Gender

Male

Birth date

1922-1-16

Place of birth

Kukuihaele HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-3-24, Honolulu HI

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

442nd Regimental Combat Team, 3rd Battalion, HQ Company
MISLS D-7 (Graduated Savage, Feb. 1944)
China-Burma-India Theater, OSS (Detachment 101), Peking, China

Military specialty

Military Intelligence
Japanese language specialist
Radio operator
Combat Infantryman
Parachutist
Engage in guerilla warfare behind the enemy lines.

Stationed

3/25-4/3/1943:Schofield Barracks, HI
4/12-12/29/1943: Camp Shelby, MS, 442nd RCT
12/29/1943: Left Camp Shelby to join OSS
1/3-4/5/1944: Camp McDowell, Naperville, IL
4/6-8/5/1944: Camp Savage, MN, Military Intelligence Language School
8/27-8/31/1944: Newport Beach, CA
9/1-10/14/1944: Catalina Island, CA, Toyan Bay, White Cove and Galligher Beach
10/21-10/25/1944 Miami, FL, jump-off point to China-Burma-India
11/11-11/16/1944 New Delhi, India, OSS HQ
12/1944-4/1945: Taro, Burma, OSS-Detachment 101, Jungle warfare, survival training and learning the Burmese language; Bhamo, Burma, Detachment 101
6/1945: Kunming, China, Detachment 202
11/9-12/5/1945 Calcutta, India to New York, NY

Separated

Honolulu HI

Unit responsibility

. . . to penetrate the enemy lines by flying in a single passenger aircraft or to parachute behind the enemy line, recruiting natives, training them for guerilla warfare. Attacking the Japanese forces' rear, disrupting their frontal defense against the American and Allied forces. Our action involved setting ambushes, cutting the enemy's escape route and disrupting their supply line.

Personal responsibility

1. Stay healthy and alive.
2. To seek Military Intelligence from captured prisoners and documents.
3. Assist the radio operator, send and receive messages in Morse code.
4. Go on patrol. Combat.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Combat assignment, Bhamo, Burma, Detachment 101 - Flew behind the enemy line in a single passenger aircraft (L-1) to join Det 101, 2nd Battalion, consisting of the following: Capt. Dan Mudrinch, James Pruett, Carl Nordseick, Christopher Rubio, Hans (Anglo-Burmese Agent) and 300 Kachin Rangers (Natives). Conducted guerilla warfare behind the enemy lines. Strickened with malaria and dysentery, I was shipped to a field hospital. On my second mission, Doc Edwards (Medic), another chap, whose name I can't recall, and I parachuted behind the enemy line. This was our first chute jump into the jungle despite the fact we did not receive any parachute training.

Kunming, China, Detachment 202 - Travelled the Burma Road in a convoy, arriving Kunming on 06/15/1945. Attended paratrooper school. On 08/17/1945, parachuted into Peiping (Peking and today Beijing) to rescue American as well as Allied prisoners of war. There were just a mere 50 prisoners, including British, Australian and civilian internees. Among the prisoners were 3 Doolittle fliers. Lt Barr's name is the only one I can remember, for he was too weak and ill to be transported out with the rest of the liberated prisoners and civilians. In honor of the liberated prisoners and internees, our group gave them a party. Words of thanks were repeated many times. An Australian soldier told me that 100 or so American soldiers were shipped out to destination unknown about a month before we parachuted into Peiping. Strickened with malaria and yellow jaundice.

Other zones were on the road to Lashio, Burma and many small villages South of Loilem, Northwest of Lashio, Burma.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Good Conduct Medal (442nd RCT, 06/21/1944)
Bronze Star Medal (Det 101, OSS, 05/08/1946 for guerilla warfare in Burma)
Soldier's Medal (01/03/1946 for parachuting into Peiping and rescuing American and Allied prisoners of war)
Special Breast Order Yun-Hui from Nationalist Gov't of Republic of China (03/07/1946 for meritorious service in China. Signed by Pres. Chiang Chund-Cheng)
Bronze Star (2nd)(05/04/1997) Meritorious service in Burma and China
Combat Infantryman Badge
Paratrooper's Wings
Presidential Unit Citation (01/17/1946)(The War Department felt that Det 101 had contributed and compiled an outstanding kill ratio of over 33:1, thereby saving lives and shortening the war)

Living conditions

The saying, 'There's no place like home,' struck me after my flight behind the enemy line. My second mission was a parachute jump behind the enemy line with two other American soldiers, despite the fact that we did not receive any parachute training. The Jumpmaster, kiddingly told us, if our 'chute fail to open, come back and he'll give us a new one.'

Our 2nd bn. consisted of only 5 Americans, one Anglo-Burmese agent and 300 or more Kachin Rangers, (Natives) consequently we were a close-knit family, helping and looking after each other. During the monsoon season we were constantly wet and damp. Because of the wet condition we fell prey to 2 inches long leeches. I was surprised to see the blood suckers consume so much of our blood that they appear to look like mini-sausages. The leeches would emit an anti-coagulant chemical into the sucking wound, therefore even after removal of the pest, one would freely bleed for a spell. One sure way to remove the blood suckers was to apply a burning cigarette to its' head. Mosquitoes and other biting insects were abundant. Strickened with malaria and dysentery, I was sent to a field hospital.

Where did You sleep? We slept in bamboo huts, whenever possible. The Village Chief welcomed us to use their huts, otherwise we slept in the jungle under leanto erected for the night(s). During the muggy nights it was impossible to use our sleeping bags.

