Author: Brig. Gen. Kendall Fielder (US Army Ret)
Puka Puka Parades, August 1977, vol. 31 no. 4
Copy of Brig. Gen. Kendall Fielder’s keynote speech at the 35th Anniversary Banquet
When chairman Ralph Ikeda asked me to speak tonight, celebrating this 35th Anni versary Reunion I was flattered. But I was at a loss as to know what to talk about, since this is about the fourth time I have had this honor. What type of speech should it be I wondered? Should it be a serious review of all the past glories and honors or a frivilous [sic] one with a lot of corny jokes?
Therefore, an old bromide came to mind. Most of you have heard it I’m sure about what is the ideal speech. Well, it is one like a girl’s bathing suit, “Short enough to be interesting but long enough to cover the essentials.” Mine will be short and I hope cover some of the essentials.
It was suggested to me that since there are some here who do not know me I should reminisce a bit about my military background. So here goes. I came to Hawaii first in 1939 as a [sic] infantry major stationed at Schofield Barracks. Early in 1941 when my tour was about to end, Lt. General Walter Short, the commanding general of the Hawaiian Department, got my tour extended and made me his staff intelligence of ficer. This was in spite of the fact that I had had no experience in that capacity. But, I had graduated from the Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where they make you feel you know everything. You soon find you really don’t know very much.
Anyway, when December 7 came and war broke out I had been in Hawaii long enough to learn quite a bit about the people. Particularly the young men, since by that time I was a brigade executive officer and directly involved with National Guard training. Many University of Hawaii boys and others were in the National Guard and they comprised a nucleus for what was to be the 100th Infantry Battalion I got to know some of them personally.
The point I want to make is that it was my privilege and duty to be serving in a position affecting the decision that permitted the 100th Inf Bn to come into being. In fact I was ordered back to Washington to convince General George Marshall that the formation of a unit of Americans of Japanese ancestry was a sound procedure.
As I have said many times and I repeat tonight, my belief in their loyalty and integrity was somewhat influenced by Hung Wai Ching, Charlie Loomis, John Burns and most of all by General Short who strongly believed they would be 100 percent patri otic. He really planted the seed.
Incidentally, when Gen, Short was relieved after Dec 7 his successor almost re placed me. He was convinced that any person with Japanese blood would be pro-Japa nese. He argued that of the half million people in Hawaii with 160,000 or about 1/3 in that category, sabotage and espionage was inevitable. My argument was that al though we had 40,000 aliens here, many had progressed to become prosperous tradesmen and businessmen under our democracy. They had been here a long time and their chil dren and grandchildren were 100 percent Americans, and a lot of their sons were in our armed forces. He actually wanted to intern them all. All that was necessary was to ask him how and where it could be done, particularly since the country’s war ef fort was then oriented toward Europe. A compromise resulted and the Consular Agents and a few well known pro-Japanese were interned.
When the war ended I was ordered to Washington for duty, after two years, was sent right back here to supervise the Army’s civilian components — the National Guard, Organized Reserves and ROTC units. This was really great for it let me re new wartime contacts and friendships. Then as my last active duty assignment I was appointed Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of US Army Pacific which lasted until I retired in 1953.
It all adds up to some 15 years service in Hawaii, probably some kind or record. So, after all that it was not a tough decision to forego Georgia and select Honolulu for my retirement.
It really does not seem like I have been retired 24 years, nor does it seem like 35 years since Club 100 was conceived. I remember well when in early June 1942 a ship sailed from Honolulu with some 1,400 men and about 30 officers aboard with Farrant Turner their revered Commanding Officer. This group was to become a provi sional battalion and forerunner of the renowned 100th Battalion. I understand that while training in Wisconsin the idea was born to form a post war organization to perpetuate the bonds of friendship formed during war days, and what a wonderful or ganization it has turned out to be. I have had the pleasure of knowing many of the club presidents, particularly Doc Kometani, Mits Fukuda, Jim Lovell, and Sakae Takahashi.
