Japanese American Military Experience Database
Roy Gikiu
Gender
Male
Birth date
1920-6-18
Place of birth
Twin Falls ID, U.S.A.
Inducted
1941-6-23, Fort Douglas UT
Enlistment type
Volunteer
Service branch
Army
Service type
War,peacetime
Unit type
Combat
Units served
'I' Co. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Medical Detachment
Station Hospitals in Texas
Station Hospitals in Texas
Military specialty
Surgical Technician and Cast Room Technician in Orthopedic Ward.
Stationed
USA: Illinois, Texas, Mississippi
Other Countries: France; Italy
Other Countries: France; Italy
Separated
Ft. Douglas UT
Unit responsibility
To help wherever needed to bring the war to an end.
Personal responsibility
As a combat aid man, administered first aid to wounded or where needed.
Major battles (if served in a war zone)
North Apennines Campaign
Po Valley Campaign
Rhineland Campaign
Po Valley Campaign
Rhineland Campaign
Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)
Silver Star: Rescued wounded comrade in spite of own wounds during action at Carrara, Italy 4/14/45
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Living conditions
Our living conditions depended on where we were at the time. At the front line, living conditions were not good. In rear area, conditions were fairly good.
Wrote letters for entertainment.
Wrote letters for entertainment.
Most vivid memory of military experience
I will never forget the sound of mortars dropping on us while we were pinned down on a trail that the Germans had zeroed in. When we moved the snipers would shoot at us.
Missed most whilst in the military
Friends and family. Home cooking.
Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?
Ability to adjust to living under many different conditions. Making and meeting new friends seems to be less difficult.
Additional information
I am hoping for better times during 1996. Last year wasn't a good year for me. My wife passed away in May and I had open heart surgery in August. I seem to be recovering fine.
