Banco de Dados da Experiência Militar Nipo-Americana
Yutaka Kochi Yoshida
Rifle Platoon Leader
Other Countries: Italy, France.
Rifle Platoon Leader as 2nd Lt.
German Campaign
North Apennines/Po Valley Campaign
Defense of Maritime Alps (in the German Campaign).
Combat Infantryman Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
Silver Star-July 1944
Bronze Star w/Oak-Leaf Cluster-April 1944
I was wounded in combat in July 1944 and was hospitalized at the 12th General Hospital outside of Rome for approximately six months. I was discharged to join the 442nd RCT in Epinal, France. At Epinal, I found that the RCT had moved to the Maritime Alps so I, along with about two-hundred replacement troops joined the unit in the Maritime Alps. I re-joined Co. H in Sospel, France. I was promoted to Platoon Sergeant under Lt. Bryson Paddock of Austin, Texas.
In the spring (April 1945), the Combat Team was attached to the 92nd Division to attack the Germans in the hills beyond Azzano, Italy. The 2nd Battalion climbed Mt. Caracio and proceeded to attack toward Mt. Belvedere. I was recalled from the hills to attend Officers Training School conducted by the 5th Army near Caserta, Italy. I was commissioned 2nd Lt. on July 14, 1945 and assigned to Co. I of the 3rd Battalion, 442nd.
I was discharged from the service on September 14, 1945.
I then enrolled at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and started medical studies in the fall of 1946.
I graduated in 1950 and spent one year in internship at Queen's Hospital in Honolulu. Subsequently, I became a resident in surgery at the Veterans' Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
I then practiced general surgery from 1955 until 1976 in Honolulu.
My military experience was the most important and most indelible part of my life. I will never forget the men that I served with in the 442nd RCT.