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Vincent Vivardo

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Vincent Vivardo remembers a few incidents when New Guinea natives would help the Marines locate enemy Japanese locations. (4:39)

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Vincent Vivardo recalls pulling a prank on famed Marine "Chesty" Puller while deployed in the Pacific. (1:52)

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While fighting in New Guinea, Vincent Vivardo tells the story of a surprise attack by a lone Japanese soldier. (1:17)

Virgil Westdale

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Virgil Westdate's father came from Japan to the US when he was 16 years old in 1906. After meeting Virgil's mother at church, the couple set about farming in Indiana. (5:16)

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Virgil Westdale was a college student when he got his private pilot license with an eye toward the Army Air Corps. FDR's Executive Order 9066 allowing removal of Japanese citizens from the West Coast would filter down to affect him, since his father was a Japanese-American. (4:14)

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Virgil Westdale was progressing in his flight training when a federal inspector showed up and took his pilot license. No explanation was given but he knew why. His father was Japanese. Then the War Department transferred him to the Army. (6:33)

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The Army had created a special unit comprised of Japanese-Americans to fight in Europe. When Virgil Westdale arrived to join the outfit, they thought he was in the wrong place. He didn't really look Japanese. The erstwhile pilot became an infantryman and headed to Italy. (5:38)

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The poverty in Naples was severe. Virgil Westdale recalls how civilians would scramble to collect the food scraps discarded by the Americans. In Rome, the Pope came out and blessed the GIs but as soon as they left Rome, they faced the withering fire of German 88s. (5:02)

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The closer the Germans retreated toward Germany, the harder they fought. Virgil Westdale was a member of the storied 442nd, a unit comprised solely of Japanese-Americans. It was near the Brenner Pass that they had so many casualties, they were withdrawn to get replacements. (3:55)

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There was a battalion that was lost, cut off and in big trouble. Other units had tried to get to them and failed. It was decided that the 442nd would be sent in. Virgil Westdale was a member of that legendary Combat Team composed of Japanese-Americans. They did not fail. (4:48)