Suetaka Kamezō (尾高亀蔵 ;September 28 , 1884 - August 1, 1953) was born in Saga Prefecture as the second son of farmer Heiji Otani and was adopted by the Suetaka family. He attended Karatsu Junior High School and graduated from the Military Academy (16th class) in October 1904. In November of the same year, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and attached to the 13th Infantry Regiment. After going to war in the Russo-Japanese War, he served in the Army Student Corps and as a company commander in the 13th Infantry Regiment. He graduated from the Army War College (28th class) in November 1916.
He successively served as an instructor at the Army Infantry School, Kanto Logistics Staff, Assistant to the Education Inspectorate , and Education Inspector General's Department, and in August 1923 became the 14th Division Staff Officer. After serving as commander of the 1st tank corps, commander of the Army regular student corps, a trip to England and commander of the 61st infantry regiment he was promoted to major general in August 1932and assigned to the Army Ordnance Headquarters. He served as Tokyo Guard Chief of Staff and Commander of the 2nd Independent Garrison and was promoted to Lieutenant General in April 1936.
While serving as commander of the 19th Division the Changkufeng Incident /Battle of Lake Khasan (29 July – 11 August 1938) https://asiamedals.info/threads/bad...gkufeng-incident-battle-of-lake-khasan.15154/ / occurred and he engaged in a battle with the Soviet Army. He became commander of the newly created 12th Army and was assigned to serve in northern China . He then became commander of the 3rd Army and was responsible for guarding eastern Manchuria. He served as a military councilor and was transferred to the reserve in June 1941.
He served as Vice-Chancellor of Konkuk University in Manchukuo from June 1942 until the end of the war and returned to Japan in September 1946.
He successively served as an instructor at the Army Infantry School, Kanto Logistics Staff, Assistant to the Education Inspectorate , and Education Inspector General's Department, and in August 1923 became the 14th Division Staff Officer. After serving as commander of the 1st tank corps, commander of the Army regular student corps, a trip to England and commander of the 61st infantry regiment he was promoted to major general in August 1932and assigned to the Army Ordnance Headquarters. He served as Tokyo Guard Chief of Staff and Commander of the 2nd Independent Garrison and was promoted to Lieutenant General in April 1936.
While serving as commander of the 19th Division the Changkufeng Incident /Battle of Lake Khasan (29 July – 11 August 1938) https://asiamedals.info/threads/bad...gkufeng-incident-battle-of-lake-khasan.15154/ / occurred and he engaged in a battle with the Soviet Army. He became commander of the newly created 12th Army and was assigned to serve in northern China . He then became commander of the 3rd Army and was responsible for guarding eastern Manchuria. He served as a military councilor and was transferred to the reserve in June 1941.
He served as Vice-Chancellor of Konkuk University in Manchukuo from June 1942 until the end of the war and returned to Japan in September 1946.
Promotions
1927-07-26 Colonel
1932-08-08 Major-General
1936-04-28 Lieutenant-General
Service
1923-08-XX – 1925-05-01 Staff Officer, 14th Division
1925-05-01 – 1927-07-26 Commanding Officer 1st Tank Group
1927-07-26 – 1931-08-01 Commanding Officer Cadets, Military Academy
1931-08-01 – 1932-08-08 Commanding Officer 61st Infantry Regiment
1932-08-08 – 1933-03-18 Attached to the General Staff
1932-08-08 – 1933-03-18 Attached to Main Army Arsenal
1933-03-18 – 1935-08-01 Chief of Staff, Tokyo Defence Command
1935-08-01 – 1937-03-01 Commanding Officer 2nd Independent Garrison Unit
1937-03-01 – 1938-11-09 General Officer Commanding 19th Division [Korea - Manchuria]
1938-11-09 – 1939-09-12 General Officer Commanding 12th Army [China]
1939-09-12 – 1941-03-01 General Officer Commanding 3rd Army [Manchuria]
1941-03-01 – 1941-06-21 Member of the Supreme War Council
1941-06-21 Retired