Base de Datos de Experiencias Militares de Japoneses Americanos
Kenji "Ken" Uyesugi
Other Countries: New Caledonia; Guam; Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Admiralty Islands; Leyte, Luzon Philippines; Japan (occupation)
Southern Philippines - (Leyte, Luzon, Manila, etc)
Japan (occupation - stayed on Keio University grounds)
Bronze Service Arrowhead with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star
Good Conduct Medal
WW II Victory Medal
Overseas: New Caledonia (forwarding area) acceptable; Marianas (Guam), foxholes, cleansed ourselves often with water in our helmets, K-rations became rather tiresome diet.
Philippines - ate captured rice & canned 'mikans'; traded 'K' rations to natives for eggs and poultry.
Rest area in New Caledonia was pleasant.
Philippines quite primitive, Leyte & central Luzon areas. The Manila area was quite devastated.
When the war began, I was a senior (1st semester of my last term) at the University of Southern California, having been awarded an athletic scholarship. Two brothers and myself served in the U.S. Army.
One brother, 'Tak', was assigned to serve in Europe but broke his leg and never got there. My brother, Masao, was ready to ship out to the Pacific when the war ended. I served in the South Pacific with Division Headquarters, G-2. I was one of the last 'nisei' draftees. The others in the service were Hawaiian-Japanese or volunteers from the internment camps. The majority formed the famed 100th Battalion or the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
I entered the U.S. Army just after Pearl Harbor on January 24, 1942. After my basic training art Camp Joseph T. Robinson, in Arkansas, I was selected for M.I.L.S. (Military Intelligence Language School) in Minnesota. I was one of over 3000 selected for this training. In 1943, I went on furlough to Chicago and married Ruby; also a student a USC, prior to evacuation.
The American public, for the most part, did not know we existed. It was 'hush-hush' because we didn't want the Japanese to know about us. In combat, there were ten of us to each Division (25,000 men). We were presumed to have shortened the war by over two years, and saved the lives of many soldiers, both Japanese and American. At this school we finished a four year course in one year. Many nights we studied in latrines after lights out!
Upon graduation, I was sent to Camp Barnes in Noumea, New Caledonia. From here I went to Guadalcanal to aid the 3rd Marine Division, (on detached service) for the Guam invasion. This was the first American territory to be taken back from Japan. After the conquest, I returned to Camp Barnes.
After the conquest of Leyte, we landed on the beach at Lingayen Gulf. I was assigned to a four man team on one jeep. With me was Sgt Brock, a Filipino scout and another Sergeant. On the Flying Column to Manila, I fired my first shot from my 45 caliber pistol. I was fortunate enough to hit the enemy, but my shell casing got jammed in my gun barrel. Luckily, the Filipino scout finished him off. I did not feel too good about shooting him, but he was an enemy.
We got into Manila about dusk. Then we were pinned down by enemy gun fire by the Far Eastern University. It was here that General Chase received a slight wound to his wrist. On entering Santo Tomas we found thousands of Allied civilians interned there. Also we were informed that about 66 Japanese soldiers were keeping about 150 internees as hostages inside a building. The Japanese commanding officer was Lt. Colonel Toshio Hayashi. This information was obtained through a Japnese civilian/newsman, I had interrogated. Along with Major Lyman Bothwell, of Intelligence, we were able to get our people released. The Troopers tried to get into the building but fear of harming the hostages stopped them. Genral Chase knew he would have to negotiate and selected Lt. Colonel Charles E. Brady for the job. As translator/interrogator for G-2, I was chosen to assist Colonel Brady on this mission.
Colonel Charles Brady's code name was 'Hady Dady'. It was a tense moment for us. Colonel Hayshi was armed as were the soldiers who accompanied him. Colonel Brady and I were unarmed! I explained that there was no escape from the islands and eventually the Japanese would have to surrender or be killed. But Colonel Hayashi was Samurai and would not agree to surrender. He felt confident that as long as he held the hostages, we would not attack the building. After much discussion, the Japanese officer assured us that they would release the hostages, if we let them go free. We complied with this providing they left all their arms (guns, swords, grenades, etc) behind. One soldier was wounded and he wouldn't surrender either. They had to tote him out on a cart. The enemy was escorted out of the compound and to their lines. When they reached the lines, Colonel Hayashi saluted Colonel Brady and took command of his men. As the soldiers marched pass Colonel Brady each one either bowed or saluted. I later learned from General Chase, that uniform remnants, etc of Colonel Hayashi were found near Baguio.
I served with Military Intelligence and was classified Bayonet Expert. I received a Bronze Star Medal for the Leyte Campaign. For Luzon, General Chase recommended me for the Silver Star and a field commission to 2nd Lieutanant. The timing was not too good.
After the capture of Manila, General MacArthur arrived at Santo Tomas. He hugged General Chase and promoted him to a Major General. MacArthur then gave Chase command of the 18th Division. General Chase's code name was P.K. and I thought highly of him. He asked me to go with him, but I was 'frozen' and couldn't transfer out. However, General Chase did return to the First Cavalry as Commander of the Occupation Forces in Japan.
Through Major Goheen, I was given permission to go to Corps HQ. Then I was told to go to G.H.Q. and ask for Colonel Sidney Mashbir. The Colonel was very cordial and amiable. He told me 'Sergeant, go back to your outfit and sit tight'. The Pentagon had requested to order 150 commissions to the Niseis in the South Pacific. This was eventually done but the majority went to the Rear Echelons in Australia. After this, I was stricken with a bad case of malaria and ill for about a month. In the meantime, the war had ended . I became a T-4 Sgt and went with Captain Black, Sgt Boardman and Cpl. Blanchard, to the 1164th Combat Engineers to check out military installations in post war Japan.
I took part in the following campaigns: the Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon and Western Pacific. Medals awarded me are: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal. Upon being discharged I received a Lapel Button, Bronze Star Medal and Bronze Service Arrowhead with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. I received my Honorable Discharge on November 14, 1945. I returned to Costa Mesa and have lived here ever saince. I had been a college student prior to my enlistment and now resumed my education. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1946 and taught Asiatic Studies at USC for a year. I then received a fine position with The Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada in Sales and Management.
My wife, Ruby, became a dentist (she took her State Board in June of 1942, passing as an American-Chinese). Our daughter, Sharyn is now married to a dentist and our son Kevin is also a dentist. We have three wonderful grandchildren. I retired in 1983 and Ruby and I are enjoying life. As a Nisei, I had the extra burden of proving my loyalty to my country. We all had to try a little harder. But my record speaks for itself. I am proud to have been of service to my country.
