Newspaper

100th Infantry Battalion – America’s “Purple Heart Battalion”

June 5th, 2012 marks the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the 100th  Infantry Battalion.  Here is an article from The Hawaii Herald archives published on the 50th Anniversary (1992). History/Roland Kotani From: “The Japanese in Hawaii: A Century of Struggle” THE 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION America’s “Purple Heart Battalion” The Hawaii Herald (June 19, 1992) The following historical profile on the 100th Infantry Battalion is excerpted from the chapter titled, “The Nisei Soldier” in Roland Kotani’s 1985 book, “The Japanese in Hawaii: A Century of Struggle.” The book was published by the Hawaii Hochi, Ltd. And was designated the official booklet of the Oahu Kanyaku Imin Centennial Committee. On the barren Italian hillside, Masayuki “Sparky” Matsunaga huddled behind a terrace wall and prayed for the dawn. He could...

100th Record Keepers

26 States, Hawaii Represented in 522nd Field Artillery Unit

Donauworth, Germany — Twenty-six states, the Territory of Hawaii and the District of Columbia are represented in the home addresses of officers and men of the 522nd (Japanese American) Field Artillery Battalion now stationed here. Hawaiian leads with 331 men out of the battalion and 120 of these men called Honolulu home. Seventy others are from other sections of Oahu, while the other islands are represented by the following: Hawaii, 58; Maui, 48; Kauai, 32; Molokai, 2 and Lanai, 1. California leads all the states with 85 men calling the Golden State home. Actually, more than 100 men of the battalion were born in California but now list other states has home addresses because of relocation or resettlement. Home addresses of other men of the...

442nd Baseball Team Defeats 148th Engineers

442nd Baseball Team Is Undefeated

The 442nd Inf. Baseball team is justified in proudly and loyally announcing it is as yet still undefeated. The team has played five games and has amassed a total of 74 runs as compared to the four allowed opponents. Hattiesburg American 1943 May 24 Page 3 442nd Marriages Announced Content: Sgt. Pete Watanabe of Co. D, 442nd Inf. and Miss Mary Hirose of Los Angeles were married by Chaplain Eugene West in his office at Camp Shelby on May 14. Cpl. Satoshi Kato Co. E, 442nd Inf. and Miss Mutsu Oikawa of Washington state were married at the USO Cottage May 23. Chaplain Thomas R. Brown of the Air Corps officiated while Mrs. James Masuda acted as a matron of honor and Sgt. Ben Kumagai...

442nd Baseball Team Yields to 474th Quartermasters

442nd Boxing Card Tonight

Forty-two rounds of fast boxing are scheduled for the first 442nd Combat Team boxing exhibition at 8'clock tonight in the third battalion area. Two “main events” are scheduled and two semi-wind ups. All bouts will be for two rounds two minutes a round. Intermission music will be furnished by Hamada’s All-Hawaiian Serenaders. The program, subject to change follows: Main Events Richard Koto Serv. Btry. vs. Shangy Sugano, Co. M. 160 lbs Wallace Fukeda, Co. I vs. Robert Nori, FA, 135 lbs. Semi-Windups Tsuneshi Maruo, Btry C vs. Roy Nakamie, Co. L, 118 lbs. Anki Hoshijo, Hq. 3Bn vs. Tommy Umeda, Co. I, 126 lbs. Special Events Raymond Murata, Co. L vs. James Hayashi, Co. I, 118 lbs. Paul Tokusato, Co. F vs. Wallace Miyamoto, Hq....

442nd Champion Diver

442nd Champion Swimmer

Pvt. Takashi Hirose, Co. M, 442nd Inf., is one of the champion swimmers in the Combat Team. He has made four trips to the mainland to compete in various swimming meets. His swimming career began at the age of four; he entered competitive swimming at nine, and won his first championship when he was fourteen. In 1941 he became national 100 meter champ at a meet at St Louis, Mo. He has been a member of the All American swimming team, the post-Olympic team, and has participated in the Pan American games in South America. In 1940 he was offered a scholarship at the University of Ohio. Unable to accept it at that time, he postponed it until the next year, but at that time...

