Ken Miya oral history interview, part 3 of 5, February 23, 2002

Miya discusses his experiences going overseas to Italy. Aboard the ship there 200 Japanese American soldiers out of 5,000 troops. Among his peers, Miya says the accomplishments of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team are well respected. On the ship, Miya has KP duties and discovers a cadaver in the kitchen. The cadaver turns out to be a soldier who passes away of cancer. Normally if there is a death aboard the ship, a sea burial is performed. However, since the ship is close to landing, the body is buried at a US cemetery in Italy.

Miya lands in North Africa and then travels to Naples. When Miya arrives at the replacement center, he is assign to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team before moving to another camp. Miya recalls one of his duties overseas is a meat wagon driver. Later Miya finds out what meat wagon stands for. Miya would occasionally correspond with his family and at times would feel homesick. Soldiers did not carry a lot of personal items with them; however, Miya carries a hanamaki that his Issei Mother made for him.

Miya recieves news the war has ended and to cease fire while waiting at the replacement camp. Later he joins with the 100th Infantry Battalion and process Prisoners of War. When he has a few days off from duty, Miya goes to visit a resort town.

video/m4v

0:27:47

2002OH0246_03_Miya

http://www.goforbroke.org/oral_histories/mp4/246-Miya-Ken-3.m4v

1923 Mar 06

Yes