Sexo

Male

Fecha de Nacimiento

1925-4-18

Lugar de Nacimiento

Sacramento CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-7-3, Little Rock AR

Tipo de Alistamiento

Volunteer

Afiliación Militar

Army

Tipo de servicio prestado

War

Tipo de unidad militar

Combat

Unidades a las que sirvió

Co A 100th Infantry Bn, 442nd Combat team.

Especialidad militar

Infantry - rifleman

Asignado

U.S.A., Italy, France

Retirado

Camp Fannin TX

Responsabilidad en la unidad

Go for Broke - Combat

Responsabilidad individual

Scout - radioman, runner. Driver for 100th Bn Co.

Batallas principales (si sirvió en una zona de guerra)

Anzio; Rome-Arno campaign; Battle of Bruyeres - saved 'Lost Battalion'; Po Valley Campaign.

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

Purple Heart; Bronze Star Medal w/OLC; Combat Infantryman Badge; Distinguished Unit Badge w/OLC; Battle of Belvedere - Bruyeres; Bronze Star Medal was awarded for heroic achievement on 22 October 1944 near Biffontaine, France. The patrol of which Private Iwatsuru was a voluntary member was reconnoitering a route of advance for the company when it was attacked by a platoon of enemy troops armed with machine guns and machine pistols. A squad from an assault platoon of the company, moving out to protect the patrol, was subjected to heavy fire which woulded two men and was making the entire area untenable. Private Iwatsuru and the other members of the patrol exposed themselves to divert the enemy fire from the squad, and by placing highly effective fire on the enemy positions enabled it to withdraw safely. This action resulted in 8 enemy casualties, 2 machine guns destroyed and broke up an imminent counter-attack.;The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star Medal was awarded for meritorious service in combat on 5 April 1945 in Italy. PFC Iwatsuru's company was ordered to take and hold 'Hill Georgia'. The assault platoon moved forward under the cover of our artillery but when the supporting rifle fire lifted, intense enemy machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire opened up. PFC Iwatsuru, a radio operator for the CO, followed the leading elements to the summit of 'Hill Georgia'. Selecting a covered position, he attempted to contact the company command post but an intervening hill prevented this. He then move to the exposed summit of the hill, despite exploding enemy shells, and efficiently transmitted messages to the command post. When he accompanied the CO to another platoon area, communications were again blocked. To find a more favorable location, he move thru a field of schu-mines to an exposed height and relayed the vital information. His determination and devotion to duty reflects great credit on the Armed Forces.

Condiciones de Vida

Lived in fox holes, inside buildings when possible,and tents. Bathed only when we got to rest area. C & K rations most of the time - hot meals in rest areas only. Wrote letters, drank & talked for entertainment.

Recuerdo más vívido de la experiencia militar

Anzio - U.S. Ranger Bn. So many wounded and dying after a big battle. White flag went up and both sides agreed to a truce, no shooting or shelling for 1 hour. Medics from both sides went out into no-man's land and treated the wounded, no matter who he was. After 1 hour, flag came down and shooting and shelling started up. More soldiers being wounded, killed, and dying. Hard to believe we saw it happen - Able Co.

Lo que más extraño durante su tiempo en las fuerzas armadas

My parents, family and friends and good food.

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

Good friends. Trust in each other. Good friends and trust is something you can't buy - you earn it.

Información adicional

After war ended - I became Major Fukuda personal driver - He took me to Switzerland, Paris. We drove all over Italy. He was a good officer, leader and a friend. I miss him like a father.