日系アメリカ人兵役体験記録データベース
Mitsusuke "Mitz" Fujimoto
Surgical Technician School, Letterman General Hospital, S.F., CA
Ft. Sheridan Hospital, Ft. Sheridan, IL
Camp Shelby, MS, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Overseas 442nd RCT, Italy, 3rd Bttn. Hdqtrs. Medics
Other Countries: Italy; France; Germany; Switzerland
After this, we were sent back to Italy to mop up Germans who were holed up for sometime in the mountains near Massa and Carrara. We fought them fiercely until they finally started to retreat.
Soon after this campaign, the German Army just about gave up, as we moved quickly northward to Genoa and on to Northern Italy where the Germans finally surrendered - the war in Europe was finally over.
Purple Heart Medal
Good Conduct Medal
A few Presidential Unit Citations
Article from the Grand Rapids, MI Press - Titled 'Jap-Yank Hero Cited' tells of his exploits. 'Parents Here Told of Bravery in France'
Single-handed rescue of a wounded soldier in the face of murderous German fire has brought commendation to the son of a Japanese-American family in Grand Rapids, an Army public relations dispatch disclosed Tuesday. Sgt. Mitsusuke Fujimoto, 27, medical aid man with the 6th Army Group in France, whose heroic action was cited, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kikuhei Fujimoto, employed by Mr. and Mrs. John H. Kinsey, Lake Drive Rd, S.E. The parents and a sister, Carol, were informed of the sergeant's commendation by The Press. The action took place in the 7th Army's drive through the Vosges mountains of northeastern France, while the 442nd Japanese-American combat team was slashing its way through to a lost 'Texas' battalion which had been trapped in the woods near Bruyere. A rifleman was severely wounded and Sgt. Fujimoto went forward with a litter Squad. A few yards from the wounded soldier the party encountered fierce German fire from machine guns, rifles and mortars. Ordering his men to take cover, Sgt. Fujimoto advanced alone. Upon reaching the wounded man, the dispatch from the 6th Army Group headquarters recounted, he decided evacuation was necessary. Dragging the wounded soldier behind him, the sergeant slowly crawled back to his litter squad. After rendering first aid, they evacuated the wounded man to the rear. Before going to France Sgt. Fujimoto served with his unit in Italy along with the 34th division in the allied drive north of Rome and across the Arno river. Born Nov. 19, 1917 at Guadalupe, CA, Sgt. Fujimoto was graduated from Santa Barbara High school. He was drafted in April 1941. A brother, Sgt. John Fujimoto, who enlisted in the army in November, 1942, is serving in Australia. Another brother, Hikaru, is in Detroit.
During combat there were very few chances to bathe. But occasionally, we were given rest periods which allowed us the opportunity to bathe and clean up pretty good. Sometimes we bathed in rivers as we came across them.
During rest periods we'd get some hot meals with rice, but while in combat we had to be content with 'C' rations (canned food) which was lousy.
We didn't have much time for entertainment. Whenever we did have time, we'd usually have a few drinks and talk.
I would like my family and those close to me to know that we were all afraid before going into the battlefront. The anxiety of thinking what could and may happen to us is what causes the fear, but once in actual combat, we became really cool, enabling us to perform our duties in the most efficient and heroic ways.