442nd Judo Exhibit

Pvt. James Kamo, Service Co., 442nd Inf. Is working up a judo exhibit, which will be given at the Fieldhouse. The date will be announced. Pvt. Kamo defines judo as a “streamlined version of Ju-jitsu.” He has been doing judo for about 8 years and is an expert. Before war broke out, Pvt. Kamo was attending the University of Hawaii taking mathematics and sciences. He taught judo for two years in the university physical education classes. War came before Pvt. Kamo could graduate as he left school to teach judo to the Honolulu police and to army and navy flyers until he was accepted into the 100 per cent volunteer 442nd combat team. Pvt. Kamo says "the boys in the exhibit are training hard for...

442nd Lt Ohrenstein Needs An Apartment

442nd Marriage

442nd Officers Wives Form Bridge Club

442nd Ping Pong Winners

442nd Soldiers Are Avid Readers

The reading habits of Japanese American troops in combat-team training at Camp Shelby indicate a fondness for books on American history and biography, technical subjects and social sciences, according to Miss Mattie Swearingen, librarian at the Service Club No. 3, which is well patronized by the Japanese Americans. Many books on Japan are available at the library but so far not a single one has been taken out by the soldiers of Japanese ancestry who come from Hawaii and Relocation Centers on the mainland. Berlin Diary and Guadalcanal Diary are popular and biographies of General MacArthur and Abraham Lincoln are constantly sought, Miss Swearingen says. In the technical field, books on preliminary flight training, medical aid and care and maintenance of motors are avidly read....

442nd Soldiers Celebrate “I Am an American Day”

Japanese-American troops of the 442nd Combat Team celebrated “I Am an American Day” Sunday in their own regimental area with a special program extolling the advantages of citizenship and acknowledging its responsibilities. By voluntarily enlisting for service in the combat team, these soldiers already have taken the first 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, included music and speeches by the representatives of officers and enlisted men of the organization. Company guidons were assembled around the...

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...

442nd Soldiers Invited to Bogalusa, LA

Twenty-five enlisted men of the 442nd Combat Team will spend the week-end of June 5-6 at Bogalusa, La., as guests in the homes of the townspeople. The trip is being arranged by the Young Women's Professional Club of Bogalusa, under the direction of the YWCA, and special service officers of Camp Shelby and the Japanese American unit. The men will make the 60 mile trip by bus, arriving at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon in Bogalusa; they will be met by their hostesses and taken directly to the homes in which they will spend the week-end. The program and the reception Saturday night will include musical entertainment by the Hawaiian Combateers and the Shelby Serenaders, whose members are among the invited guests. The men will attend...

442nd Soldiers Present “You Can't Take It With You”

442nd Soldiers Present Hawaiian Musical Skit

Co. L, 3rd Bn., 442nd Inf. announces a Hawaiian musical skit at 7:00 tonight at the 3rd Bn. amphitheater. Men in this Bn. and their guests are invited. The amphitheatre, directly behind Co. L area, is picturesquely situated among Mississippi's famous pine trees. This skit, “You Can't Take It With You,” is appropriately named. s it will be Hawaiian memories done in music. Co. L gives full credit for the skit to Lt. Jerome Smith, who in turn absolutely refuses any credit, saying, “I didn't do a thing! These men are the ones who did all the work!” Under 1st Sgt. Herbert L. Fujita and S/Sgt. Tom Sagimori Co. L has been “on the ball.” Not only have these men worked on a musical skit,...

