The True Life Saga Of Kiyohito (Mike) Tsutsui

[HARDCORE]

"Unknown to most, Mike Tsutsui was the only Japanese National captured during the Korean War!"

Mike was born on February 17, 1930, in the southern portion of Japan. At the end of the Second World War, he managed to gain employment at a nearby United States Army Base and quickly rose to the position of "Head of the Kitchen Police for Headquarter's Battery, the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, of the 24th Infantry Division", which was stationed at Camp Hakata, Japan.

When this unit was alerted and sent to Korea in order to attempt to repel a Communist invasion from the North, Mike was asked by the Battery Commander, a 1st Lieutenant by the name of Herman W. Starling, to accompany the unit out into harm's way! Mike immediately said yes to the request, and as such, was issued uniforms, a weapon, and ammunition.

The 63rd FAB departed Japan on July 4, 1950 and arrived in Pusan, South Korea the following day. Not too long after arriving in Country (July 14, 1950 to be exact), Mike Tsutsui and other men from his unit, ended up as Prisoners of War!

Mike was given a rank and serial number, for without it, had the North Koreans found out that he was actually a Japanese civilian, and in Korea illegally, he could have been shot as a spy!

Back in those days, many (if not most) Koreans spoke pretty good Japanese. And this was, of course, because of the 40 years of occupation of their country by the Japanese.

As such, Mike was almost immediately pressed into service as the head interpreter. But this, unfortunately, garnered for him no special treatment as the enemy beat him severely on a daily basis! He would, however, interpret in such a cleaver fashion as to save many American captives who were being interrogated from beatings, and maybe even death at the hands of a brutal foe.

And for the record, Mike engaged in this deception with complete disregard for his own life and safety! As such, he was later awarded the Medal of Freedom with Palm, the highest medal that the United States could bestow on a foreign national at that time!

Mike was finally repatriated on August 17, 1953 and sent home to Japan. He was given no back pay nor benefits, and to add insult to misery, the Japanese government even investigated him because he had, they claimed, left the country illegally!

Some of the officers of the 24th Division who had been held as Prisoners of War, however, arranged to have Mike brought to the United States on a student visa. But even at this, however, life was still very difficult for him, as he had no formal education, especially in the English language. As such, he was forced to drop out of college, and soon came to live with me in Maine. (I had been a POW with Mike.)

Even with this short reprieve, however, Mike would soon have to return to Japan because his visa was going to expire shortly. He could not, unfortunately, enlist in the United States Army, but could volunteer for the draft, and this he did!

After his training, he was stationed in Yokohama, and it was while he was here, that he was awarded the coveted Medal of Freedom!

As a matter of fact, Senator Barry Goldwater himself became interested in Mike's case and had him transferred to Arizona.

The Senator himself sponsored Mike Tsutsui for citizenship through a private bill that he introduced before Congress. As such, Mike finally became an American Citizen and would go on to serve his new nation for 20 years. "He even did a tour in Viet Nam!"

After his retirement from the military, Mike Tsutsui went on to work for the government at Camp Zama Japan. And when he finally did retire altogether, he dedicated himself to taking care of his aged mother in Tokushima Japan.

In all, Mike was awarded 14 medals - the Medal of Freedom with Palm, a Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, 6 Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal with four Bronze Campaign Stars, the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal with "60" Device, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

For many years now, however, the friends of Mike Tsutsui have attempted to attain military credit for his time as a POW. Unfortunately, however, all efforts failed. The Department of the Army claimed that such an action would set a precedent for others in the same circumstances? "But this is not possible, as Mike Tsutsui would be the only one ever so affected!"

Mike is, and always has been a fighter, and a fighter never gives up! And this particular quest was a noble attempt to get this gentleman the credit that he was due for his time as a POW in Korea, even though technically, he was not in our Army!

Well this story has a fairly happy ending, as on July 29, 2005, the
Department of the Army (Office of the Assistant Secretary Manpower and Reserve Affairs), issued a Memorandum for the U.S. Army Review Board's - Agency Support Division in St. Louis! To make a long story short, Mike Tsutsui's case was finally approved!

Mike's time as a civilian internee from 14 July 1950, to 17 August 1953, is now being considered as active Federal service, and he will finally be compensated accordingly! And as such, his retirement record will be amended to show and additional 3 years, 1 month, and 4 days. His retired pay will also be recalculated to reflect the addition 37 months, and he will be paid retroactively to 30 October 1975.

There is even more to this story, however, as Mike is now even entitled to the POW Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation for his dedicated service in Korea.

He can also now apply for a Korean Service Medal, as well as a Purple Heart Medal, based upon the many brutal beatings that he endured while a POW!

Because of his loyalty to the United States, as well as his dedication for his fellow Prisoners of War, Mike can now also be recommended for a Silver Star, or perhaps even the DSC. He is also now able to file a claim with the VA for disabilities related to his time as a POW.

Written by:

Shorty Estabrook
Founder of the Tiger Survivors
POW Korea for 37 Months 13 days

[Jerry D]

Amen, and God Bless Mike Tsutsui for his dedicated service to his Adopted Country and especially his perseverance !