Michael Doi oral history interview, part 2 of 2, November 2, 2009
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After the Lost Battalion, Michael Doi went to the French Rivera for his rest period. In After a few days of recuperation, he returned to the mountain.
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.
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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video/m4v
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2009OH0750A_02_Doi
Citation
Doi, Michael: narrator, Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer, and Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher, “Michael Doi oral history interview, part 2 of 2, November 2, 2009,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed December 21, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1058046.