Gender

Male

Birth date

1924-03-05

Place of birth

Colusa CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1944-07-15, Ft. Logan, Denver CO

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War,peacetime

Unit type

Combat

Units served

Company B, 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
2nd Armored Division, Ft. Hood, TX.

Military specialty

Automatic Rifleman (BAR) 746
Radio Operator 776

Stationed

USA:Ft. Hood, TX
Other Countries:France, Italy

Separated

Ft. Sam Houston TX

Unit responsibility

Combat Infantry.
Company B, 100th Battalion was the 1st Battalion of the 442nd RCT. 442nd was a special infantry unit.

Personal responsibility

I was the BAR man for my squad - which provided automatic firepower.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

North Apennines and Po Valley Campaigns in Italy
Rhineland Campaign in Germany

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Combat Infantryman Badge
EAME Campaign Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars
Good Conduct Medal
Army of Occupation Ribbon
Victory Ribbon

Living conditions

While the war was going on, living conditions were very minimal. You slept whenever you could, usually in a fox hole, in the open or abandoned buildings. Meals were usually K rations or C rations. Occasionally our company support group would bring hot meals to us and it was greatly appreciated. Sometimes when we were in one place for a day or two, we would barter our rations for fresh eggs, vegetables, rice, etc. with local civilians and cook up a meal. Bathing on line was pretty much limited to a foot bath in your helmet. You had to wait until your company was sent back off line before you could enjoy a shower. Entertainment was non-existent.

After the surrender of the German Army in Italy - living conditions were improved. We were bivouced in one place, living in tents with regular hot meals and bathing facilities. Later we were moved into buildings with more comfort and facilities. Entertainment post-war included special events by movie stars - Jinx Falkenburg and Frank Sinatra made special visits to the 442nd. Various sports events were organized - the 442nd RCT fielded teams. Rest and Recreation (R & R) opportunities to various cities and towns were available and I had the opportunity to spend Christmas and New Years in Switzerland. Opportunities to visit places such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Verona, Pisa, Genoa, etc. were most interesting.

Most vivid memory of military experience

When I first met with the 100th Battalion, the unit was bivouaced in Marseille, France where I looked up my brother John's unit - Company C, and talked to his buddies about how he was killed in action just a month or so ago. This was emotional but also comforting to know that he was honored for his sacrifice.

I joined my squad in the middle of the night on the side of a mountain and in the middle of an engagement. My squad sergeant looked at me and said ''you one big guy - you take the BAR'' (the BAR is bigger and heavier than the rifle and you also have to carry a heavier load of ammunition) and at 5'-7'' in the dark I was a big guy.

In my post-war duty, I had the opportunity to go to the University Training Command in Florence, Italy for two months. This was college level courses, taught by qualified teachers in a very modern campus. Courses I took in history, art and architecture influenced me to go into architecture and planning as my career.

Missed most whilst in the military

Family, friends and home.

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

The destruction, death and sadness that war brings to people.

The close friendship and trust that you develop with your fellow soldiers which comes from the experiences you face together.

Additional information

I was in Manzanar from Feb 1942 - March 1943.
Attended University of Denver, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning.
Had a successful 50-year career as an urban planner with the city of Colorado Springs.
Was Deputy Director of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, the principal of Tanaka and Associates and one of the three founders of THK Associates.
wWas actively involved in the First Unitarian Church of Denver, the Balarat Council of the Denver Public Schools and Denver Parks People.