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FRED TERUO SUZUKI
Oct 24, 1929 - Jul 7, 2024
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Service
KOREA
WAR PERIOD
US ARMY,
SFC
SERVICE BRANCH, RANK
Resting Place
950 S SEPULVEDA BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90049
310-268-4675
SECTION A15, ROW A, SITE 53
October 22nd, 2024
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James Newman
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My name is Jim Newman and I live with Merryl Bender next door to the SUZUKI's. Merryl and the SUZUKI's are original owners having been neighbors for 46 years. Sgt. Fred Suzuki used to walk past our house with one of his dogs in the evening and many times we would talk. I miss Fred and those talks. As an Air Force vet. to an Army vet. I wish Sgt. Suzuki "clear sky's, unlimited visibility, and a strong tail wind." You will always be missed and never forgotten...Jim Newman
Published July 29th, 2024
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andrew kim
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Mr. Fred Teruo Suzuki was the father of my best friend (CAPT (ret) Rory Suzuki) and shipmate from my Navy service years (1984-1989). I met Mr. Suzuki in Los Angeles, when our ship (USS Truxtun) was homeported in San Diego.
As an engineer, I could relate to Mr. Suzuki, also an engineer. I was thinking about transitioning to civilian life when I met up with him again, in Alhambra in 1988.
As I was departing naval active-duty service a year later, I asked Mr. Suzuki for some career advice transitioning to civilian life.
Mr. Suzuki was articulate, cerebral, and kind in his listening skills. I shared with him my wish list as I was receiving my DD214 seeking gainful civilian employment. I was thinking of engineering jobs in the defense contractors’ universe strewn about SOCAL.
His advice, after a few minutes of my describing what I was looking for in southern California, was succinct, precise and prescient. Mr. Suzuki was seeing the future clearly and recommended that I avoid employment in the then defense contractors, because they were downsizing en-mass as corporations and consolidating to the top five during the “Peace Dividend” in the next 12 years. Of course, it took 9/11 to reverse this downsizing of the DOD in the 1990s, which changed our world.
It was wise in that he recommended that I get more school. It was prescient in that he saw the end of the cold war in 1989, which was the outcome in the Clinton years of 1990s.
I followed his advice, and I am better off for it.
Thank you, Mr. Suzuki, for the wisdom and clarity of your answer to my life question. I owe you a cup of coffee, when I find you later in Heaven.
Published July 17th, 2024
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Rory Suzuki
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On July 7, 2024 Fred Teruo Suzuki of Walnut California joined his brother, parents, relatives, and friends of the past in heaven.
Born in San Francisco in 1929 he devoted his life to his family and work. Despite enduring a demanding and difficult time as a child and teenager having to overcome the adversity of racial and political animosity of the 1930s and 40s, Dad went on to lead a successful and prosperous life.
A Korean War veteran with the US Army’s First Cavalry Division, Dad returned home as a Sergeant First Class and went on to attend and graduate from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. With the degree he worked diligently and successfully at North American Aviation which became Rockwell International. With the “company” he worked on the F-104 Starfighter Radar, Apollo capsule, integrated circuits, B-1 Lancer, and the Space Transportation System or Space Shuttle.
Though he worked hard he insured he always had time for his family. We would often go on family vacations, camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. After we joined the Boy Scouts of America, he signed on as a committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster and then Scoutmaster. He took great joy and pride that all four of sons earned the Eagle Scout rank and that they graduated from college.
Joining the Scouts permitted him to further enjoy his lifetime penchant of reflection while walking. Over the years he hiked or walked tens of thousands of miles over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, his neighborhood, and other areas around Southern California and the Twin Cities in Minnesota with his dogs, sons, and grandchildren.
At home, Dad spent innumerable number of hours gardening with Mom with his dogs always nearby and on the alert for squirrels and birds.
Though Dad remained a very quiet and humble man, his decades of hard work, integrity, devotion, generosity, gentlemanly and civilized manner, and love for family deserve immense recognition.
He is survived by his wife Atsuko; sons Rory, Jim, Edwin, and Andrew; brother Ro, grandchildren Max, Claire Emiko, and Barrett; his extended family and friends; and his dog and best friend Katsu.
A funeral service will be held on in October at the Los Angeles National Cemetery, the time and date will be posted at the link below. In addition, family, friends, former colleagues may leave notes and photos on the webpage. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/FREDTERUOSUZUKI/a71183
Published July 17th, 2024
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CA
COL(ret) Andy Kim
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Mr. Suzuki was the father of my best friend (CAPT (ret) Rory Suzuki) and shipmate from my Navy service years (1984-1989). I met Mr. Suzuki in Los Angeles, when our ship (USS Truxtun) was homeported in San Diego.
As an engineer, I could relate to Mr. Suzuki, also an engineer. I was thinking about transitioning to civilian life when I met up with him again, in Alhambra in 1988.
