<Begin Segment 5>

gky: When you were in combat, can you describe that to me? I've never been in combat and I probably never will be. All I can see are movies about it. What does it feel like?

DO: You see a lot of dead body and you don't know which way the bullet's coming from. It's a weird feeling. But the only thing you think of is survival, and lucky for us we had a bodyguard most of the time with us and they were very good men. Without them, I don't think, we have a difficulty surviving.

gky: Would you explain to me what the whole bodyguard system was?

DO: They're supposed to stay with us 24 hours a day. If I had to go at night, they're supposed to come with us. But, fortunately I didn't go at night too often. [Laughs]

gky: And, what would they do? Was their only duty to make sure that other Americans didn't kill you?

DO: Yeah. Supposed to make sure that everybody realized we're on the same side. Because I remember one time in Alaska, that Alaskan Scout was briefed by a captain. I overheard. He said that to make sure when the assignment's over, he come back with you.

gky: On, up in Alaska, did you actually, were you actually in combat ever? It wasn't a combat zone for you.

DO: No. Nobody was there.

gky: So, it was really Saipan that you first came -- was there... a lot of times, I know the Kibei did a lot of translation to the documents since their written Japanese was better than the Nisei, whereas the Nisei might be able to speak. Was that the case with you?

DO: No. I was mostly with the headquarter. They never let me go that far out, so all the information coming in and we're supposed to put it together and work.

gky: You spent pretty much your formative years in Japan. Do you think that helped you understand the Japanese mentality -- their feeling towards war, their feeling towards doing their duty for their country?

DO: Huh?

gky: You spent your twelve formative years in Japan. Do you think it helped you understand -- or how did it help you understand the Japanese mentality?

DO: You know, when I was on Tinian and taking care of civilians, I was working with a Japanese doctor, and went around and did many things. He pulled me aside and he said to me, "You know something, Mr. Oka?" I said, "What?" He said, "Even the real Japanese couldn't have done better than you, the thing you're doing." And I was so proud of that.

gky: How do you think the Japanese mentality differed from the American mentality, you know, in facing the war or in serving their country?

DO: From my standpoint, viewpoint, there is no difference. I mean, one's just doing their job for their country, either side.

gky: Did you have very much contact with your other two brothers who were in the American army?

DO: Yes, uh-huh.

gky: So, you could communicate with each other?

DO: Not too often.

gky: Where were your brothers stationed?

DO: My older brother was in Wyoming and I was in most of the time Savage or overseas or someplace. And other one, he got in late, like 1945, so I don't know where he was stationed.

gky: All of you were in the MIS?

DO: Yes, uh-huh. I was switched, I think they went into MIS direct, but Isao, he was in the Quartermaster Corps for a long time, and then went to MIS later. I was in the infantry, then they asked me to go to MIS.

<End Segment 5> - Copyright © 2000 Bridge Media and Densho. All Rights Reserved.