Base de Datos de Experiencias Militares de Japoneses Americanos
Yukio "Yuki/Keebo" Kawamoto
Sexo
Male
Fecha de Nacimiento
1919-11-13
Lugar de Nacimiento
Berkeley CA, U.S.A.
Inducted
1942-2-25, Presidio Monterey CA
Tipo de Alistamiento
Draftee
Afiliación Militar
Army
Tipo de servicio prestado
War
Tipo de unidad militar
Support
Unidades a las que sirvió
Basic Inf. Training, Camp Robinson, AR
Finance Detachment, Camp Crowder, MO
MISLS Sec 6 (Graduated Savage, Dec. 1942)
USAFISPA
37th Inf. Div., G-2
Finance Detachment, Camp Crowder, MO
MISLS Sec 6 (Graduated Savage, Dec. 1942)
USAFISPA
37th Inf. Div., G-2
Especialidad militar
Military Intelligence
Intelligence NCO
Intelligence NCO
Asignado
USA: Camp Robinson, AR; Camp Crowder, MO; Camp Savage, MN
Other Countries: New Caledonia, Bouganville; Luzon, Philippines
Other Countries: New Caledonia, Bouganville; Luzon, Philippines
Retirado
Salt Lake City UT
Responsabilidad en la unidad
Served mostly with 37th Inf. Div. Guarded perimeter, Bouganinville
Recapture Manila, Baquio, Luzon in general.
Recapture Manila, Baquio, Luzon in general.
Responsabilidad individual
Served as member of Language Team, G-2, 377th Div. interrogating PWs, translating captured documents; encourage surrender with bull horn, etc.
Batallas principales (si sirvió en una zona de guerra)
2nd battle of Bougainville (3/44 - 5/44); Luzon campaign (Manila, Baguio) 1/9/45 - 5/45.
Reconocimientos, medallas, menciones (individuales o de la unidad)
Good Conduct Medal
Meritorious Unit Emblem
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/2 Battle Stars
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Unit Commendation from Major General Beightler, 2d Battle of Bougainville
Sharpshooter Badge (carbine)
Also Philippine Liberation Medal, Emb. of Phil., 4/94.
Meritorious Unit Emblem
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/2 Battle Stars
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Unit Commendation from Major General Beightler, 2d Battle of Bougainville
Sharpshooter Badge (carbine)
Also Philippine Liberation Medal, Emb. of Phil., 4/94.
Condiciones de Vida
Worst was during the one year period (11/43 - 11/44) on Bougainville. We slept in jungle hammocks (had built-in mosquito netting with zippers and a plastic roof) for 6 months. Last few months we got cots and a tent with dirt floors. Our wash basin was our steel helmuts. We did manage to improvise a shower, however, with a 50 gallon gasoline drum and pipes from the quartermaster. We dug a 15 foot well. Meals were reasonably good (hot) in mess tent with mosquito netting. Had movies (outdoor); again your steel helmut served as your
Recuerdo más vívido de la experiencia militar
While the death stench of rotting bodies in the jungles of Bougainville remain strong in my memory, perhaps the strongest shock I experienced was when some Filipino guerillas drove up to our Division Hqtrs. on the outskirts of Manila on a jeep with a slain Japanese soldier's decapitated head mounted on the hood as an ornament. He was young and handsome; clean shaven with short hair. The guerillas were gleefully enjoying their
Lo que más extraño durante su tiempo en las fuerzas armadas
Family and friends; which most soldiers probably do but the Nisei also faced uncertainty of parents in camps, future, etc.
¿En lo personal, qué obtuvo de su experiencia militar?
That war is hell, to be avoided if at all possible. Having said that - I must add duty to one's country, no matter how trying, such as the Nisei situation in WWII, is imperative. Vietnam was another tough situation.
Información adicional
While my military service ended August 10, 1945, I also served in the Occupation of Japan 5/46 - 9/48 as a civilian at the International Military Tribunal, Far East (Tokyo Trials) with the Defense Division as Asst. Chief of Language Branch. Grade: GS-11.