442nd Visitor

442nd Wives Host Wedding Shower

5 Hunt Soldiers Killed In Italy

Hunt , May 2 — 5 Japanese-American soldiers were killed and 22 were wounded in the Fifth Army’s push to drive the Germans out of northern Italy, according to War Department telegrams received this week by the soldiers’ families here. All were members of the famed 442nd Regiment. Those killed were: T/ 4 Haruo Ishida, son of Mrs. Asano Ishida, hunt, killed in action on April 6th. Inducted in September 1941, he was wounded in France during the rescue of the Lost Battalion near Biffontaine, France. S/Sgt. William I. Imamoto, younger brother of Mrs. Mae Fukui, Hunt, was reported killed on April 8. The 26 year old sergeant was formerly a resident of Port Orchard, Wash. Pvt. Roy Naemura, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs....

500 Leis from Hawaii Hail Returning 442nd Heros

Five hundred fresh flower leis, including 100 orchid leis, will be presented to the men of the 442nd as gifts from the school children of Hawaii. This was revealed by Mrs. Ellen O'Brien editor of “Paradise of the Pacific,” a Hawaiian publication, and wife of James A. O'Brien, public relations director of the Territorial Council on Veterans Affairs, who has in making the arrangements for the presentation of the leis. These arrangements have now been officially designated “Operations Aloha.” According to a late communication received from O'Brien in Honolulu, “the school children of Hawaii will provide leis for their big brothers and fathers who are returning home from the wars.” Although Dr. Miles Carey, principal of famed McKinley High School, has assured O'Brien that the...

A “Very Special” Trip – Steps Retraced in Journey to Bruyeres and Biffontaine

Here is an article from the Hawai‘i Herald’s special edition honoring the 70th Anniversary of the 442nd RCT. A “Very Special” Trip Steps Retraced in Journey to Bruyeres and Biffontaine Karleen Chinen The Hawai‘i Herald (March 15, 2013) Genro Kashiwa was not in the best of health when he boarded the plane for our trip to Europe last fall. Eight days earlier, he was in a hospital bed, recovering from a bleeding colon. But the recently retired lawyer insisted on making this pilgrimage — his first since the war. Genro, his wife Muriel and I became fast friends on the trip. From early in our journey, I often observed him studying maps and writing in canary-colored legal tablets. When we talked, his comments usually had...

A Country Stolen: The Story of the VVV

The story of the Varsity Victory Volunteers was published in the Hawaii Herald on March 17, 1995.  It was contributed by Bill Thompson and based on Army records and interviews.  VVV Statue It was about 3:00 a.m. in the morning. A shout went through the barracks at the shooting range for the men to wake up and assemble outside. The soldiers sleepily fell into line to hear the orders. What emergency had taken place for the men to get up at this un-godly hour? The orders were then read. The men were shocked! Disbelief ran through the minds of the assembled personnel. The orders bluntly stated that all men of Japanese ancestry, the Nisei, were immediately dismissed from the Hawaii Territorial Guard! Short hours after...

America’s Congressional Gold Medal Heroes

This is the first of many articles that have been published in The Hawai`i Herald.  Here is the cover story on the AJA Congressional Gold Medal — Courtesy of The Hawai`i Herald. AMERICA’S CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL HEROES In the Twilight of their Lives, America’s AJA Veterans Still Shine Karleen C. Chinen The Hawai‘i Herald (November 4, 2011) They now belong to an elite group of world citizens — honored by the Congress of the United States with the nation’s high civilian award for service — the Congressional Gold Medal. Past awardees had included U.S. presidents, astronauts, the Dalai Lama, baseball great Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King, among others. Google “Congressional Gold Medal” on the Internet and you will find...

Army Set To Honor 442nd Plan Impressive Welcome For Famed Combat Team Expected to Arrive Today

All New York is prepared to do honor to the returning 500 Japanese American soldiers who comprise the remnants of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Escorted by Army fighter planes and a Navy blimp from Lakehurst, N. J. The Wilson Victory will steam into New York harbor this afternoon, a few days ahead of schedule, according to the latest War Department announcements. The Wilson is expected to dock at pier 84, North River, at approximately 3:30 p.m. At the mouth of the harbor they will be met by two Army welcome boats decorated with a 442’s regimental colors and Insignia, equipped with a band and loud speakers, and a press boat loaded with newsreel cameramen and correspondents. Two fire boats from the city will...

