Sexo

Male

Birth date

1925-1-26

Local de nascimento

Waialua, Oahu HI, U.S.A.

Inducted

1945-3-15, Schofield Barracks HI

Tipo de alistamento

Draftee

Ramo das Forças Armadas

Army

Tipo de serviço

War

Tipo de Unidade

Combat

Unidades onde serviu

TDY to 6205th Interpreters Special Detachment, Navy Mil. Gov't - CIC-CID, Ryukyus

Military specialty

Interpreter

Stationed

USA - Schofield Barracks, HI; Ryukyu Islands

Separated

Schofield Barracks HI

Unit responsibility

Assigned to Navy Mil. Gov't CIC-CID. (6205th Interpreters Special Detachment) This unit was formed by the Navy,and consisted of about 200 MIS interpreters serving in various campaigns from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Okinawa Invasion, etc. Some men were assigned cave-hunting and mop-up duties. It seems that much of this type of activity is relatively unknown today, compared to exploits of other Niseis and Nisei-manned organizations. Many in this group had no basic training, and worked with Navy prsonnel only for a short time before being sent to Okinawa and other places to serve.

Personal responsibility

Taking care of villages to help civilians get back on their feet.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Assigned to Mil. Gov't. as liaison between civilians and Navy officers to determine the best way to help with the many problems that existed.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Good Conduct Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Mdal; WW II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation (awarded all MIS units).

Living conditions

Sleeping quarters were tents. When working in villages, houses in the village were assigned to us.

Food was supplied to us in walk-in refrigerator.

Food and sleeping quarters were good while on temporary duty to Navy.

For entertainment we went to the movies mostly. Also got together with other interpreters and drank beer occasionally. Not much to do.

Most vivid memory of military experience

Civilians were hurt badly by the war. Not only were there physical injuries but mental suffering as well. Very difficult to see all the suffering.

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

At least I served my country and made use of my not too good Japanese language to help people.

I wish that young AJA's would learn the Japanese language. It might become useful in the future and being bilingual can result in better jobs.

While travelling here and there, I have come across several Caucasians who speak Japanese fluently, also read and write. Makes me wonder why the AJA's don't take the initiative and learn.

Additional information

Under the Units Served heading, I mention the service we performed for the Navy. I have not read or heard about this unit and the service they performed. Because we looked like the enemy, we also had other problems. One of these days, perhaps some additional information on this unit will be forthcoming. I hope.