Sexo

Male

Fecha de Nacimiento

1919-07-22

Lugar de Nacimiento

Rocky Ford CO, USA

Inducted

1941-09-20, Ft. McArthur CA

Tipo de Alistamiento

Volunteer

Afiliación Militar

Army

Tipo de servicio prestado

War

Tipo de unidad militar

Combat

Unidades a las que sirvió

41st Div., Ft. Lewis, WA.
442nd Regimental Combat Team, Medical Detachment

Especialidad militar

First Aid man
Medic

Asignado

USA
Other Countries: Italy; France; Germany

Retirado

Ft. Logan CO

Responsabilidad en la unidad

Combat

Responsabilidad individual

First Aid

Batallas principales (si sirvió en una zona de guerra)

Rome-Arno
North Apennines
Po Valley
Rhineland
Rhone Valley
Maritime Alps

Reconocimientos, medallas, menciones (individuales o de la unidad)

Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Service Medal
European African Middle Eastern Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Bronze Star
Combat Medic
Distinguished Unit Citation
Congressional Gold Medal

Condiciones de Vida

In combat, we slept in ditches - slit trench(es). If lucky in empty house or barn. Otherwise, pup tents.
Most times - no bath. When we came off the line, portable showers waited for us.
We got clean clothes. Old ones, we wore for 3 or 4 weeks.
Ate lots of C rations. Sometimes, our brave cooks brought hot food to the front lines. What (a) treat!
My tent-mate and I played pinochle against 2 other fellows. We were ahead about $100 - but one got wounded and the other guy (got) killed.

Recuerdo más vívido de la experiencia militar

We were in hot pursuit after a week of combat - we were tired and thisty - no food or water. Even ammo weren't catching up to us. I found where cattle walked and left hoof tracks 2' deep. Water had accumulated but was the color of tea and mosquito larva(e) kicking around. Carefully I laid my dirty handkerchief over the water and let it sink and scooped up the clean(?) water with my cup and put in my canteen and dropped some iodine in it. First water I had in 2 days!

Lo que más extraño durante su tiempo en las fuerzas armadas

My freedom to go anywhere on my car in the evening - Girl!

¿En lo personal, qué obtuvo de su experiencia militar?

We fought for our rights! We got a record to be proud of! I think we made life easier for all Nikkeis. We are building a monument in Lil' Tokyo. Everyone who fought in WWII should have their names engraved on this monument! Too bad the Japanese Chamber of Commerce or Church Alliance or the Museum didn't step up and offer to build this monument for the 100 - 442nd - MIS veterans.

Información adicional

Owned and worked at a Ben's jewelry store on Sawtelle Blvd. for 30 years. Received the Congressional Gold Medal presented to all WWII Nisei veterans.