Army Transport Brings Nisei Soldiers Home

Birthday Party for 442nd Soldiers

Birthday Party for Pvt. Suneo Yamaguchi

Pvt. Suneo Yamaguchi celebrated his birthday May 7, with a cake sent to him by his parents in Hilo, Hawaii. His family appealed to the USO in Hilo to arrange for a birthday cake to be given him on Friday. The cake, a beautifully decorated one with “Happy Birthday from Home” inscribed on it, was presented to Pvt. Yamaguchi by his company commander, Lieut. Christopher R. Keegan, in behalf of the Yamaguchi family, as the dessert course for the Friday evening meal. Pvt. Yamaguchi stated that he was certainly pleasantly surprised, saying, “When they called my name, I went on eating and didn't pay any attention.” “You thought it was for a detail.” chimed in one of his well-wishers. Pvt. Yamaguchi laughed and continued, “Yes,...

Boxers From Hawaii Aim For Shelby Titles

Enthusiastic ring followers in the Japanese-American Combat Team don't believe in pulling their punches. They are confidently predicting that their newly-formed boxing team will win the championship of Camp Shelby. The team, which was organized under the direction of Lt. Roger (Slugger) Smith, a former tackle at the University of Hawaii, started training this week. The team has a wealth of material in every weight division up to and including middle weight, and the fighters are working hard to live up to their backers’ prediction. Acting as co-coaches of the boxers are Pvt. Ken Nobori, 1940 Hawaiian A.A.U. middle. weight champion who was on the Hawaiian team that swept the national A.A.U. tournament at Boston three years ago, and Pvt. Richard Chinen, colorful bantam who...

Bugs, Snakes, Music, And It’s Too Hot

Built to Last

Here is an article from the Hawaii Herald on the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion.  Yasuo Mito, a member of the Battalion recalls his experiences. Stories and images are courtesy of the Hawaii Herald.BUILT TO LAST Wahiawa Water Tank Built by 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion Still in Use TodayGwen Battad Ishikawa The Hawai‘i Herald (November 4, 2011)The view while driving up Wahiawa Heights is almost nondescript. The rows of houses on either side of the street are occasionally broken up by pasture or farm land. Along the route are storage water tanks used to supply the water needs of nearby homes and businesses. The trees and tall grass growing in front of the tanks help them to blend in with the landscape.What’s unique about one of these...

California Sergeant Wins Commendation for Valorous Action

With the 5th Army in Italy — Sergeant Yoshio Nakagawa of Mount Eden, California who led a hazardous reconnaissance patrol into enemy territory recently was awarded a 5th Army commendation for valorous conduct in action. He serves in the 442nd Japanese American Combat Team. He was cited for his performance near La Houssiere, France during the bitter fighting in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France. It became evident that a reconnaissance of the German positions would be necessary for any further advances. Nakagawa volunteered to lead a patrol to gather the necessary information. His citation reads: “Sergeant Nakagawa volunteered to lead a reconnaissance patrol into enemy territory. When a minefield was discovered, he went forward alone to investigate the area. When enemy snipers opened fire,...

Capt. M. E. Smith Receives A Visitor

Captain Claude P. White Promoted To Major

Ceremonies At Kilmer to Fete Team

Three generals, a brass band, civilian dignitaries, a top nite club show, and 35,000 troops will fete the returning 442nd Regimental Combat Team in an elaborate program scheduled for July 3 at 2:00 p.m., in the Camp Kilmer bowl, New Jersey. Following the salute to the colors, introductory remarks will be made by Captain E. H. McDowell, Special Services Officer of Camp Kilmer. Johnny Pineapple’s entertainment, straight from the Hotel Lexington Hawaiian room, will then take the stage. The official military services which will follow will feature an address by General Alfred M. Gruenther, representing the Assistant Secretary of War, who will be introduced by Col. Herald L. Duffie, camp Commandant. Generals Wiley and Ewart Plank will also speak. In addition, the War Department's Deputy...

