Cary, Otis, May 28 & 30, 1981

Item — Box: 2 of 6

Transcript of interview with Otis Cary, May 28 & 30, 1981

Go to file

Dates

Creation: May 28 & 30, 1981

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public and must be used in the Special Collections reading room. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Collapse All

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Otis Cary (October 20, 1921 - April 14, 2006) was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan, to American missionaries. His childhood was spent in Japan until his family moved to the United States after elementary school, and he attended a high school in Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor, and in 1943, as a lieutenant, he was appointed the position of Executive Officer of the interrogation department. Cary later became a history professor at Doshisha University as a representative of Amherst College. Cary was widely respected for his treatment of the over 4,000 prisoners he interrogated. He was known for becoming friends with the prisoners, and through gaining their trust, he learned valuable information that aided in his role in mending U.S. and Japan relations. In 1987, Cary received Japan's Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class.