Satoshi Nagase grew up in Watsonville, California, and attended schools there until he was sent to Japan to live with relatives in Okayama. Having graduated from the Waseda International Institute in early 1938, Nagase continued on to matriculate at the Tokyo 1st Higher Radio School. It was also during this period that he worked at the Domei News Agency as a part-time radio operator. After returning to the United States, he enrolled in an engineering college in San Francisco.
<br><br>Later, Nagase taught Japanese at the 4th Army Intelligence School at the Presidio in San Francisco. Under Executive Order 9066, however, he became a resident of the Poston Detention Center. After a few months of internment, he headed for Camp Savage to become a civilian instructor at the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). Working with Cpt. Kai Rasmussen, Nagase set up a radio station at the school so students could practice interception of Japanese broadcasts. With "Radio Savage," MIS students were well equipped to handle similar work later in New Guinea, the Philippines, India, and Burma.
<br><br>Having completed various teaching positions at Camp Savage, Fort Snelling, and the Presidio of Monterey, Nagase left for his assignment in Japan as part of the G-2 General Headquarters. After completing active service, he remained in Japan to work as a civilian liaison officer from 1953 to 1976. This work involved heavy contact with the Japan Defense Agency, the Prime Minister's Office, and the National Police Agency.
<br><br>Nagase retired from federal service in June 1976.