Close Work In The Ring

Company K Entertains the 442nd

Co. K, 3rd Bn., 442nd Inf., is presenting a musical skit tonight in Dixon Stadium, the amphitheater just behind Service Company, 442nd Inf. Sgt. Charles Tanaka, leader of the Hawaiian Combateers, is in charge of the program and promises one full of variety, talent, and laughs. Opening the program, the Co. K Serenaders will sing “Across the Sea,” a memory-provoking melody. Pvt. Rodney Miyamoto and his Co. K Tumblers will perform next and then Pvt. Sugio Mizota and his harmonica will be heard. Officers not to be outdone, will be represented by Lt. Edgar H. Graham, who will play his trumpet “Harry James style.” Jitterbugs will be represented by Pvt. Stanley Hashimoto, who will give a “jumpin’ jive jitterbug” demonstration. Completing the program, Sgt. Tanaka...

Company L Entertains the Combat Team

Company L, 442nd Infantry, gave a variety show entertainment Wednesday evening at the third battalion amphitheater of the Japanese American combat team. The title was “You Can Take It With You. (We don't want it!)” comedy skits, group and chorus singing, Hawaiian melodies, and a magician were among the numbers. The magician overestimated his ability to get out of rope knots. Tied up early in the show, he was still writing in .meshes when the show closed and the audience had departed. An officers’ trio, Capt. R T. Applegarth, and Lts. R. W. Smith and Milton L. Brenner sang several numbers to ukulele accompaniment while prospective non-coms were bidden by an off-stage sign to “clap like hell.” A perniciously interfering peanut vendor, crying “Hot, frosted...

Crack Army Battalion From Hawaii

Earl M. Finch Flies East For 442nd Deactivation

The man who recently was accorded a bigger reception in Hawaii than the late President Roosevelt, Earl Finch, the 442nd’s best friend and one-man USO from Hattiesburg, Miss., flew into town last Saturday to be in at the final deactivation ceremonies of his beloved 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Finch, mild mannered but effective, switched plans to tour the West Coast in behalf of the Nisei, and reversed his direction when he was advised of pending arrival of the Wilson Victory. He wired the War Department that he would stand by to do everything he could for the boys. And in Finch's language, that's plenty. He is staying at the Astor Hotel which is his New York headquarters. Through no desire of his own, Finch’s work...

First Nisei From 442nd Unit Reenlists Into Regular Army

Tombolo, Italy — when Pfc. Jack T. Yasuda of L company was sworn in on Sept. 30, he became the first Japanese American soldier of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to reenlist in the Regular Army. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Pfc. Yasuda was drafted into the pre-war army in Oct., 1941, from Los Angeles, Calif., when he was working as a truck driver in the wholesale produce market. He joined the 442nd as a replacement while the Japanese American unit was in Naples preparatory to leaving for France in the fall of 1944. As a rifleman in L company, he fought through the Rhineland, North Apennines and Po Valley campaigns and wears the Distinguished Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster for having been a...

FOUR SPECIAL STONES

Here is an article from the Hawai`i Herald’s special edition honoring the 70th Anniversary of the 442nd RCT.Stories and images are courtesy of the Hawai`i Herald.FOUR SPECIAL STONES Minoru Kishaba’s Story Reveals the Essence of the Nisei SoldierKarleen Chinen The Hawai‘i Herald (March 15, 2013)From the outset of our journey, one of the veterans in our group, Lahaina-born Minoru Kishaba, had struck me as an especially warm and gentle man. As we traveled through Italy, “Chappy” — a nickname that was given to him by his buddies in Anti-Tank Company because he sometimes read passages from the Bible to them — often talked about how lonely and homesick he felt during the war. “It was a very lonely feeling, especially evening, after you dig your hole...

