Combat Team Gives $6800 To Paralysis Fund

A check for $6800 was formally handed over to Col. C. W. Pence, commander of the Japanese-American Combat Team at regimental headquarters at Camp Shelby today — the proceeds of a two week strive among soldiers of the Combat Team for the Hawaiian poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) emergency hospital fund.

Accepting the check which he will forward to Honolulu as the Combat Team’s donation, Colonel Pence said: “It isn't only the amount that provides great satisfaction, but there is the additional outstanding fact that the money has been donated by soldiers who come from both the mainland and Hawaii. That, I believe, is indicative of the spirit of teamwork which has become a characteristic attribute of the Combat Team.

Fitting Parallel

“The infantile paralysis drive that has been going on in Hawaii is a worthy cause, a fitting parallel to the campaign that has been conducted for so many years by our commander-in-chief, President Roosevelt, to combat infantile paralysis in this country. I am sure that our soldiers have given generously and to the utmost of their ability in the hope that their fighting dollars will do some good, just as they have contributed in the past to other such worthy causes as the Red Cross and War Savings Bonds. It gives me great pleasure therefore, to accept this check to be forwarded to Hawaii in the name of and in the behalf of the Japanese-American Combat Team.“

The check was given to Col. Pence by 2nd Lt. Ralph T. Yempuku, formerly of Honolulu, who with the Combat Team chaplain, Capt. John T. Barrett and 1st Lt. Thomas E. West, have been instrumental in raising the fund here.

The money will go towards the building of a hospital in Hawaii modeled somewhat after the Warm Springs, Georgia, institution which has so long enjoyed the patronage of President Roosevelt.

When news of the campaign in Hawaii reached here, Lt. Yempuku called together the former members of the disbanded Varsity Victory Volunteers, and mapped out plans for a similar drive among the Japanese-American soldiers. Composed of former members of the inactivated Hawaiian Territorial Guards, the VVV's were organized in the islands soon after Pearl Harbor was attacked and volunteered their services to the U.S. Army as a work battalion on army posts in the Islands.

Instant Response

The drive here met with instant response, many of the men realizing the good that could be accomplished and how even their own relatives might be benefited. On the day that it was announced at reveille that donations would be accepted, the enlisted men of company I contributed more than $200 to become the first company to “lay their money on the line.” Other companies were not far behind in their support of the cause to relieve suffering and advisability and to safeguard the future generations from the ravages of the disease.

Thereafter the regimental chaplain and officers from Hawaii spoke occasionally to the men informing them of the critical need of funds.

The drive reached its highest point on pay day when gallon jars placed in the ordinary rooms of the companies were crammed full of greenbacks and silver.

Said Assistant Chaplain West: “The success of this drive is direct evidence of the appreciation of our soldiers for the civilian welfare and indicates their sincere concern for the well-being of those on the home front.”