Gender

Male

Birth date

1916-7-7

Place of birth

Haiku, Maui HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

, Wailuku, Maui HI

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

100th Battalion

Military specialty

Infantry

Stationed

Wisconsin, Mississippi, Louisiana

Unit responsibility

Heavy machine guns

Personal responsibility

Platoon leader (Sergeant)

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Solerno, Anzio, Monte Casino, Rome Rome-Arno Campaign, Naple-Forgia Campaign Rhineland Campaign, Central Pacific Campaign

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Bronze Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Service
EAE Service Medal
Asiatic Pacific Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal GO3, HQ 133Q Infantry 43
World War II Victory Medal

Living conditions

In Italy, while in combat zones, slept on the ground and didn't bathe for about 2 months. Often times had C ration meals.

Most vivid memory of military experience

First U.S. military personnel to land on European soil - was first person to set foot on the beach at Solerno.

Missed most whilst in the military

Comforts of home. Missed being with family. Home cooked food.

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

That as an American citizen I had fulfilled my duty and obligation to my country.

Additional information

Service history of Arakawa brothers:
James Yuyei Arakawa - Army Engineer Corps in Schofield Barracks and Japan;
Wally Bunsei Arakawa - Army, Served in Guam and Japan;
Atlas Hiroshi Arakawa - Army, Served in Korea and Japan;
Wilfred Hideto Arakawa - Army, Died in Korea.
Service history of sons:
Patrick Toshio Arakawa - Army Paratroop, Served in Vietnam;
Gary Hiromu Arakawa - Navy.