CAMP IROQUIOUS
EWA BEACH AREA - WWII
Camp Iroquois was unique as a POW camp with a philosophy of winning the "hearts and minds" of the Japanese.
It helped play a significant classified, secret role in winning the Pacific War.
It helped play a significant classified, secret role in winning the Pacific War.
Additionally, the alumni of the Camp Iroquois project became some of the most important ambassadors, academics and
writers that greatly influenced future American Japanese relations and the establishment of many organizations
developing diplomatic and cultural relationships and a solid mutual defense partnership.
The POW compound area, and building footings remain today
in an area off of North Road and bordered on two sides by the Ewa Beach Golf Club.
writers that greatly influenced future American Japanese relations and the establishment of many organizations
developing diplomatic and cultural relationships and a solid mutual defense partnership.
The POW compound area, and building footings remain today
in an area off of North Road and bordered on two sides by the Ewa Beach Golf Club.
The 1946 schematic map legend lists 40 buildings: Headquarters, BOQ, Recreation, 9 Barracks, Officers Mess,
Enlisted Mess, Store Houses, 3 Interrogation, Dispensary, Food Distribution, 4 Guard Towers, Work Shop,
and most importantly, a Beer Hall.
Enlisted Mess, Store Houses, 3 Interrogation, Dispensary, Food Distribution, 4 Guard Towers, Work Shop,
and most importantly, a Beer Hall.
POW
picked up by
a submarine and
taken to Pearl Harbor
picked up by
a submarine and
taken to Pearl Harbor
Camp Iroquois really should be a part of the telling of the Honouliuli Internment and POW Camp story. Fortunately a lot of the story has actually been saved in great detail by the US Navy Japanese/Oriental
Language School Archival Project, University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries in newsletters called The Interpreter.
Language School Archival Project, University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries in newsletters called The Interpreter.
Otis Cary, 84, who died of pneumonia April 14, 2008 in Oakland,
played a unique role in U.S.-Japan relations during and
after World War II.
He was one of the 1,100 Japanese linguists trained by the Navy
to serve as interrogators, translators and interpreters
after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
played a unique role in U.S.-Japan relations during and
after World War II.
He was one of the 1,100 Japanese linguists trained by the Navy
to serve as interrogators, translators and interpreters
after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Cary spoke to the POWs in colloquial Japanese, even though he was capable of navigating the language's
many levels of politesse. He did this to break down the Japanese military's stiflingly strict rank system
and allow natural leaders to emerge.
Cary refused to rough up prisoners and treated them as his equal.
He always had larger objectives in mind.
Japanese POWs expected tough treatment and were not cowed by harsh handling.
By surrendering they had entered a separate new existence. They had expected torture and beatings
but instead were shown kindness, offered chocolate, cigarettes and
invited to talk about their families and where they came from.
This treatment was so shocking that many Japanese POW's completely opened up
and divulged valuable military information that helped save both American and Japanese lives.
EWA BATTLEFIELD
many levels of politesse. He did this to break down the Japanese military's stiflingly strict rank system
and allow natural leaders to emerge.
Cary refused to rough up prisoners and treated them as his equal.
He always had larger objectives in mind.
Japanese POWs expected tough treatment and were not cowed by harsh handling.
By surrendering they had entered a separate new existence. They had expected torture and beatings
but instead were shown kindness, offered chocolate, cigarettes and
invited to talk about their families and where they came from.
This treatment was so shocking that many Japanese POW's completely opened up
and divulged valuable military information that helped save both American and Japanese lives.
EWA BATTLEFIELD
