Fujimoto translated the WWII Surrender Document signed on the USS Missouri by General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff, on behalf of Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, on board USS Missouri, September 2,1945.
Fujimoto was not allowed to be on the USS Missouri for the signing and has never been recognized by the US military for his tremendous historical contribution. Fortunately, at 96 years old, he is in great physical health.
Mr. Yoshito Fujimoto, a member of the Kumamoto Kenjinkai, was a Lieutenant in the Army during WWII. He was initially part of the 442 when he was recruited into the MIS (military intelligence service).
Fujimoto served as the personal translator to Major General Richard J. Marshall who was the assistant to General Douglas MacArthur and went with them when the war ended to assist in meetings with the Japanese government and to prepare for the US military presence in Japan.
Initiative by members of the Los Angeles National Cemetery Support Foundation made it possible for Mr. Fujimoto to be on the program to be honored for his historical role and they have invited the Kumamoto Kenjinkai, Asian Business Association, and the Go For Broke Foundation in Torrance to attend.
For more information about Mr. Fujimoto and for a seat (limited) on a bus that will leave from Maryknoll Catholic Center in Little Tokyo at 9:00 am, please call Tamiko Hirano at (213) 247-8865.