Frederick O. Jimbo Receives Warrant Officer Commission

General Emmons Leaves Hawaii June 1

(By Associated Press) Honolulu, May 28. — Lieut. General Delos C. Emmons, commander of the Hawaiian department of U. S. Army during the grim days following the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor will relinquish that command June 1 and be succeeded by Major Gen. Robert C. Richardson. General Emmons, who made the announcement of the change yesterday after he had received the distinguished service medal in recognition of his outstanding work here, did not disclose his new assignment but speculation immediately arose that he might take over the western defense command in the Fourth Army, now headed by Lieut. Gen. John L. DeWitt. “There wouldn't be a more pleasant place to serve” than San Francisco, General Emmons said in explaining he was unable to...

Hawaiian Troops Are Coming

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...

Henrietta of Honolulu

The cat that traveled to London to see the queen was a piker compared to Henrietta, who has come all the way from Hawaii to reside in Hattiesburg. Henrietta is a red 9-tenths Persian belonging to captain and Mrs. R. B. Ensminger, 119 Mabel Street. She is a year old and was given to them by a friend in Honolulu. When the Ensmingers left the islands for Camp Shelby they decided that Henrietta should come along too; so she was sent on a later boat to San Francisco and then to Hattiesburg by railway express. When Henrietta left home she was amply provided with food for the three weeks trip, but she was either seasick or the food was lost on the way, because she...

Issei Fathers of GIs Seek U. S. Citizenship

Jap Fought For U.S., Now In Detention Camp

Japanese-Americans Expert Nicknamers

Nicknames are often a good index to the Americanization of our citizens of foreign ancestry. Nicknames are universal but only Americans have perfected the art of bestowing them with great irreverence to fit the subject. Nicknames of Japanese-American soldiers in training here for a combat team are particularly revealing. The soldiers take great delight in naming each other with monikers that are a far cry from those that appear on the baptismal records. And the names they pick invariably stick and are worn with pride by the namee. For instance, one short, chubby soldier has been dubbed “five by five,” which in turn has been shortened to “Five.” Another Kewpie-faced private is known to his associates as "Jack O Lantern,” shortened to “Lantern.” A former...

Lt. Ferris Seeks A Rental

Lt. Hirano Is Apartment Hunting

Lt. and Mrs. Roy M. Hirano have arrived from Camp Savage, Minn. Lt. Hirano is with the Reg. Hqs. Co., 442nd Inf. The Hiranos are here apartment hunting. Any help along this line will be greatly appreciated. They may be reached at phone number 2687. Hattiesburg American 1943 May 21 Page 7 Surprise Birthday Party for Pvt. Thomas N. Goto Content: Pvt. Thomas N. Goto of Hq. Bty. 522nd F. A, celebrated his birthday last night with a cake sent to him from Hilo, Hawaii. The sender of the cake, Miss Haruko N. Matsuura is an instructor at the Intermediate School in the Islands. She wrote to the Hattiesburg American asking as a special favor that arrangements be made to have a cake delivered to...

Lt. Jorgensen Promoted

Lt. Young Oak Kim Receives A Visitor

Measuring The Mess Sergeant

Meet A 442nd Volunteer

Meet Cpl. Harry Komatsu

Cpl. Harry Komatsu of Service Company, 442nd Inf., misses one thing in Mississippi. Snow. He is an avid skier — owning not one but two complete skiing outfits. His hometown, Sacramento, is not far from the Sierra Nevada's — his favorite stomping grounds. When not running his business, wholesale produce distribution, Cpl. Komatsu could be found either skiing or ice skating. Another favorite with him is track meets. “That's my dish! I never missed one if I could help it!” Being a sprinter himself, Cpl. Komatsu's interest can readily be understood. He has been in the army for 15 months being stationed at Ft. Riley Kas., before coming to Camp Shelby. Cpl. Komatsu recently celebrated his birthday May 13, in the company's mess hall. He...