Where did you bathe? At times, we took a bath under make shift shower when water was readily available. Whenever we were close to a river or stream, we were able to enjoy a luxurious bath under the soldiers' vigilance. There were many times when we withstood a week of bathless days.

What were meals like? We were thankful for supply of 'C' and 'K' rations which were air dropped with ammo and weapons. Once in a while the Kahcin cooks would slay a water buffalo and prepare curry with lots of chilipeppers. One spoonful of curry followed by a gulp of water was the only way I could eat it. PX rations were occasionally dropped to us in white cotton 'chutes, which invariably failed to blossom. We enjoyed a mixture of toilet articles with candy, cookies, and sometimes a rare birthday cake. Bags of rice and rock salts were dropped without 'chutes (free-fall).

What did you do for entertainment? I was never privileged to see any USO shows. Movie whenever I was back at Home Base HQ. Out in the field, some indulged in card games. Poker or solitaire whenever it was safe.

Most vivid memory of military experience

A. While training with the 442nd RCT, my 1st Sgt. Al Kariya, offered me a 20 point handicap during our weapons firing for record. After 5 days of intensive firing, our scores were posted on HQ Bulletin board. Sgt. Kariya was shocked to learn that I could have given him 20 points and still beat his score. 'Where did you learn to shoot?' he asked. 'I was on the high school rifle team,' I sheepishly replied. In spite of his embarassment, we became good friends.

B. When Detachment 101 of Bhamo, Burma transferred to Kunming, China via the Burma Road, we camped at rest camps. One night we were told not to sleep on the ground or in open vehicles like the jeep, for a man-eating tiger had visited the camp several times during the previous nights. That night, several shots were fired in the dark. A colored soldier parked next to our Land Rover, stuck his head out of his truck and kept yelling, 'Did you get 'em? Did you get 'em?' We were apprehensive and frightened. This was my second encounter with tigers.

C. During meal time on the Burma Road, many hungry Chinese peasants waited patiently for food and scraps we disposed into a large trash can. A lady carrying a baby (about 2 years old), approached me just as I was about to dump my share of food. She was carrying an empty gallon can with hard dried grains of rice stuck on the inside. She was peeling the hard grain of rice to feed her baby. I felt sorry for the lady and her baby, so I gave her my share of scraps to her. When the Chinese peasants observed what I had done they charged, hoping to get their share. I quickly withdrew my side arm and was about to fire into the sky. I nearly started a riot. With this incident deep in my mind, I have always reminded my children that there are many people starving in this world, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. Please do not waste any food.

D. Parachuting into Peiping, China on August 17, 1945, a truck bearing a white flag, with a Japanese Lt. and 7 armed soldiers approached our group of seven Americans. Major Nichols, Lt. Perkins and I were ordered to mount the truck, taking the three of us to his HQ. Major Nichols stated, 'The war is over and we are here to repatriate ours as well as Allied prisoners of war.' The Japanese Lt. said, 'The war is not over.' I politely asked the Lt. if his soldiers would assist us gather our cargo which were scattered all over the airfield. The Lt. gave me a very sarcastic reply, 'Japanese soldiers don't work for Americans.' Reaching his HQ, I asked a Japanese Major, (name ????) if his soldiers would assist us gather the cargo. The Major ordered the Lt. to gather the cargo. When the Lt. and I made eye contact, he gave me an angry and frustrated look. His earlier remark had back-fired. He lost face!(See enclosure 6 referenced in section 20)

E. After my safe return to Hawaii, I was told by friends who were with me at Camp Shelby (442nd RCT)that Frank Kawakami, who was promoted to take over my squad was killed in the European Theater of War. While attempting to disarm a land-mine, he was blown to bits. His body was gathered in small sacks. Learning of this tragedy, Reverend Yamada attempting to get to the site, his jeep ran over a land-mine killing his driver, destroying the jeep and seriously wounding him. It saddened my heart to learn of Frank's horrible death.

Missed most whilst in the military

I missed my Mother, three siblings and my girl friend Irene, whom I married on July 29, 1950. Good home cooking and the beautiful sunshine of Hawaii. There's no place like home.

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

With a question of our loyalty at its lowest peak, other Nisei soldiers and I had to prove that we were without a doubt loyal Americans. Mother even volunteered her time with the Red Cross, making things of comfort for the soldiers. We should never take our inherited liberty for granted and to preserve our freedom with our lives if need be. Prejudice and racism were rampant shortly after Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Base were attacked, but all have changed for the better.

Being of Japanese ancestry, my greatest fear during my missions behind the enemy lines were: 1. Fear of being mistakenly attacked by ours as well as Allied troops. (American with a Japanese face.) 2. Fear of attack by the natives who intensely hated the Japanese soldiers who dominated their country. 3. Fear of being attacked by man-eating tigers. 4. Last, but not least, the enemy. After serving in the jungle of Burma, I was informed that there was a price on my head. Fortunately, our Kachin Rangers were loyal and obedient soldiers, for which I am very grateful.

Additional information

Additional information can be obtained from the following enclosures:(Ask librarian for Dick Hamada's dossier file.)
1. President Harry Truman's letter of thanks.
2. Award of Distinguished Unit Citation.
3. Award of Distinguished Unit Citation.
4. Award of Didstinguished Unit Citation.
5. Time magazine news clipping.
6. Lt. General Takahashi, Chief of Staff of the Japanese North China Area, Letter of request regarding surrender terms, sent by T/5 Nestor Jacot and Sgt. Dick Hamada.

Residence: Honolulu, HI