A Soul Lost in a Faraway Jungle – Part 1

Sep 20

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Koji Kanemoto had members of his family in both the military and home front on both sides of the Pacific. For a unique look into life at that time, please read this amazing blog series. For information on Leyte simply move on to Part 2.
Thank you

Masako and Spam Musubi

e smith Photo by Eugene Smith, USMC

A mother during World War II could suffer no greater anguish than receiving a telegram that her son was not killed but rather, deemed missing in action.

One irony rests with the fact we were the victors in World War II.  While certainly not in all instances, we have a large percentage of intact battle records – and survivors – to help identify (or locate) remains largely because we were victors.

For us here in the US, roughly 420,000 are deemed as killed in action during World War II.  However, at one time, there were roughly 80,000 classified as missing in action.  There is a second irony here.  As seen in the solemn photograph above, parts of a vibrant yet unidentifiable son were brought to this battlefield cemetery for burial.  In other words, we have his remains; his name, however, is not on the grave marker. …

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on September 20, 2021, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 60 Comments.

  1. Lavinia Ross | October 11, 2021 at 4:48 PM

    They were all sons and daughters, no matter which side they came from. Thank you for presenting the anguish of both sides, GP and Mr. Kanemoto.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Eternity | October 8, 2021 at 6:02 PM

    Thanks for your continued likes of my posts on Revelation; you are very kind.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Aero | October 3, 2021 at 8:02 AM

    I follow this blog already a wile and it’s a real pleasure, a must to have and added value to know the history by a particular and well documented perspective,

    Very good blog

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Eternity | October 1, 2021 at 4:20 PM

    Thanks for your like of my Revelation 20 post; you are very kind.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Jennie | September 25, 2021 at 7:49 AM

    MIA is the saddest of all, as there is no closure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. derrickjknight | September 21, 2021 at 7:00 AM

    One of the greatest tragedies of war.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. shoreacres | September 21, 2021 at 6:20 AM

    What a fascinating read. War is war, people are people, and the longing to know what happened to those who disappeared into the fog of war knows no boundaries. One odd note: when I read the post, I noticed the name ‘Michie.’ I knew that I’d heard the name before, but couldn’t remember where. Finally, I got it. In an episode of NCIS, a little Asian girl went by that name. At the time, I thought it was odd, but apparently it’s a common name in some cultures.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Gypsy Bev | September 20, 2021 at 9:23 PM

    It seems important to know where and how a family member died. These poor souls were just lost to everyone since they had little identification. Nice that they were able to locate some information about his unit.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. salsaworldtraveler | September 20, 2021 at 7:56 PM

    Thanks for introducing me to Mr. Kanemoto’s blog! The amount of work in his posts is amazing. I’ve read a couple and am looking forward to exploring some of his other posts.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. natuurfreak3 | September 20, 2021 at 4:32 PM

    It was a fantastic story to read

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. beetleypete | September 20, 2021 at 11:28 AM

    I read both parts, as it is always very interesting to read the accounts of the ‘other side’ concerning world wars. It is also important to see behind the brutality and atrocities carried out by many Japanese troops, and to realise that many were simply reluctant conscripts.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. Jacqui Murray | September 20, 2021 at 9:58 AM

    That picture is heart-wrenching.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. equipsblog | September 20, 2021 at 8:07 AM

    Fascinating story, GP. Thanks for sharing it with us–we need to see other points of view.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. swabby429 | September 20, 2021 at 7:49 AM

    Thank you for the link. Reading other points of view is rewarding and eye-opening.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. beth | September 20, 2021 at 7:15 AM

    Quite a man, indeed

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more | September 20, 2021 at 7:11 AM

    Thank you for the informaton, GP! Will head over to read. Have a beautiful week! xx Michael

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. The Tactical Hermit | September 20, 2021 at 6:55 AM

    Wow! Thanks for leading me to the Masko blog GP! That is a Pacific WW2 Historian’s jackpot!👍

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  21. Dan Antion | September 20, 2021 at 6:50 AM

    Thanks for pointing this out for us.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  24. GP | September 21, 2021 at 2:28 PM

    It’s a shame that I am unable to comment on the site talking about the rescue at Los Banos. Pacific Paratrooper is dedicated to the 11th Airborne Division who accomplished that feat.

    Like

    Reply

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