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Mike DiRocco

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Going to Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mike DiRocoo was given some intelligence on what to expect. When he finally made it to the jungle, though, life with the natives proved to be a more interesting experience than he expected. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/) (9:43)

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Being embedded into the deep jungles of Southeast Asia, Mike DiRocco and a dozen other Americans were tasked with defeating the Viet Cong with the help of the native tribes of Montagnards. To assist them, they were supplied using the CIA’s clandestine airline, Air America. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/) (6:06)

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During his second tour in Vietnam, Mike DiRocco would be performing many of the same duties, but this time they would be focusing on preparing the people to defend themselves as the Americans prepared to withdraw from Southeast Asia. He wouldn’t leave the country unscathed, though. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas.- https://theveteransmuseum.org/) (7:01)

Mike Doi

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Mike Doi was drafted into the Army to serve as a medic, and spent some time at Camp Blanding as one. When the 442nd Regimental Combat Team needed replacements, he was reassigned and found himself en route to Europe for the war. (2:17)

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Mike Doi's family was caught up in the American effort to restrict Japanese-Americans to internment camps. His two brothers were draft eligible, and he describes what happened to them before he left the country, as well as a brief recollection of his short stint visiting one of these camps. (2:44)

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Shortly after arriving in Europe, Mike Doi and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were sent into France to push out the German forces that had been occupying. The fighting was devastating, with mortar and artillery fire creating an extreme hazard as they ripped through the trees around them. Mike recalls going in to rescue men of the 36th Infantry Division who found themselves in a tough situation. (3:54)

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In a chance happening, Mike had an encounter with some people from back home after the battle, while on leave in Nice, France. They thought he had been killed. (1:44)

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After they regrouped, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was back on the move to push out some remaining German forces. Back towards Italy, Mike Doi encountered a last contingency of old men and young boys, the last of the regular German Army. As the war came to a close, he was left to watch over these prisoners in a Milan work camp. (2:00)

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Mike Doi describes his experience as a Japanese-American during WWII, and the relationship the 442nd Regimental Combat Team had with the 36th Infantry Division they served alongside. (1:17)

Mike Durant

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Mike Durant recalls his early life and desire to be in aviation from a young age. Going through training taught him a lot and equipped him for his first experience in combat. (4:57)