日系アメリカ人兵役体験記録データベース
Minoru Lester "Les" Idemoto
性別
Male
生年月日
1944-9-2
出生地
Tule Lake CA, U.S.A.
入隊した年
, Cleveland OH
入隊のタイプ
Draftee
所属・部署
Army
兵役のタイプ
War
所属部隊のタイプ
Combat
所属部隊
196th Light Infantry Brigade American Calvalry Division
特殊技能
Combat radio communications repair.
最終目標
Ft. Jackson, S.C.; Ft. Benning, Ga.; Ft. Devons, Mass.; Tay Ninh, Vietnam; Chu Lai, Vietnam.
除隊した年
Oakland CA
所属部隊の役割
Occupation and territory security in Tay Ninh; Air field security in Chu Lai.
所属部隊での個人的役割
Radio and communications repair; Radioman for company commander.
主な戦闘(交戦地帯へ従軍した場合)
Iron Triangle
勲章・褒章(個人又は所属部隊)
Combat Infantryman's Badge; Vietnam Service Medals; Unit Citation - Rescue Mission.
生活状況
Vietnam base camp was life in a tent and canvas cot. Field operations was life under a poncho, no bath for the duration of the operation which could be weeks and up to a month. C-rations for 2 to 3 meals a day. Constant life and death awareness. Sleep only in 2 hour intervals every night. No hot water, no running water, no toilets. Mail may take weeks, always out of sequence. Constant frustrations, R&R went to Hong Kong & Tokyo. Didn't have enough money to do anything.
軍隊生活で最も記憶に残っている出来事
I found out what Hell was like. I lived it. I lost a lot of faith in America and what we were doing there, I wish I could say I was proud of what I did there. I am proud that I had the chance to show my belief in this country - not its politicians.
軍隊にいる間、最も懐かしかったもの
My girlfriend and wife; a good hot meal and bath.
個人的に軍隊経験から学んだ最も重要なこと
The military helped me mature faster and gave me the determination to make something of myself, go to school, raise a family, and enjoy life. The military can help many in time of peace and destroy many more in war. To the winner goes the spoils - how true that is.
その他の情報
The American public had no idea what was going on in Vietnam. They were being fed propaganda that was made up at military H.Q.'s and in Washington.