Base de Datos de Experiencias Militares de Japoneses Americanos
Tadao "Tad" Iwata
Sexo
Male
Fecha de Nacimiento
1920-02-01
Lugar de Nacimiento
Los Angeles CA, USA
Inducted
1941-10-08, Bellflower CA
Tipo de Alistamiento
Draftee
Afiliación Militar
Army
Tipo de servicio prestado
War
Tipo de unidad militar
Combat/sup
Unidades a las que sirvió
442nd Regimental Combat Team, 522nd Field Artillery, SVC Battalion
Especialidad militar
Infantryman
Parts clerk
Motor pool
Asignado
USA;
Other Countries:Italy; France; Germany
Retirado
Jefferson Barracks MO
Responsabilidad en la unidad
To give 442nd Combat team artillery support
Responsabilidad individual
To supply motor parts to our motor vehicles.
Batallas principales (si sirvió en una zona de guerra)
Rome-Arno
Central Europe
Rhineland
Northern Apennines
Reconocimientos, medallas, menciones (individuales o de la unidad)
No Time Lost Under AW 107 Lapel Button Issued
American Theater Campaign Ribbon
European Africa Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon
American Defense Service Ribbon, 3 overseas service bars
Victory Ribbon
Bronze Star
Good Conduct Medal
Condiciones de Vida
Being in the artillery I had a pretty soft life. Unlike infantrymen I made my bed on top of the parts bins that came attached to my parts truck. I also rigged up a portable stove inside the truck and bathed and cooked rice friends and relatives sent me. Entertainments were very few. U.S.O. contributed a lot. Probably card games were most popular.
Recuerdo más vívido de la experiencia militar
This incident occurred soon after we arrived in Italy. Like a good soldier, I was a working hard inside my parts truck when all of a sudden, all hell let loose. It sounded like several bombs had exploded behind our line. Without hesitation, I laid flat down on my truck bed, not knowing what had happened. I really don't know how long I stayed there but strangely I heard ukuleles and singing from the 100th battalion not very far from our position. Apparently the explosive sound I heard was a firing of our long tom artillery firing from behind our line to the enemy. The 100th men were used to that firing and had not taken it for anything serious. For me, being a novice, I thought my life was at an end.
Lo que más extraño durante su tiempo en las fuerzas armadas
Being away from home for the first time in my life, I missed my parents and all those very close and dear to me the most.
¿En lo personal, qué obtuvo de su experiencia militar?
War is Hell! It's a shame that so many young men must sacrifice their lives. I want my family to understand that U .S. is the greatest country in the world.
Información adicional
Residence:Cypress, CA.
Tad and brothers farmed 28 acres in Buena Park, CA, where they grew chrysanthemums, daises and strawberries until 1973.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).