Following the Italian Campaign, the men were moving fast, and there was no time to set up. Michael would set up the mortar at night to be prepared for any attack. He recalls climbing the mountain and describes the last push. The Gothic Line was a hard climb. Michael described the strategies of how the Company and Battalion would hike up the mountain.

Once Michael's Company broke the line because the side, they climbed was the least protected. The German soldiers did not anticipate anyone to get that far up. Once the line was broken, others followed suit. Not only were the American soldiers fighting against German soldiers, but there were Italian fascists.

After the Gothic Line, the German soldiers were ready to surrender and go home. In Leghorn, Michael guarded the German poisoners. When the news of the war ended, he went back to Italy and was discharged. Since the war ended, the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Michael returned to the States in November on a Liberty ship. He landed in Virginia and went to Chicago to be with Jean Doi and his family. Michael and Jean dated for a year before getting married. Later, Michael relocated to Georgia because he found a job as a chick sexer that paid well. After the war, Jimmy reenlisted and went to Japan to be with his parents.

Michael and Jean have two children, a son, a daughter, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He explains why Niseis are reluctant to discuss wartime or camp experience. As a result, Micahel does not talk much about his wartime experiences with his children.

Michael also talks about the significance of various patches, badges, and medals the GIs wore and received. The soldiers in his outfit received the Bronze Star. Michael also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge which he was proud of.

Michael recalls the 50th Anniversary of Bruyeres and revisiting the area of Bruyeres. Although the foxholes were covered by moss, He could still see the remanences of the war.
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Doi, Michael: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>

On April 24, the Chinese assaulted Hershey's squad, and he gave orders for his men to withdraw. Hershey covered for his men to escape. He was wounded and captured by the Chinese soldiers. At the POW camp, Hershey describes the living conditions he endured for 27 and a half months. He did not get proper nourishment, medical attention, and warm clothing. To avoid wood cutting detail, Hershey became the barber in camp.

In 1952 the peace talks started, and the names of the POWs were released. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War. The Medal of Honor changed many aspects of Hershey's life, and he spoke at many events. As a fellow American of Japanese ancestry, Japanese Americans are just as dedicated to the United States as any other American. Hershey felt the training and his fellow soldiers helped him, but there was a higher being that guided him through the war experience.

Hershey was not religious when his mother passed away. However, he returned to his faith and religion helped Hershey get through his war experience, POW life, and post-war.



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Miyamura, Hiroshi "Hershey"; narrator]]> Yamazaki, Christine; interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center; publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004-07-24]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>

Post-war, Hershey went to school on the East Coast for engineering. At Christmas break, Hershey returned home and worked for his cousin for a few months. Hershey started dating Terry, and they got married.

When Gallup fell into a depression, Hershey's paychecks got smaller. In June 1949, he decided to reenlist for three years. The following year the Korean War happened, and Hershey went to duty in August 1950.

Hershey went through a nine-week refresher training session at Fort Hood, Texas. Then he went overseas and arrived at Camp Drake in Tokyo, Japan. Hershey was taken by train to the southern island of Kyushu. He joined Company H, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 3rd Division.

When they landed in Korea, there was snow on the ground and light artillery fire from the North Koreans. The countryside was not modernized, unlike Seoul. Hershey recalls his first engagement with the locals and their living conditions.

The locals were starving, and the American soldiers did not get the best food either. The terrain prevented the American soldiers from getting their supplies. Hershey lived off C rations for three to four months.

In the Korean War, Hershey was promoted several times from Squad Leader to Corporal and then Sergeant. He had 12 men and four riflemen under him. Hershey recalls losing men because they wanted to go home or were transferred to other units. ]]>
Miyamura, Hiroshi "Hershey"; narrator]]> Yamazaki, Christine; interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center; publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004-07-24]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>

Before going to Italy, the 442nd went to France. However, General Mark Clark requested the 442nd's return to Italy to break the Gothic Line. The 442nd took the German SS Troop by surprise when they attacked from the rear.

When the 442nd left Italy, the 552nd Artillery stayed behind. Later the 552nd went to Germany and were the first in Dachau.

The worst part of the war for Tetsuo was the casualties. He recalls several times he came across deceased soldiers. Another bad memory of the war was being under heavy fire.

When the war ended, Tetsuo got a pass and went to Switzerland and different rest areas. The highlight was Angelburg because he learned how to ski. Many years later, Tetsuo revisited Switzerland in the springtime.
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Asato, Tetsuo; narrator]]> Horsting, Robert; interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center; publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2002-11-29]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California]]>

Arriving overseas, Tetsuo got sick and was hospitalized in Marseilles, France, for a few days. He joined his company, G Company, 2nd Battalion, 442nd, in Sospel, France, and was in the mortar section. He recollects climbing a mountain with G Company and living in dugouts on the border of France and Italy.

The next combat was the Lost Battalion rescue. The G Company was hit hard because they had 800 casualties. Following was the Champagne Campaign. Tetsuo said the Champagne Campaign had no heavy troop movement compared to the Lost Battalion. Later, the 442nd received orders from General Mark Clark to come back to Italy to break the Gothic Line.  

