Roy Matsumoto
Encyclopedia
Roy Hiroshi Matsumoto is a decorated American soldier of World War II
. A Nisei
, Matsumoto was born in Laguna, California
. When he was 8 years old, his parents sent him to live with his grandparents in Hiroshima, Japan. He returned to California nine years later, attending and graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1933. He remained in Long Beach when his parents took his brothers and sisters back to Hiroshima
.
Matsumoto was interned with other Japanese-Americans at the beginning of the Second World War. In 1942, he volunteered for the United States Army
. He would serve as a Japanese-language intelligence specialist with Merrill's Marauders
in the Burma Campaign
during World War II
, earning a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit
.
Matsumoto remained in the Army for 20 years, retiring after a distinguished career in military intelligence as a master sergeant
in 1963. He lives with his wife on San Juan Island, Washington.
In 1993, Matsumoto was inducted in the U.S. Army Rangers Hall Of Fame and four years later was made a member of the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A Nisei
Nisei
During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage...
, Matsumoto was born in Laguna, California
Laguna, California
Laguna is a former census-designated place in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. When he was 8 years old, his parents sent him to live with his grandparents in Hiroshima, Japan. He returned to California nine years later, attending and graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1933. He remained in Long Beach when his parents took his brothers and sisters back to Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
.
Matsumoto was interned with other Japanese-Americans at the beginning of the Second World War. In 1942, he volunteered for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He would serve as a Japanese-language intelligence specialist with Merrill's Marauders
Merrill's Marauders
Merrill’s Marauders or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit , was a United States Army long range penetration special operations unit in the South-East Asian Theater of World War II which fought in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, or CBI...
in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, earning a Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
.
Matsumoto remained in the Army for 20 years, retiring after a distinguished career in military intelligence as a master sergeant
Master Sergeant
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
in 1963. He lives with his wife on San Juan Island, Washington.
In 1993, Matsumoto was inducted in the U.S. Army Rangers Hall Of Fame and four years later was made a member of the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame.