442nd Soldiers Entertain Local Girls And Their Chaperones

Open house at Service Club 5 Sunday was a huge success and immensely enjoyed by all soldiers and their guests who came from Gulfport, Bay St Louis, and Hattiesburg.

Dancing, which began at 2:30 and lasted until 5:00, was the main attraction for the afternoon. Pvt. Harry Hamada and his Shelby Hawaiians gave a short intermission program, singing and dancing Hawaiian songs and dances while accompanying themselves on their guitars, ukuleles, and uliuli (gourd). Two soldiers from the 442nd Combat Team were carried away by the Hawaiian music at one point and got up and did an impromptu but effective hula.

Everyone enjoyed the program keenly, especially the girls, who at 5:00 were taken to the various mess halls to enjoy the evening meal with their host. The girls were divided into several groups each group being guests of different battalions.

One group, which was the guest of Service Co. of the 442nd Inf. was royally received and entertained by all members of the Combat Team.

After the enjoyable meal, the guests were entertained with a very clever impromptu “floor show” under the able leadership of Sgt. Charles Tanaka, who also sang, played the ukulele and told witty stories. Pvt. Tommy Nakahara's songs were also welcomed with gusto. At the conclusion of the entertainment, the girls were shown around the area before returning to the Service Club where dancing was resumed from 7-9 PM.

Music for the dancing at this open house was furnished by the 166th Inf. band — a very well synchronized group of musicians.

Although this was the first time most of the guests had ever come into contact with soldiers of Japanese ancestry, all were very favorably impressed, as were their chaperones. Mrs. G. E. Mullins of Gulfport stated that she thought the boys were very well behaved and that all her girls were having a wonderful time. Mrs. S. G. Thigpin of Bay St Louis promptly seconded the statement, adding that the Combat Team men were wonderful hosts.