As I was departing naval active-duty service a year later, I asked Mr. Suzuki for some career advice transitioning to civilian life.
Mr. Suzuki was articulate, cerebral, and kind in his listening skills. I shared with him my wish list as I was receiving my DD214 seeking gainful civilian employment. I was thinking of engineering jobs in the defense contractors’ universe strewn about SOCAL.
His advice, after a few minutes of my describing what I was looking for in southern California, was succinct, precise and prescient. Mr. Suzuki was seeing the future clearly and recommended that I avoid employment in the then defense contractors, because they were downsizing en-mass as corporations and consolidating to the top five during the “Peace Dividend” in the next 12 years. Of course, it took 9/11 to reverse this downsizing of the DOD in the 1990s, which changed our world.
It was wise in that he recommended that I get more school. It was prescient in that he saw the end of the cold war in 1989, which was the outcome in the Clinton years of 1990s.
I followed his advice, and I am better off for it. Thank you, Mr. Suzuki, for the wisdom and clarity of your answer to my life question. I owe you a cup of coffee, when I find you later in Heaven.
Published July 16th, 2024
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Merryl Bender
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I was Fred Suzuki's neighbor for almost 46 years. In all that time, we never had a "neighboring harsh word." He was the kindest of gentlemen - always a smile and good word. I will always see Fred walking his dog past my house and waving. May his memory be a blessing to his wonderful family and to those of us who were fortunate enough to know him. Thank you for your service, Fred. You will be missed.
Published July 22nd, 2024
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Biography
Fred's life stories
lo
lynne ohara • Researcher
May 19th, 2025
Please click here to view a student eulogy for Suzuki at Los Angeles National Cemetery in 2025: https://youtu.be/fyUZv7T4PFw.
lo
lynne ohara • Researcher
Apr 21st, 2025
Biography
Early Life
On October 29, 1929, Fred Suzuki was born to Sozo and Moto Suzuki in San Francisco, California. The son of immigrant parents from Japan, Fred Suzuki lived a quiet life with his two siblings, Roosevelt and Franklin, first in San Francisco, and later in Delano, California. His childhood was shaped by his Japanese heritage during a time of deep national uncertainty, as the country called into question the loyalty of many Japanese citizens.
Fred Suzuki often visited his father’s restaurant in Delano. Additionally, his mother worked as a cook at the restaurant and, to alleviate financial burden, the family lived alongside two lodgers. They may have lived in the Nihonmachi, or Japanese section of town, which catered to Japanese immigrants who worked in agriculture, railroads, or oil fields.
Fred Suzuki was stranded in Japan during World War II and returned to the United States in 1947. During his time in Japan, he worked with the U.S. military occupation in Utsunogiya, Yochigi Prefecture, as a telephone operator.
Homefront
Japanese Americans returned from incarceration camps to Los Angeles between World War II and the Korean War but continued to face prejudice. Because they had difficulty finding homes, many of them had to seek refuge in crowded camps, trailer parks, and in housing provided by religious groups. Furthermore, White homeowners often protested these camps under the premise of diminished property values. This exemplified how, even after the trauma of incarceration camps, much of the Nisei community still faced adversity.
Additionally, Los Angeles served as a center for military wartime production during World War II that supported efforts in the Pacific theater. This production continued through the Cold War and was largely focused on the aerospace industry. Fifteen out of the 25 major American aerospace companies were located in Southern California. One prominent company, Hughes Aircraft, made further technological advancements in missile and radar technology.
Military Experience
Fred Suzuki enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Worden, Washington, in April 1950, and was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Cavalry Division deployed to South Korea to help defend the Pusan Perimeter.
Fred Suzuki worked alongside Military Intelligence, where he specialized in interrogation, as indicated by his specialty number of “1266.” As an interrogator, he bridged linguistic differences between American troops and North Korean soldiers. Furthermore, his background in Japanese language and culture allowed him to communicate with North Korean POWs due to their previous occupation by the Japanese military in World War II.
During his service, Fred Teruo Suzuki received a Korean Service Medal, a UN Service Medal, and 3 Bronze Service Stars. He was honorably discharged on April 4, 1953.
Veteran Experience
After Fred Suzuki completed his military service, he graduated from the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He then joined North American Aviation/Rockwell International and worked on several notable projects, including the Apollo capsule, B-1 Lancer, and the space shuttle.
When he was not working, he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and later a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. All four of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from college.
Commemoration
On July 7, 2024, Fred Suzuki passed away at the age of 94. He rests at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Suzuki will long be remembered and revered for his loyal service to his country, his contributions to the aerospace industry, and his devotion to his family.
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Bruin Life Yearbook/Southern Campus Yearbook. University of California, Los Angeles. School Yearbooks, 1900–2016. Digital images. https://ancestrylibrary.com.