I well remember how pleased I was to be elected an honorary member along with General Mark Clark. I also remember vividly when in 1944 I had the honor of pre senting posthumous decorations to the parents of members of the battalion who were killed in action.
Thus my associations with Club 100 have been many and varied and I hope the fu ture holds many more. I always look forward to the club functions for it is pleasant to renew old friendships and make new ones. I bump into club members often. I see Doc Kometani regularly at Waialae Country Club, and nearly every time I go to the Navy Commissary I see Taro Suzuki. He’s probably a chow hound and maybe, I am one also.
A few years ago we had golf matches between Club 100 and the 442nd Veterans. They were fun but we always seemed to be outgunned although we had a pretty fair country group of hustlers. In those days I thought I played good golf but I managed to get clobbered by the likes of Masato Doi and company. If these matches are ever renewed we should demand higher handicaps.
I have a lot of fond memories of bygone days. One of which I have told before but I still chuckle when I think of it. It had to do with how Doc Kometani got in the service. Kome came to me and wanted to get in the worst way. I explained that the table of organization did not call for a Dental Officer in a battalion and any way, he was too old. I don’t remember what title we gave him (probably Recreation Officer) but he was one happy guy and everything turned out okay.
Another of my fond memories I have never made public, but it is amusing so I thought I would tell it tonight. This has to do with the time President Harry Tru man reviewed the 442nd upon their triumphant return from Europe. A directive fil tered down from the Pentagon to prepare the President’s remarks. You can guess who got the job — not the Commanding General, not the Chief of Staff, but poor little me — the G-2, I suffered long hours writing and rewriting the three minute speech. The opening sentence went something like this: “It is with the greatest pleasure and utmost pride that I greet you face to face today?” I felt flattered when the presi dent read it verbatim until I realized he never saw it before it was handed to him as he stepped on the platform.
I could stand here and ramble on for some time for my associations with this group have been many, pleasant and varied. But I promised my speech would not be long, so let me close with this request. Never, but never let the spirit that joins this group together pass into oblivion. Rather, let that spirit pass on to your children and grandchildren.
The Keynote Message At The 35th Anniversary Banquet June 11, 1977
by Brig. Gen. Kendall F. Fielder (US Army Ret)
When chairman Ralph Ikeda asked me to speak tonight, celebrating this 35th Anni versary Reunion I was flattered. But I was at a loss as to know what to talk about, since this is about the fourth time I have had this honor. What type of speech should it be I wondered? Should it be a serious review of all the past glories and honors or a frivilous [sic] one with a lot of corny jokes?
Therefore, an old bromide came to mind. Most of you have heard it I’m sure about what is the ideal speech. Well, it is one like a girl’s bathing suit, “Short enough to be interesting but long enough to cover the essentials.” Mine will be short and I hope cover some of the essentials.
It was suggested to me that since there are some here who do not know me I should reminisce a bit about my military background. So here goes. I came to Hawaii first in 1939 as a [sic] infantry major stationed at Schofield Barracks. Early in 1941 when my tour was about to end, Lt. General Walter Short, the commanding general of the Hawaiian Department, got my tour extended and made me his staff intelligence of ficer. This was in spite of the fact that I had had no experience in that capacity. But, I had graduated from the Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where they make you feel you know everything. You soon find you really don’t know very much.
Anyway, when December 7 came and war broke out I had been in Hawaii long enough to learn quite a bit about the people. Particularly the young men, since by that time I was a brigade executive officer and directly involved with National Guard training. Many University of Hawaii boys and others were in the National Guard and they comprised a nucleus for what was to be the 100th Infantry Battalion I got to know some of them personally.
The point I want to make is that it was my privilege and duty to be serving in a position affecting the decision that permitted the 100th Inf Bn to come into being. In fact I was ordered back to Washington to convince General George Marshall that the formation of a unit of Americans of Japanese ancestry was a sound procedure.
As I have said many times and I repeat tonight, my belief in their loyalty and integrity was somewhat influenced by Hung Wai Ching, Charlie Loomis, John Burns and most of all by General Short who strongly believed they would be 100 percent patri otic. He really planted the seed.
