Background image consist of multiple portrait of Nikkei with military experience

Japanese American Military Experience Database

Shigeo “Joe” Takami

Gender

Male

Birth date

1916-9-3

Place of birth

Jacksonville Beach FL, U.S.A.

Inducted

, Camp Blanding

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Units served

MISLS (Graduated Snelling, Dec. 1945)
GHQ Technical Intelligence (Supervisor of Japanese Nationals 450) Detachment 'Utilities Section Chief.'

Military specialty

Military Intelligence
Interperter
Rifle Marksman 160

Stationed

USA: Ft. McClelean, AL; Ft. Snelling, MN; Presidio of Monterey, CA
Other Countries: Japan (Tokyo)

Separated

Camp Stoneman CA

Unit responsibility

Military intelligence.
Translate War document.

Personal responsibility

Charge of utilities, Ogi, Japan.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Was not awarded anything since I got drafted for 2 month when the war was on, but I stayed in during peacetime for 2 years. Just awarded World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal - Japan.

Living conditions

In Japan - ate in messhall (U.S. Army), slept on cot and bathed in shower.

Most vivid memory of military experience

Could take off military uniform and wear Yukata and go dining and go to Geisha houses. They couldn't tell if I was a national or not, unless I spoke (Southern accent).

Missed most whilst in the military

Didn't miss anything, since the service was exciting, since I was raised in Florida (only Japanese) in school to college.

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

To make acquaintance with Japanese fellow man and meet Japanese women. I was the only Japanese in Grammer High School and my alma mater University of Florida, 2/40.