Hoeck, Gerald A.

Obtained a Degree in Journalism from the University of Washington.

Gerald A. Hoeck graduated from the Japanese Language School in June 1943. A few graduates opted to go into the Marines, including Hoeck. They were sent to a small place called Green’s Farm outside of Camp Elliott, San Diego. A few months later, Hoeck was assigned to the 4th Marine Division. Because of training, they did not sail until January, 1944. He, along with a few other men, were sent briefly to the Army Language School at Savage, Minnesota for a Japanese refresher period. They rejoined their division in December and saw their first combat at Kwajalein. Howek said, “Kwajalein was a picnic compared to what went on the following June and July when we invaded Saipan and Tinian.” On Saipan, Hoeck “ran the gamut” from talking soldiers out of caves, from trying to stop women and children from jumping off cliffs, from trying to get information from prisoners, to looking for codebooks and important documents.

Before Iwo Jima, Hoeck was approached by Lt. Will Price, if he could have a few cinematographers shoot what the language officers did on Iwo. Little did Hoeck, or anyone, know the “chaotic hell” Iwo Jima would become. After the battle, Hoeck was ordered back to the states to Fort Lee, New Jersey to help write the script for the 30-minute film titled Operation: Prisoners. While Hoeck was in New York, he was asked by CBS radio network to do a nation-wide show about the Japanese language training, what happened to the prisoners, and whether the troops who were about to occupy Japan would be met with resistance and suicide attacks. The show also included Marlene Dietrich, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, and Jerry Colonna, side kick to Bob Hope.

As a result of the show, Hoeck obtained an interview with the head of CBS, Hoeck asked if he could have a job in Tokyo as a correspondent. Since CBS had no transmitters in Japan, and since the war was over, there was no news according to the head of CBS. Five years later the Korean War hit, however Hoeck was in Seattle. Hoeck helped found an advertising agency and spent most of his work years creating advertising and doing public relations for the State of Washington.

Hoeck was pulled out of his retirement to help the Port of Seattle and the trans-Pacific airlines build a tourist promotion program. He worked closely with Japan and made the Pacific Northwest an even more desirable place to visit. He retired for good five years later. He and his late wife, Rosemary Elliott Hoeck, settled in Seattle.

From the guide to the Gerald A. Hoeck Collection, 1942-1946, (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Archives Dept.)