Sexo

Male

Fecha de Nacimiento

1921-2-10

Lugar de Nacimiento

Gilroy CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1944-8-11, Phoenix AR

Tipo de Alistamiento

Draftee

Afiliación Militar

Army

Tipo de servicio prestado

War

Tipo de unidad militar

Combat

Unidades a las que sirvió

U.S. Army - Armed Forces Western Pacific (from ATIS)

Especialidad militar

Interpreter; Rifleman

Asignado

USA - Camp Blanding, FL; Ft. Snelling, MN; Philippines; Japan

Retirado

Camp Zama, Kanagawa JP

Responsabilidad en la unidad

Part of U.S. Army Military Police Unit which provided security of Luzon Prisoner War Camp.

Responsabilidad individual

Interpreter/interrogator

Reconocimientos, medallas, menciones (individuales o de la unidad)

Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon; Army of Occupation Ribbon - Japan; Meritorious Service Unit Plaque; Philippine Liberation Ribbon; WWII Victory Medal

Condiciones de Vida

In the Philippines - canvas squad tent - outdoor shower - outhouse. Mostly field type meals and not much entertainment except what was provided by the Army Social Service - if time premitted.

Recuerdo más vívido de la experiencia militar

16 weeks of Camp Snelling Language School was inadequate for the work that was required in the field (Philippines). The hate of things Japanese transmitted into personal feeling, thus the Japanese prisoner suffered. Also the U.S. Army leader whom I came into contact with felt that I was very qualified and at one point asked me to translate a 'Sosho' writing which was impossible for me, but as ordered I did translate that diary with 'help' - turned out to be Japanese poems!

Lo que más extraño durante su tiempo en las fuerzas armadas

Japanese food

¿En lo personal, qué obtuvo de su experiencia militar?

That military tells you to do the impossible! Also that my association with the Japanese P.O.W.s saying 'To the victors goes the spoils' was so true. Hate precludes fair and sound judgement.

Información adicional

Because of internment - anger and the way we were treated, blocks out memories. I still do not remember how I travelled from Poston, AR to Ft. Douglas, UT (In reporting for military service.)