Defendant: Hata, Seitaro, Medical officer, Fukuoka POW Camp No. 3, Kyushu,
Japan
Docket No./ Date: 53/ May 1 - 28, 1947, Yokohama, Japan
Charge: Violation of the Laws and Customs of War: 1. Did wilfully and
unlawfully take, misappropriate and convert to his own use Red Cross and
other supplied intended for the use and benefit of PWs. 2. Did wilfully
and unlawfully mistreat, abuse, and torture PWs 3. Did willfully and unlawfully
allow PWs to be beaten by persons under his supervision and control 4.
Did willfully and unlawfully disregard and fail to discharge his duty
as Medical Officer by permitting and authorizing medical corpsmen under
his supervision and control, without medical knowledge or experience to
make decisions requiring expert medical knowledge; by allowing and forcing
sick PWs to operform labor while physically unfit to perform such labor;
by failing and refusing to provide numerous PWs with proper medical treatment
and available medical supplies and medicines.
Specifications: beating using among other things belts, fists, bamboo
sticks, rifle butts; kicking; water torture; burning using cigarettes;
forcing sick PWs to work, refusing to properly treat PWs
Verdict: 25 years CHL
Reviewing Authority's Recommendations: Accused was medical doctor, identified
as "Corn Willie Kid," responsible for the acts alleged. Many
affidavits were presented that accused stole or used supplied intended
for PWs.
Reviewing Authority:
Prosecution Arguments:
Defense Arguments:
Judge Advocate's Recommendations:
