Company C
Yoshio Anzai was born in Keahua, Maui, and later made his life in Aiea, Hawaiʻi. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, and assigned to the storied 100th Infantry Battalion, serving in Company C.
Wartime Service
Anzai’s journey with the 100th began when the battalion, composed largely of Nisei soldiers from Hawaiʻi, was formed in 1942. He trained stateside at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and later at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, preparing for deployment overseas.
In his oral history interview, Anzai spoke openly about his experiences in combat. He remembered helping other soldiers write letters home when they were in the thick of battle — a small but deeply human role, keeping connections to home alive even amid war. A number of the soldiers had Issei parents who only understood the Japanese language and Anzai was able to write letters to these parents using Japanese characters because of his education in Japan.
He fought through some of the fiercest campaigns of the European Theater: the Naples–Foggia front, the campaign at Anzio, and later in the Vosges Mountains, including the hard-fought area around Bruyères and Biffontaine.
At Anzio, in particular, Anzai’s unit endured grueling combat. In his interview, he described the stress of trenches, constant movement, and the relentless demand for vigilance.
Honors and Recognition
According to the 100th Battalion’s records, Anzai earned several commendations for his service: he was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, and received the Distinguished Unit Badge. He was also wounded in action, as noted in battalion rosters.
Postwar Life
After the war, Anzai returned to Hawaiʻi. He worked as a carpenter, building and repairing houses, and enjoyed and excelled at the art of bonsai. He married Chiyono Omiya and raised three children, Cynthia, Bert and Irene Anzai, who would later serve in leadership roles in the 100th Infantry Battalion veteran’s organization.”
His children describe him as the kindest and wisest father they could ever have hoped for. He lived a full life and passed away on July 10, 2004, at the age of 87, in Aiea.
Legacy
Through his wartime service, Anzai was part of the larger story of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the “One Puka Puka,” which proved its valor in Europe despite the discrimination its soldiers faced back home. His own reflections, preserved in oral history, help us understand not just the tactics and battles, but the human dimensions of war — the letters, the camaraderie, the small acts of care that undergirded survival.
His memory lives on in the 100th Battalion Veterans organization, where his daughter, Irene, and many others keep alive the stories of those who served.