Nisei Soldiers — Through Their Grandchildren’s Eyes

Honolulu – May 16, 2014. The following article was printed in The Hawaii Herald – Hawaii’s Japanese American Journal (Vol. 35. No. 10). THE NISEI SOLDIERS — THROUGH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN’S EYES Yonsei’s Pilgrimage to Their Grandfathers’ Battlegrounds Stirs a Sense of Legacy Editor’s note: The following is an edited transcript of a “talk story” session among four yonsei whose grandfathers served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II. Last October, they joined their parents on a pilgrimage to Europe, where, among other sites, they visited the former Dachau concentration camp in southern Germany, and Bruyeres, France. Almost 70 years ago, Nisei soldiers from the 442nd RCT had helped to liberate Nazi-held prisoners at Dachau and to free the small town of Bruyeres...

Partners in the Journey

Karleen Chinen The Hawai‘i Herald (March 15, 2013) When we began our journey to Europe, my focus was on the veterans with whom I would be traveling for the next 20 days. This trip belonged to them. I was there to walk with them and record their memories and impressions. But what moved me as we bussed from historic landmarks to tiny little towns where these men had fought a half-century ago as young men barely out of teens, was the impact the trip had on their wives. They were not disinterested tag-alongs on this journey. Not once did I hear any of the women say, “Yeah, yeah, you go with the boys. I’m going shopping.” Not once. These wives were active partners in this...

Pfc. Atagi Recovers From Wounds at McCaw Hospital

Walla Walla, Wash. — Awarded the Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation for heroic achievement and outstanding service in combat, and the Purple Heart with one cluster for wounds received in action, Pfc. Archie Atagi is a patient at McCaw General Hospital, Walla Walla, Wash. Atagi enlisted in the Army in March, 1942, and served in a Quartermaster Battalion at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., until March, 1944, when he spent 17 weeks in infantry training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, in preparation for overseas duty with the 442nd Combat Infantry team. Landing at Naples in August, 1944, the troops remained at a replacement center known as “Purple Heart alley.” Atagi joined the 3rd Battalion of the Combat Team when they assembled for the invasion of southern...

Pfc. Noboru Morio Awarded Bronze Star Medal

Preserving History at Building 640

Here is an article from the Hawaii Herald on the efforts to preserve the building where Japanese-American U.S. Army MIS members were trained. Hawai‘i fundraising chair Andrew Sato (left) with Herbert Yanamura, both MIS veterans. Stories and images are courtesy of the Hawai`i Herald. PRESERVING HISTORY AT BUILDING 640 San Francisco Building Will Honor Wartime Work of the Military Intelligence Service Joe Udell The Hawai‘i Herald (November 4, 2011) In 1991, on the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Military Intelligence Service, the National Japanese American Historical Society advocated for preserving an old warehouse structure known as Building 640 in the Presidio of San Francisco. It was in that now-historic building that the first Japanese American U.S. Army members were trained as linguists to serve in...

Preserving the One Puka Puka Story

Puka Puka Parade – Voice of the 100th Infantry Battalion

Here is an article on the 100th Battalion’s newsletter.  Story and images courtesy of the Hawai`i Herald. “PUKA PUKA PARADE” — VOICE OF THE 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION Karleen C. Chinen The Hawai`i Herald (July 6, 2012) The 100th Battalion’s Monthly Newsletter is a Gold Mine of Information and Wartime Experiences This year, the Hawaii Hochi marks 100 years since Kinzaburo Makino began publishing the Japanese-language newspaper in December of 1912. Not too far behind the Hochi in publication years is the 100th Infantry Battalion’s monthly newsletter, creatively named the Puka Puka Parade. Since April 1, 1946, the veterans club has kept its members and their extended ‘ohana informed through the PPP. “We have quite a large team largely behind the scenes,” said president Pauline Sato,...

