Sexo

Male

Birth date

1925-4-18

Local de nascimento

Sacramento CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-7-3, Little Rock AR

Tipo de alistamento

Volunteer

Ramo das Forças Armadas

Army

Tipo de serviço

War

Tipo de Unidade

Combat

Unidades onde serviu

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

Military specialty

Infantry - rifleman

Stationed

U.S.A., Italy, France

Separated

Camp Fannin TX

Unit responsibility

Go for Broke - Combat

Personal responsibility

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

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

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

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

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.

Living conditions

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.

Most vivid memory of military experience

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.

Missed most whilst in the military

My parents, family and friends and good food.

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

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

Additional information

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.