She recognized the name and told me that Masaharu "Fatty" Tsuida was serving as a cook as part of the U.S. occupation forces in Germany in 1946. He received a Soldier's medal for exemplary service as a non-combatant, and a letter from Harry Truman.

A stove had exploded in the mess tent and Tsuida was severely burned while carrying the flaming appliance outside the tent to prevent a major fire.

"He picked it up and threw it outside, saving a lot of people from serious burns--although he himself was severely hurt," Canada said.