May 2 in a convoy of over 100 ships. They arrived at Naples, Italy, on May 28. Private First Class Sakai served as the driver for Colonel Charles W. Pence, commanding officer of the 442nd RCT, and as the orderly for Executive Officer Lieutenant Colonel Virgil R. Miller. After a week in bivouac at Bagnoli, near
themselves on their steel guitars and ukuleles. Pvt. Hamada, leader of the Shelby Hawaiians, danced a hula — much to the enjoyment of the entire audience. Col. Charles W. Pence, commanding officer of the combat team, was then introduced by Sgt. Kanemitsu — an honor no enlisted man has ever had. Col. Pence briefly welcomed the
step to demonstrate their patriotism, but as citizens of Japanese ancestry they realize they are under close public scrutiny. In the words of their commanding officer, Colonel Charles W. Pence, each one “is a symbol of the loyalty of the Japanese-American population both on the mainland and in Hawaii.” The program, arranged by the two chaplains,
Charles Wilbur Pence Regimental Headquarters 442nd Headquarters Company Colonel
officer of the Combat Team and Mrs. Pence. After refreshments of ice-cold punch and cake there was more dancing until another short intermission at which time Sgt. Charles Tanaka and his Hawaiian Combateers entertained with more dances and songs of Hawaii. At the close of his short program, gifts of bracelets, brooches, and lapel
and General Jacob L. Devers, Chief of Army Field Forces, who commanded the Sixth Army Group under whom the 442nd fought in France. Other pallbearers included Colonel Charles W. Pence, former commander of the 442nd until he was wounded in the Vosges battles; Colonel Virgil R. Miller, former commander of the 442nd RCT; Colonel Charles H.
442 H S/Sgt. Kuroda, Robert Toshi 442 H Pfc. Miyaguchi, Masayuki John 442 H Pfc. Shigemura, Masao Frank 442 Hq 1st Lt. Farnum, Charles Oliver 442 I S/Sgt. Inakazu, Ben Masaki 442 M Pfc. Kato, Yoshi 21 Oct 1944 – Battle Day Seven Using the information contained
to Shelby, scraped off the mud, and began again the endless task of cleaning up their equipment. The Combat Team was commended for proficiency by Major General Charles H. White, Commanding General of IX Corps, and Major General Charles L. Bolte, Commanding General of the 69th Division. The entire Combat Team now began the
Mrs. Charles W. Pence, wife of Col. Pence of the 442nd Inf., gave a dessert bridge at the Front Street USO Thursday noon. About 35 wives attended and organized a bridge club which will meet at 1:30 every Thursday at the Front Street USO.
the 442nd, were scheduled for that day. A memorial service was held at the base of the cemetery’s flag pole prior to the burials. Present were Col. Charles W. Pence (442nd RCT), Col. Farrant L. Turner (100th Infantry Battalion, Separate), and Chaplain Hiro Higuchi (442nd RCT). Pfc. Iwamasa’s mother, Mrs. Tsugi Iwamasa, was present for the
the 232nd Engineer Combat Company. In accordance with these orders, the 442nd Combat Team was activated on February 1, 1943, by General Orders, Headquarters Third Army. Colonel Charles W. Pence took command, with Lieutenant Colonel Merritt B. Booth as executive officer. Lieutenant Colonel Keith K. Tatom commanded the 1st Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel James M. Hanley the
McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, in January 1943. Howard married Mary Louise Merritt of Anniston on July 31, 1943, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Merritt. In September 1943, Burt was promoted to First Lieutenant. On February 20, 1944, Lt. Burt was transferred to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and assigned to
