Gender

Male

Birth date

1921-11-17

Place of birth

Honohina HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-3-25, Kaneohe HI

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

WW II:
442nd Regimental Combat Team
171st Infantry Battalion (Separate) Public Health & Welfare Section, GHQ, Tokyo, Japan
Korean War:
Hawaiian Infantry Training Center; 38th Regiment, 2nd U.S. Division, 1st Cavalry Division

Military specialty

Infantry Leader
Military Intelligence
Interpreter/translator
Intelligence Officer
Civil Affairs Officer

Stationed

U.S.A.; Japan; Korea; Thailand

Separated

Honolulu HI

Unit responsibility

Various

Personal responsibility

Basic training officer
Interpreter/translator/intelligence officer

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

2nd Infantry Division CIC in Korea in 1953

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Bronze Star
Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Ribbon
Asia-Pacific Campaign Ribbon
Army of Occupation Medal - Japan
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Ribbon
Korean Campaign Ribbon
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman's Badge
United Nations Campaign Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Most vivid memory of military experience

One memorable moment that I consider to be a rare privilege occurred when Emperor Hirohito made his first visit to Hokkaido since the War. Only the Governor, the Mayor of Sapporo, our Commanding General and, of course, myself were allowed on the platform at the railroad station to greet the Emperor. It was so gratifying to think that my only qualification to be so privileged was my meager knowledge of the Japanese language.

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

The most delightful and satisfying monments of my military career started with my assignment as S-5, Civil Affairs Officer, in Camp Younghans, Yamagata Prefecture, and Camp Schimmelpfennig, Sendai City.

For nearly two and a half years I was charged with the responsibility of promoting and maintaining goodwill and friendship between the Japanese and the US Military in that region. I am in possession of many citations from Governors and Mayors of cities, towns, and villages to attest to the wonderful relations we experienced. It was accomplished primarily by providing both material and mechanical assistance in their community projects especially in preparation of new school sites for their bulging school population. My principal tool was the over-worked bulldozer, something that was still nonexistent in Japan at that time. In aiding the school children we gained the trust and friendship of the parents.