Banco de Dados da Experiência Militar Nipo-Americana
Susumu "Sus" Satow
Sexo
Male
Birth date
1923-5-25
Local de nascimento
Mayhew(Sacramento) CA, USA
Inducted
1943-7-29, Ft. Douglas UT
Tipo de alistamento
Volunteer
Ramo das Forças Armadas
Army
Tipo de serviço
War
Tipo de Unidade
Combat
Unidades onde serviu
442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company D and H. (Trained with D Co. but was transfered to H Co.just prior to the RCT's shipment out of the US in May of 1944.)
Military specialty
Communications (wire) man, 81 mm. Mortar Section of Infantry Heavy Weapons Company.
Stationed
USA: Ft. Douglas,UT; Camp Shelby, MS
Italy; France.
Italy; France.
Separated
Camp Beale CA
Unit responsibility
Heavy (81 mm.) mortar fire support to forward infantry rifle companies.
Personal responsibility
Maintaining communication wiring between the mortar squad's forward observer (usually the Section Leader, a Staff Sergeant, in charge of two squads) and the mortar squad leader directing fire from his gun to the locations identified by the forward observer. At times, enemy fire would cut this wiring in which case, it was my job to make repairs as needed. My usual equipment included a reel of wire, wire-cutters, etc., in addition to my personal weapon.
Major battles (if served in a war zone)
Every campaign in which the 442nd RCT was a participant from June 26, 1944 to the German surrender and V-E Day in Europe. North Appennines, Po Valley, Rhineland (France), Rome Arno.
Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)
Bronze Star
Good Conduct Medal
Purple Heart
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
various campaign medals
Bronze Star
World War II Victory medal
Good Conduct Medal
Purple Heart
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
various campaign medals
Bronze Star
World War II Victory medal
Living conditions
Combat condition, sleeping in the rain and snow. Bathe when you can. Eat hot meal when kitchen crew can get to us safely. Otherwise K and C rations. Improvise, using our helmets as pots. Haircut and shave during R & R(Rest and Relaxation).
At Camp Shelby, MS, the entire 442nd RCT was housed in a series of tar-paper and pine board structures, referred to as 'hutments', each about 15 to 16-feet wide and long enough to house about the same number of men. 'Windows' were a continuous band of openings along each wall (3 to 4-feet high), covered only with screening (no glass). To keep out the weather, a series of wooden panels hinged at the top was provided, each propped-up in the 'open' position by a strut hinged to the exterior wall. During inclement weather, the men learned to 'undo' these struts without going outside (and getting wet), by bumping the walls with their fist or rifle butts, just enough to cause the walls to deflect slightly. This caused the panels to rise just a fraction of an inch, which in turn caused these retaining struts to fall by gravity and when this happened, the solid panels closed 'shut.'
At Camp Shelby, MS, the entire 442nd RCT was housed in a series of tar-paper and pine board structures, referred to as 'hutments', each about 15 to 16-feet wide and long enough to house about the same number of men. 'Windows' were a continuous band of openings along each wall (3 to 4-feet high), covered only with screening (no glass). To keep out the weather, a series of wooden panels hinged at the top was provided, each propped-up in the 'open' position by a strut hinged to the exterior wall. During inclement weather, the men learned to 'undo' these struts without going outside (and getting wet), by bumping the walls with their fist or rifle butts, just enough to cause the walls to deflect slightly. This caused the panels to rise just a fraction of an inch, which in turn caused these retaining struts to fall by gravity and when this happened, the solid panels closed 'shut.'
Most vivid memory of military experience
One of many: After fighting our way across the Cecina River (Italy), we came across Hill 140. About three days (July 3rd through the 5th) of fierce fighting erupted. During that encounter, our 81 mm. mortar platoon fired over 1200 rounds. The barrel became red hot. When we first established our gun position, we were harassed by enemy sniper fire. We reasoned that if we allowed the sniper to continue firing, soon or later one of us would get hit. 'Blah' Yoshida, and another person (whose name I can't recall), and I decided to go after him. The area was full of mesquite shrubs. When I was behind one of the shrubs, a burst of shots from a 'burp' gun broke the limbs in front of me. I swear the limbs on both sides of me broke, but I saw where the shots came from. I threw a hand-grenade. It landed on top of a wood pile and bounced off. A muffled explosion followed. We had no second grenade. We waited a long time before we dared to move. But the enemy had apparently moved away. We looked for signs that he may be wounded, such as blood, but found nothing. He probably took off because we were coming after him. The good news was that we no longer were harassed by sniper fire.
