Gender

Male

Birth date

1920-6-12

Place of birth

Modesto CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1941-12-1, Presidio of Monterey CA

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

Station Hospital Fort Custer, MI
Medical Detachment. 71st Inf Reg, 441st Inf. Division
ASTP, U of Denver, Denver, CO

Military specialty

Laboratory Technologist
Surgical technician
Combat Medic

Stationed

USA: California; Illinois; Michigan; Wisconsin; Colorado; Lousiana; Kansas
Other Countries: France; Germany; Austria

Separated

Ft. Logan CO

Unit responsibility

To defeat the enemy in France, Germany & Austria.

Personal responsibility

To give first aid, emergency treatment to the wounded under fire.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

3 Bronze Stars
Presidential Unit Citation
American Defense Service Medal
American Service Medal
European African Middle Eastern Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Army of Occupation Medal

Living conditions

Living conditions in the States were no better or worse than for other G.I.s. However in Europe, during combat - living conditions were very difficult. I served in combat from October of 1944 to May 6 of 1945. We went from France through Southern Germany and into Austria when the war ended. It was very cold, wet and dirty. No showers, baths, toilets. We had to keep ourselves as clean as possible.

Most vivid memory of military experience

The German people wondered why a Japanese was fighting with the American Army. I told them I was born an American. I believe that we Japanese American soldiers (Niseis) proved to our American buddies and leaders that we were as loyal and brave as they were. I'm glad today that I served my country during WW II.

Missed most whilst in the military

Being in all Caucasian units, I missed Japanese foods all during my 4 years of service.

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

Ability to get along with Caucasians to be able to give orders and to take orders. I believe those experiences aided me greatly in civilian life, being self-employed and running a business.

Additional information

I attended 50th anniversary reunion of my 71st Infantry Regt. (44th Inf. Div) in Cincinnati, Ohio - Aug '94. It was good to see my buddies after 50 years of separation. Exactly 50 years ago we were very deeply in combat in the Voges area of Eastern France near the German border. The weather was below 0 and the area was covered with snow.