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Japanese American Military Experience Database

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Shigeo "Joe" Takami

Gender
Male
Birth date
1916-9-3
Place of birth
Jacksonville Beach FL, U.S.A.
Inducted
, Camp Blanding
Enlistment type
Draftee
Service branch
Army
Service type
War
Units served
MISLS (Graduated Snelling, Dec. 1945)
GHQ Technical Intelligence (Supervisor of Japanese Nationals 450) Detachment 'Utilities Section Chief.'
Military specialty
Military Intelligence
Interperter
Rifle Marksman 160
Stationed
USA: Ft. McClelean, AL; Ft. Snelling, MN; Presidio of Monterey, CA
Other Countries: Japan (Tokyo)
Separated
Camp Stoneman CA
Unit responsibility
Military intelligence.
Translate War document.
Personal responsibility
Charge of utilities, Ogi, Japan.
Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)
Was not awarded anything since I got drafted for 2 month when the war was on, but I stayed in during peacetime for 2 years. Just awarded World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal - Japan.
Living conditions
In Japan - ate in messhall (U.S. Army), slept on cot and bathed in shower.
Most vivid memory of military experience
Could take off military uniform and wear Yukata and go dining and go to Geisha houses. They couldn't tell if I was a national or not, unless I spoke (Southern accent).
Missed most whilst in the military
Didn't miss anything, since the service was exciting, since I was raised in Florida (only Japanese) in school to college.
Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?
To make acquaintance with Japanese fellow man and meet Japanese women. I was the only Japanese in Grammer High School and my alma mater University of Florida, 2/40.
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