California. Kern County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestrylibrary.com.
Fred Suzuki. DD-214, Department of the Army. National Archives and Records Administration - St. Louis.
Fred Suzuki. California Birth Index. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://californiabirthindex.org/birth/fred_teruo_suzuki_born_1929_1324795.
“Fred Teruo Suzuki.” Rafu Shimpo [Los Angeles, CA], October 3, 2024. https://rafu.com/2024/10/fred-teruo-suzuki/.
Kaku Akagi Collection. Personal Narrative. 1951. Veterans Legacy Project, Library of Congress (AFC/2001/001/91502). https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.91502/.
“Largest Group of Stranded Nisei Return on Gen. Meigs.” Pacific Citizen [Salt Lake City, UT], December 06, 1947. https://pacificcitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/archives-menu/Vol.025_%2322_Dec_06_1947.pdf.
“Obituary: Sozo Suzuki.” Rafu Shimpo [Los Angeles, CA], April 4, 1970. https://gpa.eastview.com/rafu/newspapers/trs19700404-01.1.3.
Sozo Suzuki. California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1888–1991. Digital images. https://ancestrylibrary.com.
Sozo Suzuki. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918. Digital images. https://ancestrylibrary.com.
Secondary Sources
"Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia." National Air and Space Museum. Accessed March 8, 2025. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/command-module-apollo-11/nasm_A19700102000.
“The Beginning of Hughes Aircraft Company.” Hughes Industrial Historic District. Accessed March 8, 2025. https://www.hugheshistoric.com/hughes-aircraft-company/.
Caldwell, Tim. "70 years ago, Fort Worden finds a new mission." The Leader. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.ptleader.com/stories/70-years-ago-fort-worden-finds-a-new-mission,67889.
Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation, 1988. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/5views/5views.htm.
“Fred Teruo Suzuki.” Find a Grave. Updated September 4, 2024. Accessed October 12, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274350047/fred-teruo-suzuki.
“Fred Teruo Suzuki.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/FREDTERUOSUZUKI/a71183.
“Fresno.” California Japantowns. Accessed April 12, 2025. https://www.californiajapantowns.org/fresno.html.
deGuzman, Jean-Paul. “Japanese American Resettlement in Postwar America: The Los Angeles Experience.” In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. Oxford University Press, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.270.
“Photo Essay: Japanese Americans Return to the West Coast After WWII Incarceration.” Densho. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://densho.org/catalyst/photo-essay-japanese-americans-return-to-the-west-coast-after-wwii-incarceration/.
"Image / North American Aviation, Inc." Calisphere University of California. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://calisphere.org/item/f6e883befef65aa92ac4bd5a63c5ce13/.
Jenks, Hillary. “Bronzeville, Little Tokyo, and the Unstable Geography of Race in Post-World War II Los Angeles.” Southern California Quarterly 93, no. 2 (2011): 201–35. https://doi.org/10.2307/41172572.
“Korean War Veterans Memorial.” National Park Service. Accessed April 7, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/kowa/learn/historyculture/design.htm.
Kumamoto, Akira Olivia. "Solemn monument to Japanese American WWII detainees lists over 125,000 names." NBC Los Angeles, February 19, 2024. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/japanese-american-national-museum-wwii-detainees-monument/3342990/.
“Little Tokyo / Bronzeville, Los Angeles, California.” Densho. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://encyclopedia.densho.org/Little_Tokyo_/_Bronzeville,_Los_Angeles,_California/.
McNaughton, James C. “Nisei Linguists and New Perspectives on the Pacific War: Intelligence, Race, and Continuity.” U.S. Army Center of Military History. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.history.army.mil/html/topics/apam/Nisei.htm.
Miyamoto, Archie. "Remembering the Korean War: Japanese Blood Was Shed in the Defense of South Korea." Japan Forward. Accessed March 8, 2025. https://japan-forward.com/remembering-the-korean-war-japanese-blood-was-shed-in-the-defense-of-south-korea/.
“Photo Archive Korean War.” 1st Cavalry Division Association. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://1cda.org/photo-archives-korean-war/.
Portillo, Meghan. "NCOs Have Been Leaders of Change throughout History of 1st Cavalry Division." NCO Journal, October 15, 2013. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2013/October/10-15-ncos-have-been-leaders-of-change-throughout-history-of-1st-cavalry-division/.
“The Southern California Space Industry.” Hughes Industrial Historic District. Accessed November 11, 2024. https://www.hugheshistoric.com/southern-california-aerospace-industry/.
“UCLA Engineering Milestones.” UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://samueli.ucla.edu/history/.
This profile was researched by Reynold Finnegan and Elijah Gubisch, mentored by Van Nuys High School teacher Ms. Aditi Doshi, as part of a Veterans Legacy Grant Program led by National History Day in the 2024/2025 academic year.
This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
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