ANOTHER hair-raising experience occurred in the forest in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle for Bruyeres when we suddenly lost telephone contact with Lt.Gleicher. Sgt. 'Sloppy' Koizumi thought that we needed to get the wire fixed. I followed the telephone line into the forest (I never understood why his nickname was 'Sloppy' because he was such a meticulous person). As I was moving forward, I came across about eight Caucasian GI's. I told them they were out of their area. The Lt. who was leading the patrol, replied that they wanted to make sure their left flank was secure. I assured them that it was. They departed, disappearing into the forest. I had my Thompson (sub-machine gun) on the ready with two loaded magazines. As I moved on, I came across the broken wire. Normally, I would examine it to see how it was broken, but it was getting dark, and I needed to hurry. Contact was made on both ends. In reviewing the encounter, no American unit was supposed to be on our right side or left. I wondered how close a shave I might have been in. I thought it's a good thing I'm dumb. Otherwise I might have suspected something, panicked and taken drastic action and be dead! As for the patrol, they probably did not want any casualties deep inside unfriendly territory. The better discretion was to walk away.
Another close encounter that I can recall vividly happened during the Rome/Arno campaign. Sgt. Koizumi got us together one night to inform us that our machine gun platoon was short on supplies and we need to resupply them. About eight of us took part in the re-supply effort. I carried a canister of machine-gun ammunition and some K-ration. We were instructed to cross an open field, go through a fence, onto a dirt road, turn left until we reached a fork in the road, take the right leg of the 'Y' and after a couple hundred yards our machine gunners should be present. Our trouble began almost immediately. In the darkness of the night, we had no reference to direct us. Unknowingly, we veered to the left. We finally came to the fence. We got to the road and took a left turn. Because we had veered so far to the left we would never reach the fork. As we were walking, I began to wonder why it was taking so long. A person named Sato, who was in my Section, was the lead man. I was second, followed by Bonesy Yanagimachi, Joe Shinsato and the rest. We finally came upon some soldiers sleeping on the side of the road. Our lead man, Sato, made a 90- degree turn to the right, went up a slope and approached a soldier sitting on a log. Sato suddenly made an about-face, came towards me with his finger across his lips, indicating silenece and motioned me to go back. I immediately complied and motioned the rest to go back.Once we were a safe distance away, Sato stuttered, 'the silhouette had the shape of a German helmet on his head'. That was a close call. I was glad I was not the lead person because I probably would have blurted something stupid and alerted the sentry. We finally completed our mission after re-orienting ourselves.
ANOTHER hair-raising experience occurred in the forest in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle for Bruyeres when we suddenly lost telephone contact with Lt.Gleicher. Sgt. 'Sloppy' Koizumi thought that we needed to get the wire fixed. I followed the telephone line into the forest (I never understood why his nickname was 'Sloppy' because he was such a meticulous person). As I was moving forward, I came across about eight Caucasian GI's. I told them they were out of their area. The Lt. who was leading the patrol, replied that they wanted to make sure their left flank was secure. I assured them that it was. They departed, disappearing into the forest. I had my Thompson (sub-machine gun) on the ready with two loaded magazines. As I moved on, I came across the broken wire. Normally, I would examine it to see how it was broken, but it was getting dark, and I needed to hurry. Contact was made on both ends. In reviewing the encounter, no American unit was supposed to be on our right side or left. I wondered how close a shave I might have been in. I thought it's a good thing I'm dumb. Otherwise I might have suspected something, panicked and taken drastic action and be dead! As for the patrol, they probably did not want any casualties deep inside unfriendly territory. The better discretion was to walk away.