Pvt. Morimoto Offers Philosophy of Islanders

The sun beat down piteously. The red clay drill field at Camp Shelby caught the glare and the heat and hurled them back cruelly in the faces of the marching men. Perspiration streamed and darkened their dusty uniforms. Then came a rest. The man fell out. A few lighted cigarettes. Pvt. Tadashi Morimoto cradled his rifle and carefully wiped his rimless glasses. Through those glasses Pvt. Morimoto had looked at books and at life and had acquired a master's degree in social work. He was a graduate of the New York School of social work, a part of Columbia University. Before that, Pvt. Morimoto had graduated from the University of Hawaii. He was 31 years old, and had been married five years. Why had he...

Pvt. Sam Fujikawa Recalls 7 Dec 1941

Sgt. Suzumu Kazahaya Blessed With A New Daughter

Some 442nd News

Stamps, Back Roads, and Snakes

Staying Connected With The Folks Back Home

Japanese American troops at Camp Shelby sent 247 telegrams to their mothers in the islands on Mother's Day. The average cost was $2.00 a message of about 25 words. Many of the soldiers had never been away from home before they left for the mainland last month. And for many of the young men it was their first Mother's Day away from “mom.” Besides those who had dispatched telegrams, nearly 1000 more had sent air-mail letters timed to arrive home before Mother's Day. A number of the soldiers sought to make personal telephone calls to their relatives in Hawaii but restrictions on phone service due to the volume of official calls, were such as to discourage this method of communication. Perhaps it is because they...

Tagawa Marriage

USO Plans Visit Of 442nd Wives

USO Victory Concert Program For Sunday Is Announced

The Victory concert program to be given at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Front Street USO was announced today by Lucille Keen, USO music director. The program will be presented in the social hall by Chaplain T. E. West, tenor, 442nd Infantry Regiment; Sgt. Nick Montalbano, pianist, 202 Engineers; and Pvt. Plat Christopoulos, violinist, 226th Field Artillery. Chaplain West was head of the department of music at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia for three years and held the same position at Cumberland College in Kentucky prior to his induction into the army. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and a pupil of Frank LaForge. Chaplain West studied extensively in Europe, taught in the University of Shanghai, and one year at the...

Visitors to 442nd

War and Internment

Here is an article that reflects on the Japanese-American Internment. Hawaii Hochi writer Iwao Kosaka in front of an old mess hall at Tule Lake in 1988. Story and image courtesy of the Hawai`i Herald. WAR AND INTERNMENT Karleen C. Chinen The Hawai`i Herald (October 1, 2010) The World War II exploits of the Varsity Victory Volunteers, 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion are the stuff of legends and are even more gripping when retold because of the extra burden of race that the Nisei soldiers carried with them into battle. They fought not only fascism and totalitarianism, but hatred and prejudice in their own country. But knowing that the eyes of America were on them, the...

We Have To Make Good, And I Know We Will

Pvt. Larry Ishida of Hqtrs. Co., 2nd Bn., has been playing the piano for only a few months, but like so many of his musically talented fellow soldiers, he is really a “whiz.” He states that music is his hobby and first love, with any kind of sports coming a close second. He attended the Dietz Commercial school in Honolulu and was a clerk in a shipyard prior to his voluntary enlistment in the army. The only objection he has to Mississippi is, “the weather is not suitable. It's too hot.” He went on to say that the thing most of the boys from Hawaii were interested in was a snake. He stated that he had seen pictures of them, but that his first glimpse...

What Made Them Great?

A Former 441st man tells what kept them going… Why did the 442nd Japanese American Combat Team make such an exceptional record? How did greatness come to the rest of the blue-and-gold colors of the regiment? The nisei major was hesitant about answering, because it was difficult to talk of one's own and their exploits. “I would put it in two words, comradeship and pride.” It was the comradeship which ranged from “giving the shirt off your back”—what's mine is yours—to the sacrifice of life for another. The pride which stood against fear and the best the enemy had to offer. These qualities were the commonplace, not the unusual, and taken for granted. I remember an April morning in the north Apennines. Fog covered the...

When Pidgen Becomes Jive

Working On A Six-By