Services Held in Japan for Enomoto

Author: unknown
Puka Puka Parades, October 1949, vol. 4 no. 5

Details of a veteran killed in action and the services held for him in Japan

An honor guard of American GI’s of the occupation army accompanied the ashes of Corporal Kiyozo Enomoto (B) to the home of his parents, Heisaku Enomoto, 77, and his wife, Haru, 60, in Niigata, Japan, according to press releases reaching our headquarters.

The sequence of happenings which brought the ashes of the late Kiyozo to Japan was started last fall when an ox blocked the road in front of the Enomoto home and a member of the U.S. Army occupation forces had to stop his vehicle.

“Since I knew a bit of English, I expressed the wish that my son’s remains could be delivered to us in Japan. The soldier suggested that I visit the military government team”, Mrs. Enomoto said. “Last September I visited them to present my request. Through the good offices of the Niigata military government team, my son has been returned to me. I am filled with gratitude.

The Enomoto family had moved to Japan from Aiea when Kiyozo was a youngster. He later returned to Aiea where he was employed as a plantation worker prior to being inducted on December 10, 1940. At the time of his death on November 6, 1943 in the vicinity of Santa Maria Oliveto, Italy, the War Department reported he had no next of kin and notification was sent to a friend residing in Aiea.

The parents recalled that the last time they had heard from their son was in the fall of 1941 when he sent a letter to Japan saying that he wanted to help the country of his birth. Mr. Enomoto said, “We received no more letters until 1947 when a letter from his friend in Hawaii told of his death in Italy in 1943. Kiyozo was thoughtful of his parents and was a serious boy. We are satisfied to know that he has rendered eminent service. From now on we hope to concentrate on farming and to comfort his spirit.”