Another close encounter that I can recall vividly happened during the Rome/Arno campaign. Sgt. Koizumi got us together one night to inform us that our machine gun platoon was short on supplies and we need to resupply them. About eight of us took part in the re-supply effort. I carried a canister of machine-gun ammunition and some K-ration. We were instructed to cross an open field, go through a fence, onto a dirt road, turn left until we reached a fork in the road, take the right leg of the 'Y' and after a couple hundred yards our machine gunners should be present. Our trouble began almost immediately. In the darkness of the night, we had no reference to direct us. Unknowingly, we veered to the left. We finally came to the fence. We got to the road and took a left turn. Because we had veered so far to the left we would never reach the fork. As we were walking, I began to wonder why it was taking so long. A person named Sato, who was in my Section, was the lead man. I was second, followed by Bonesy Yanagimachi, Joe Shinsato and the rest. We finally came upon some soldiers sleeping on the side of the road. Our lead man, Sato, made a 90- degree turn to the right, went up a slope and approached a soldier sitting on a log. Sato suddenly made an about-face, came towards me with his finger across his lips, indicating silenece and motioned me to go back. I immediately complied and motioned the rest to go back.Once we were a safe distance away, Sato stuttered, 'the silhouette had the shape of a German helmet on his head'. That was a close call. I was glad I was not the lead person because I probably would have blurted something stupid and alerted the sentry. We finally completed our mission after re-orienting ourselves.
Missed most whilst in the military
I am not the type of person who laments over what I may be missing because I am in the military. I always try to do the best in any given situation and not worry about the negatives. While in the military, I made many good friends.
Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?
During the January/February period of 1943, there was much agitation in the internment camps concerning loyalty and service to US. Indeed there were some that expressed their loyalty to Japan. Lost in the fervor and hysteria of the time was the reality that the Niseis had no other country to live in. The American public opinion at that time was that JA's were part of the enemy system. That is why JA's were classified 4C - Enemy Alien. Many of us felt that that perception had to be changed. The first step was when the National JACL sent a petition to President Roosevelt asking that JA's be allowed to serve in the US Armed Forces. He responded with a statement, 'Americanism is a matter of mind and heart, never has been or never will be a matter of race or national origin' and with that, the formation of the 442nd JA RCT was announced. We welcomed that. Volunteers came from the ten internment camps, the rest of the US, and the greatest number coming from the Territory of Hawaii. We had special reason to volunteer. George Saito said it best when he stated, 'With the sacrifices that have been made and are yet to be made, this will allow the JA's to go back to their homes along the West coast with dignity and pride and someday join the mainstream of American life.' Unfortuntely, he and his brother Calvin were both killed in action. The most important thing that resulted from the Nisei soldier's accomplishments is that we are indeed today in the mainstream of American life. Had we followed the examples of the 'No-No boys' and the '300 draft resisters', just imagine what our status would be today. The Nisei era has been remarkable. They served to prove JA's loyalty to America. They fought with uncommon valor, and delivered the JA to where we are today. Tom Brokaw authored a book entitled 'The Greatest Generation' in describing the young Americans of WW II.In this book, he profiles three JA's; Senator Daniel Inouye, Congressman Norm Mineta and Assemblyman Nao Takasugi. My opinion is that the entire Nisei population can be singled out as the 'Greatest Generation'. I am proud of that. I would like present and future generations to recognize and be proud of that legacy. I am sure that knowledge will help them as they seek their own identity. Writing about your personal experiences, establishing a Japanese American National Museum or building a monument will help to perpetuate this story. It is not about self-glorification or aggrandizement as some have charged.
Additional information
See file for additional information and 'war stories'. Ask the librarian at the Resource Center for the file.
His experience during WW II and after led him to devote much of his later life to the preservation of the history of that time. As a veteran of the US Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team, he was an active member of VFW Post 8985, and served on the Board of Directors of the 100thy-442nd-MIS WW II Memorial Foundation to build the Nisei veterans Go For Broke Monument in Los Angeles, and he also helped establish the Japanese American Archival Collection at CSU-Sacramento.
A part of his story was documented in the 2007 Ken Burns series "The War" and in 2011 Sus was honored to receive, along with his comrades-in-arms, the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his service to this country.
