Gender

Male

Birth date

1924-4-9

Place of birth

Papaloa HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-3-23, Makawao, Maui HI

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

Anti-tank Co. 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Military specialty

Anti-tank gun crewman.

Stationed

Camp Shelby, MS; Italy; France

Separated

Army Separation Ctr, Oahu HI

Unit responsibility

As a combat team to fight and defeat the German Army.

Personal responsibility

Anti-tank gunner, rifleman, litter bearer, glider troop.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Rome-Arno Campaign; Po Valley Campaign; Southern France Campaign; No. Appennines Campaign; Rhineland Campaign.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Combat Infantryman Badge; Glider Badge for Airborne Invasion of So. France; American Campaign Service Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal; EAME Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal; 517 Pict. Bronze Arrowhead.

Living conditions

In Italy in fox-holes, then in pup tents when resting. In France in fox-holes, animal stable when resting from combat. Bathe in steel helmet, mobile showers. Meals: 'C' rations, 'K' rations, hot meals when resting. For entertainment: volleyball, baseball, movies, play cards, checkers. Our cooks exchanged potato for rice from the 'haole' outfits and gave a treat with 'hot rice'.

Most vivid memory of military experience

Our anti-tank Co. was detached from the 442nd RCT and attached to 517th Airborne outfit for the invasion of Southern France. We trained in gliders to carry our anti-tank 57mm guns. From Italy we flew to Southern France on 'D' Day. The strangeness and apprehension, and suspense of landing behind enemy lines was very tramatic. The landings were chaotic with much confusion. Seeing so many glider accidents and deaths is very vivid in my memories.

Missed most whilst in the military

Mom's cooking, my parents, brothers and sisters. Their letters meant so much to me.

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

I made so many good buddies and will never forget them. I felt that God watched over me through all the dangerous journeys. I will always be grateful to Him for safely bringing my brother and I home. All the combat experiences, the hardships, traumas are worth it. It made me a better man.

Additional information

I grew up in Lahaina, Maui and volunteered from there at age 18 going on to 19. When training in Camp Shelby, Miss. the homesickness was almost unbearable. But because of my friends and my brother Susumu, who was in 'I' Co., I was able to endure and get over my homesick.