World War II Woman

Serving in the Occupation Forces in Japan

Today’s entry comes from a friend.

In 1946, at age 18, I enlisted in the Army. Shortly after six weeks of Field Artillery Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, I was sent to San Francisco for a 30 day slow boat ride to Yokohama, Japan. Men and women who had been in combat were being sent home and discharged at a rapid rate. The Army needed warm bodies to fill their slots and our group was sent, via train, to Nara in the southern part of Japan. It was a beautiful old town, once the capital and religious center of Japan.

I was part of the 64th Field Artillery Battalion in the 25th Infantry Division. When we arrived things were still a little chaotic. For example, when we were being processed they determined that I had completed a year of pre-Veterinary study at the University of Pennsylvania. That sounded to someone like medical school so I was placed in charge of the Medical Detachment after not a single day of training. There were eight of us charged with taking care of about 350 GIs as well as the Japanese laborers who worked on the base. A doctor came to visit once a week and we learned as we went along. Giving shots and stitching wounds became fun. No one died!

I’m not sure I ever thought about it at the time but in hindsight and with the perspective of Iraq, our commanding officer, General Douglas Mac Arthur, did a wonderful job. He stressed in no uncertain terms that although the Japanese had been our hated enemies, the war was over and we were now to treat them with complete respect. We did so and they responded in kind. After I became a medic, I no longer carried a gun but that mattered little. We always felt safe walking to and from town day or night. We gave candy to the kids in the park and played ball with them.

In spite of the terrible devastation we inflicted upon Osaka and other cities, I realize it was all horrible but necessary. I was and am proud of our country for winning the war and for having the decency and compassion to treat our vanquished enemies humanely. It helps to explain why Japan has remained a fervent friend for the past 60+ years. Truman and his generals did it right.

For more information on World War II, go to www.peggeorge.com

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