He was an airborne radio operator in the Army Air Corps. General Douglas MacArthur said, people of the Philippines, I shall return. Then, on October 20, 1944, MacArthur waded ashore in Leyte, and said, people of the Philippines, I have returned. From what I can see, the Philippine people have never forgotten that. Almost every village, town, or city, has a MacArthur street, highway, Blvd, or drive. He is still respected in the Philippines.
On the other hand, the 442nd regimental combat team, made up, mostly of Japanese American soldiers, was, from what I have read, the most decorated US Army unit of World War 2. Many of whom, had families in the camps. They had something to prove. I have also heard, that many Japanese Americans were outraged by the “date that will live in infamy.” They didn’t like it either.
My dad was also in the Army Air Corps. He was a heavy equipment operator. He came ashore on the third day of the invasion of Leyte island. He said they had to walk on the bodies of the Australian and US Marines that died establishing that beach head.
They brought in bulldozers and pushed the bodies into giant pits to clean up the beach prior to MacArthur coming ashore to make his I have returned speech.
Dad said that the wading into the water from a landing craft was to make it more dramatic for the news reels.
There was a concrete quay just to the left of the picture that they all got off onto.
Dad also went into Wee Wack. On the north side of New Guinea. Again after the Australians had captured the area. There were still Japs in the interior of the island. And headhunters. I am not sure if that was before or after the Leyte invasion.
He was eventually shot in the head and abdomen. The head shot he figured was a ricochet. It went through his helmet but not his skull. Thr abdomen wound put him in the hospital for six weeks. Due to the infection that happened in the jungle environment.
He also lost all of his upper teeth from the but end of a Japs rifle.
He went in as a private and discharged as a staff sergeant.
Although during one of the battles he was field promoted to Captain because all the officers were injured or dead. He was the senior sergeant. He returned from the Pacific on a hospital ship.