In the last push, the 100th went north. The 2nd Battalion was the center. The 3rd Battalion was on the right. After a few days, Tetsuo rejoined the line from the hospital. Tetsuo remembers being on assignment as a litter-bearer in Casa Poggio and being under German artillery fire.]]>
Asato, Tetsuo; narrator]]> Horsting, Robert; interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center; publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2002-11-29]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California]]>

Julian Quayles discusses what happens after he escapes from the German soldiers. Julian with another Officer, finds shelter on an Italian civilian's property until they can rejoin the American lines. Julian does not reunite with the American troops until mid-October.

Ray Wells and his Company are training until their next action. They move to Mount Rotondo. Ray discusses the attitudes of the civilians. Food is scarce during the wartimes.

At Mount Rotondo, everyone in Ray's squad is hit by artillery fire. Ray is hospitalized for several weeks. During his recovery, he meets General MacArthur and Hideichi Shimabukuro from the 100th.

When Ray receives news about his brother, he goes AWOL but returns to the frontlines. After recovery, Ray attaches himself to G Company (rifle company) and goes to San Pietro, Italy.

During this time, Julian and his troops are in Monte Cassino. After Monte Cassino, Julian is Battalion S3 (Plans and Training Officer). He is promoted a few more times throughout the European Theater when the higher officers are killed in action.

Even though there are many losses of soldiers from combat, Julian says the morale remains the same. Replacements are brought in to help with the men killed in action or wounded in action.

In Rome, Julian remembers there is a lot of marching. The Germans have set up a few diversions for the American soldiers such as roadblocks and Middle Eastern soldiers to help on the ground. Julian recalls before Monte Cassino, he is sitting on the mountain and watching two British Army soldiers.

Both Ray and Julian discuss the German weapons, mines, and observations planes.]]>
Wells, Ray: narrator]]> Quayles, Julian: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

Julian Quayles discusses what happens after he escapes from the German soldiers. Julian with another Officer, finds shelter on an Italian civilian's property until they can rejoin the American lines. Julian does not reunite with the American troops until mid-October.

Ray Wells and his Company are training until their next action. They move to Mount Rotondo. Ray discusses the attitudes of the civilians. Food is scarce during the wartimes.

At Mount Rotondo, everyone in Ray's squad is hit by artillery fire. Ray is hospitalized for several weeks. During his recovery, he meets General MacArthur and Hideichi Shimabukuro from the 100th.

When Ray receives news about his brother, he goes AWOL but returns to the frontlines. After recovery, Ray attaches himself to G Company (rifle company) and goes to San Pietro, Italy.

During this time, Julian and his troops are in Monte Cassino. After Monte Cassino, Julian is Battalion S3 (Plans and Training Officer). He is promoted a few more times throughout the European Theater when the higher officers are killed in action.

Even though there are many losses of soldiers from combat, Julian says the morale remains the same. Replacements are brought in to help with the men killed in action or wounded in action.

In Rome, Julian remembers there is a lot of marching. The Germans have set up a few diversions for the American soldiers such as roadblocks and Middle Eastern soldiers to help on the ground. Julian recalls before Monte Cassino, he is sitting on the mountain and watching two British Army soldiers.

Both Ray and Julian discuss the German weapons, mines, and observations planes.]]>
Quayles, Julian: narrator]]> Wells, Ray: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>
World War II--European Theater]]> World War II--Military service]]> World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Vosges--"Rescue of the Lost Battalion"]]> Cunningham, Arthur Warren: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2007 September 07]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> San Antonio, Texas ]]> World War II--European Theater]]> World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team]]> World War II--Veteran history]]>
Reflecting back on wartime, Minamide feels the heroes of the war are the medics who helps the wounded. He recalls a time when a soldier is hurt and medic comes to assist the wounded in the middle of battle. When artillery fire is happening, Minamide says you can tell the difference between German and Untied States military gun fire. The German's is more rapid sounds and fact pace. At the end of the war, during the final push of the Gothic Line, Minamide discusses advancing the mountain and the war ending.
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Minamide, Akira: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2002 February 24]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]>
World War II--Combat--Artillery]]> World War II--European Theater]]> World War II--Military service--100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)]]> Hada, Chester: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2001-10-30]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Las Vegas, Nevada ]]> World War II--European Theater--"The Gothic Line"]]> World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team]]> Military service--Veteran history]]> Tanaka, Hiroshi: narrator]]> Garvey, John: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2005 September 27]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Las Vegas, Nevada]]> World War II--European Theater--"The Gothic Line"]]> World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Maritime Alps,"Champagne Campaign"]]> World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team]]>
Watada goes overseas on the Queen Mary and lands in France. After the rescue of the Los Battalion, the amount of soldiers depleted from casualties. Watada joins the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the company he joins only has eight soldiers left.

Watada describes the Champagne Campaign an opportunity for soldiers to bond because it is a non-combative time. Watada remembers his first combat is behind the riflemen as mortar squad. He says the first three platoon are riflemen and the fourth platoon is light weapon and light mortar/light machine gun. The last line of defense for the German soldiers is the Gothic Line and Po Valley. Watada says the 442nd Regimental Combat Team breaks the line in 1/2 hour climbing the mountain and fighting in the dark. ]]>
Watada, Richard: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 May 02]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Alameda, California ]]>
World War II--European Theater]]> World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team]]> World War II--Veteran history]]> Kodama, Harry Mitsuru: narrator]]> Kunitomi, Darrell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2006 August 19]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Lompoc, California ]]>