Masayoshi “Mas” Tsuida
October 21, 1919 – January 31, 2021
Masayoshi “Mas” Tsuida, 100/442 RCT veteran of World War II, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2021 at the age of 101 at his home in San Diego.
Mas is survived by his wife Grace Kaminaka Tsuida, son Glenn Tsuida, daughter-in-law Carolyn Tsuida, son-in-law Arnie Moorin, four grandchildren: Angela Tsuida, Lisa (Billy) Womack, Kacie Tsuida, Kalena Tsuida and three great-grandchildren: Carina, Dominic and Jaxson Womack. Mas was predeceased by his son Mark (Carolyn), daughter Nadine (Arnie) Moorin, and four siblings: Masaharu “Fatty” Tsuida, Masako Matsuhara, Hideko “Bubbles” Shimasaki and Kiyo “Parker” Uda.
Despite the U.S. Government’s incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII, Mas served in the U.S. Army with distinction while his wife and family were imprisoned at Poston, AZ. A veteran of the all-Japanese American infantry, 100th/442nd RCT, Company C, Mas received numerous military honors including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In 2011, the 100/442 RCT veterans received the Congressional Gold Medal and in 2014, Mas and other WWII veterans were presented France’s Legion of Honor medal.
Life-long resident of San Diego, CA, Mas attended San Diego High School where he was an admitted ruffian. After the war he became a navigator and skipper in San Diego’s commercial fishing industry where he had many Italian and Portuguese friends. After retirement, his favorite pastimes included reading Western novels and watching sports on TV. He was a huge Chargers’ fan. But, he was most happy when he won jackpots on the slot machines at local casinos!
Although Mas lived with wartime shrapnel in his leg, he had a positive attitude and exuded warmth and caring his entire life. He is greatly missed!