Mendota After Hours: Camp Savage and the birth of U.S. Military Language Intelligence: One Soldier’s Story

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About

Most Minnesotans are unaware of the significant role our state played in the early development of U.S. Military Language Intelligence. Camp Savage (once located in the town of Savage, MN) and Fort Snelling secretly trained 6,000 Japanese linguists who accompanied troops in every combat theatre and engaged in every major battle launched against Japanese military forces during WWII. The vast majority of these soldiers were Americans of Japanese descent. The speaker’s father, Walter Tanaka, was in the first class that trained at Camp Savage in 1942. Join Dr. Lucas as she shares his experiences before, during, and after the war as well as photos of Camp Savage from her family’s private collection.

Dr. Karen Lucas is a third generation Japanese American. Originally from California, she graduated medical school in Minnesota and practiced family medicine for over 30 years before retiring from HealthPartners. She is a long-term resident of Apple Valley, MN and currently on the board of the Twin Cities Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and a volunteer on their education committee. She and her family recently self-published a book about her father entitled, When a Tiger Dies: The Life of Walter Tanaka. 

Space is limited, so please register at https://dakotahistory.org/events/1037-may-16-mendota-after-hours-camp-savage-at-sibley. This is being offered as an in-person event, drinks and light refreshments will be served.