Hawaiian Troops Start Work After 1st Open-House

Soldiers in the Hawaiian combat team began work today at Camp Shelby after their first week-end open ball and open-house at Service Club 5 where they entertained 100 Japanese-American girls from the relocation center at Rohwer, Arkansas.

The visitors arrived Saturday evening and went to the hall at the service club. Dancing ended at midnight. Open house was held Sunday with a tea dance Sunday afternoon and the girls then started the return trip in their chartered buses.

Expenses of the entertainment and the transportation cost were borne by the soldiers.

Music for the dance Saturday night was furnished by the orchestra from the Station Hospital Medical detachment. Sgt. Francis Nataline, formerly with Sammy Kaye, directed.

Sgt. Hitoshi Kanemitsu, Service Co., 442nd Inf. was master of ceremonies for the brief but enjoyable intermission program. Miss Ivelle O'Donnell, director of the club, and Cpl. Walter Semon, supervisor of the club, both warmly welcomed everyone.

Sgt. Kanemitsu next presented Pvt. Harry Hamada and his Shelby Hawaiians who sang Hawaiian songs, accompanying 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 men and their guests in Camp Shelby. Brig. Gen. George Halloran, commander of the post, said a few words after which there was community singing led by Chaplain Eugene West. Sgt. Herbert Sasaki, a talented soldier with a beautiful voice, sang two solos. Sgt. Charles Tanaka and his Hawaiian Combateers furnished more island songs and dances, which were received with much enthusiasm.

Col. And Mrs. Pence led the Grand March. Each soldier was given a lei to present to his partner before marching together up the center.

The cake cutting ceremony which followed the grand march was highlighted when Mrs. Maseha Nakanishi, bride of a week, cut the first piece. The cake, a mammoth square one, was decorated with a rose-filled "V,” two American flags and inscribed “Go For Broke (the combat team’s motto) Best Wishes 442 from Service Club 5.”

Dancing was resumed by all until midnight at which time the 442nd men sang most appropriately “Good Night Ladies,” as their guests boarded three buses which took them to the dormitories.

The girls were thrilled over the event. “It's wonderful!” “people are so friendly,” was heard frequently.

Miss Marie Shimidzu, one of the 94 guests, was especially glad to come to Camp Shelby. Her brother Cpl. Arthur Shimidzu, is stationed here. To make this reunion complete, Mrs. Kinino Shimidzu, mother of Marie and Arthur was also present. She was one of the several Chaperones to accompany the girls here.

Another brother and sister reunited were Miss Mary Ansai and Cpl. Eddie Ansai of Hq. Co., 1st Bn. They had not seen each other since 1941, and were busily talking to each other in a corner, unmindful of the orchestra's blare and the dancers’ hubbub,

Miss Mildred Ikezoe, the best rug-cutter on the floor, was here “as a reporter.” She writes for the Rohwer newspaper, The Outpost.

Many “next door neighbors” were reunited at this dance and party. Among these were Miss Frances Kakehashi and Sgt. David Yoshida. They had not seen each other for two years and Miss Kakehashi gleefully said, “it's swell to be here,” while Sgt. Yoshida wonderingly said, “my, my, how you have changed.”

Mrs. Dorothy Sugita and Florence Shimazadi both have friends at Camp Shelby and were more than happy to have this opportunity to come and look them up. No less happy were Misses Ruth Yonemoto and Yao Shiroishi, among many others, who knew no one here, but volunteered to come to help make the combat team's first dance a huge success.

Interestingly watching the dance were Ed Sippes, O. L. Evans, L. P. Baker, bus drivers who brought the girls from Rohwer to Camp Shelby. They are all from the south and admitted that all the girls were lovely, not only in appearance, but also in manners. They were quite favorably impressed with their first contact with any Americans of Japanese ancestry.

Life's photographer, Albert Fenn, was having a "field day” shooting action shots of jitterbugs, army personnel, and the girls. Although he admitted that this was one of the “toughest assignments I’ve ever had,” Mr. Fenn stated that he was enjoying himself in spite of the huge beads of perspiration rolling from his face.

Last, but most emphatically not least, Miss Margaret Donohoe, social hostess of Service Club 5, must be given credit for helping to make this dance such a success. Quietly and unobtrusively Miss Donohoe kept the wheels of progress moving.

Reunion

Two brothers and a sister who have not seen each other for 12 years were reunited at the dance.

Mrs. Tsuruko Miyagi, one of the guests from the relocation center, was setting in a bus describing her brother, Pvt. Susumu Kishaba. Pvt. Kishaba was standing just outside the window by which Mrs. Miyagi was setting. On hearing his name Pvt. Kishaba looked up and recognized his older sister. He promptly got hold of their younger brother, Pvt. Minoru Kishaba, and the three of them had a grand reunion.

Mrs. Miyagi left the Islands 12 years ago to come to the mainland to attend school. Six years ago she married, but did not return to her home in the Islands.

Pvt. Susumu was working for a dairy as a truck driver, while Pvt. Minoru attend a Lahainaluna high school and Lahaina, Maui, prior to entering the army as volunteers.

For hobbies, Mrs. Miyagi had her two-year-old daughter, Pvt. Susumu goes spearfishing, and Pvt. Minoru raises rabbits

Mrs. Miyagi knew her brothers were at Camp Shelby, but the boys did not know that their sister was going to be among the guests.

Sunday program

The baseball game from 1:00 to 3:00 was between the teams of the 442nd Inf. and 522nd F. A. was attended by several guests and many soldiers.

Pvt. Harry Hamada and his Shelby Hawaiians sang Hawaiian songs for about an hour and entertained the guests attending the club's open house.

As a grand finale a tea dance was held for the guests in Service Club 5 with the 296th Eng. dance band furnishing the music. Pvt. Chris Zorba directed while Pvt. Joseph Ori did the vocals.

After the last dance, Lt. Col. Wm. H. Booth spoke briefly thanking the Rohwer guests for coming and hoping that they may be able to return.

As the girls boarded the buses the soldiers touchingly sang “Aloha” and “To You, Sweetheart, Aloha.”