Incidentally, when Gen, Short was relieved after Dec 7 his successor almost re placed me. He was convinced that any person with Japanese blood would be pro-Japa nese. He argued that of the half million people in Hawaii with 160,000 or about 1/3 in that category, sabotage and espionage was inevitable. My argument was that al though we had 40,000 aliens here, many had progressed to become prosperous tradesmen and businessmen under our democracy. They had been here a long time and their chil dren and grandchildren were 100 percent Americans, and a lot of their sons were in our armed forces. He actually wanted to intern them all. All that was necessary was to ask him how and where it could be done, particularly since the country’s war ef fort was then oriented toward Europe. A compromise resulted and the Consular Agents and a few well known pro-Japanese were interned.
When the war ended I was ordered to Washington for duty, after two years, was sent right back here to supervise the Army’s civilian components — the National Guard, Organized Reserves and ROTC units. This was really great for it let me re new wartime contacts and friendships. Then as my last active duty assignment I was appointed Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of US Army Pacific which lasted until I retired in 1953.
It all adds up to some 15 years service in Hawaii, probably some kind or record. So, after all that it was not a tough decision to forego Georgia and select Honolulu for my retirement.
It really does not seem like I have been retired 24 years, nor does it seem like 35 years since Club 100 was conceived. I remember well when in early June 1942 a ship sailed from Honolulu with some 1,400 men and about 30 officers aboard with Farrant Turner their revered Commanding Officer. This group was to become a provi sional battalion and forerunner of the renowned 100th Battalion. I understand that while training in Wisconsin the idea was born to form a post war organization to perpetuate the bonds of friendship formed during war days, and what a wonderful or ganization it has turned out to be. I have had the pleasure of knowing many of the club presidents, particularly Doc Kometani, Mits Fukuda, Jim Lovell, and Sakae Takahashi.
I well remember how pleased I was to be elected an honorary member along with General Mark Clark. I also remember vividly when in 1944 I had the honor of pre senting posthumous decorations to the parents of members of the battalion who were killed in action.
Thus my associations with Club 100 have been many and varied and I hope the fu ture holds many more. I always look forward to the club functions for it is pleasant to renew old friendships and make new ones. I bump into club members often. I see Doc Kometani regularly at Waialae Country Club, and nearly every time I go to the Navy Commissary I see Taro Suzuki. He’s probably a chow hound and maybe, I am one also.
A few years ago we had golf matches between Club 100 and the 442nd Veterans. They were fun but we always seemed to be outgunned although we had a pretty fair country group of hustlers. In those days I thought I played good golf but I managed to get clobbered by the likes of Masato Doi and company. If these matches are ever renewed we should demand higher handicaps.
I have a lot of fond memories of bygone days. One of which I have told before but I still chuckle when I think of it. It had to do with how Doc Kometani got in the service. Kome came to me and wanted to get in the worst way. I explained that the table of organization did not call for a Dental Officer in a battalion and any way, he was too old. I don’t remember what title we gave him (probably Recreation Officer) but he was one happy guy and everything turned out okay.
Another of my fond memories I have never made public, but it is amusing so I thought I would tell it tonight. This has to do with the time President Harry Tru man reviewed the 442nd upon their triumphant return from Europe. A directive fil tered down from the Pentagon to prepare the President’s remarks. You can guess who got the job — not the Commanding General, not the Chief of Staff, but poor little me — the G-2, I suffered long hours writing and rewriting the three minute speech. The opening sentence went something like this: “It is with the greatest pleasure and utmost pride that I greet you face to face today?” I felt flattered when the presi dent read it verbatim until I realized he never saw it before it was handed to him as he stepped on the platform.
I could stand here and ramble on for some time for my associations with this group have been many, pleasant and varied. But I promised my speech would not be long, so let me close with this request. Never, but never let the spirit that joins this group together pass into oblivion. Rather, let that spirit pass on to your children and grandchildren.