Family legacy Paul Nobuo Tatsuguchi

peace monument on attu erected japanese government

the japanese government notified taeko of husband s death in august 1943. taeko , 2 daughters survived remainder of war on small widow s pension , relatives. taeko hoped husband still alive , return. after war ended, b. p. hoffman, 1 of tatsuguchi s former college instructors , friend of taeko s, visited in osaka living. hoffman told federal bureau of investigation agent had visited him during war because hoffman s name in tatsuguchi s address book found on attu. agent told story of tatsuguchi s death hoffman, related taeko. taeko accepted husband not coming back.

after war, taeko worked american occupation forces secretary , teacher. in 1954, , 2 daughters, joy , laura, left japan , joined taeko s parents in hawaii. 3 became naturalized citizens of us. joy , laura both attended pacific union college , became nurses. joy later married japanese man , returned japan live. laura married american , moved los angeles area, taeko later joined her. in 2005, taeko told kyodo news of husband, faithful christian doctor , gentleman devoted himself god , communities.

in may 1993, laura traveled attu , spoke @ 50th anniversary commemorative event of battle of attu. in speech @ event, laura stated how ironic father killed in combat against beloved america while in loyal service japanese homeland ... father, have great love japan , america.