This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, telegrams, scripts, transcripts, legal documents, legal instruments, summaries, clippings, press releases, military orders, and other records. The materials relate to charges of treason against Iva Toguri d'Aquino, a.k.a. Tokyo Rose. She was charged with treason because of broadcasts she made for Japan on the radio show Zero Hour during World War II.
Most of the records relate to the investigations and trial which culminated in d'Aquino's conviction. These include records created during an earlier U.S. Army investigation, and records created by and for the court during the trial. Topics include discussions of the legal issues involved, including whether or not she committed a treasonable offense, where to hold a trial, and how to bring her back to the U.S.; attempts to locate recordings or transcripts of her broadcasts; attempts to locate and interview witnesses who saw or heard her broadcasts; the background and testimony of witnesses; and comments from members of the public about d'Aquino and the trial.
The series also includes records relating to d'Aquino's unsuccessful appeals of her conviction, her request for executive clemency, the government's abortive attempt to deport her after her release from prison, and the government's belated attempt to collect the $10,000 fine imposed when she was convicted.
Also included in the series are records relating to Wallace Ellwell Ince, John David Provoo, and Mark Lewis Streeter, who were investigated for treason at the same time as d'Aquino; records alleging that a witness lied before the grand jury that indicted d'Aquino; records alleging that an alternate juror improperly tried to influence other jurors; records concerning the immigration status of two government witnesses after the trial; a briefing of the d'Aquino case provided to columnist Walter Winchell; and a U.S. Navy press release noting the award of a citation to Tokyo Rose for contributing to the morale of U.S. armed services in the Pacific.
