Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Young Oak’s strength

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 10:39 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

AS ANY FARM BOY from the Midwest can tell you, there's nothing more enduring than a house or barn made from oak trees. When it comes to having a fire in the stove during long winter nights nothing burns hotter or longer than oak. It's these qualities that Young Oak Kim's parents must have had in mind when they named their son.

Kim, now a Las Vegan, was raised during the Great Depression in what was then a tough part of Los Angeles. I met him several years ago when the late Wilson Makabe of Reno succeeded in having a gathering of the 100th/442nd Japanese American combat veterans in Reno. During that meeting the respect Kim was shown by his former comrades caught my eye. Because of the high regard I've had for these men since watching them train at Camp McCoy, Wis., their closeness to Kim was impressive.

The combat heroics of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe have long been recognized by our country. These units, made up of American-born Japanese, known as Nisei, were the most decorated U.S. combat outfits of World War II. They were awarded 9,486 Purple Hearts and 680 were killed in action. They also earned a Medal of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, a Distinguished Service Medal, 588 Silver Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 19 Soldier's Medals, 5,200 Bronze Stars and 14 Croix de Guerre from a grateful France.

The distinguished service of these Americans was especially impressive because many of them had earlier been held in detention camps by the order of their own government. All of them left relatives behind in detention camps, where the government continued to hold them.

So how did this Korean American, drafted in 1941, become part of this famous outfit? Let author Masayo Umezawa Duus tell us in her book "Unlikely Liberators." Kim had earned a chance to enter Officer Candidate School, graduated a second lieutenant and been assigned to the 100th Battalion. Duus writes:

" 'Two days later, when the battalion returned from the field, Lieutenant Colonel Turner called Kim in.

" 'You're Korean American, aren't you?'

" 'Yes sir.'

" 'The War Department seems to have made a mistake. They can't tell the difference between Japanese Americans and Korean Americans. I'll get to work on a transfer for you right away.'

" 'What for, sir?'

" 'You should know. This battalion is made up only of Japanese Americans.'

" 'Yes sir, I understand.'

" 'You know that Japanese and Koreans don't get along together, don't you?'

" 'Yes sir. But I am an American, and the Japanese Americans are too. We all have the same reason for going to war. I think I'd like to stay in the battalion, sir.'

"He spoke out of one side of his mouth. His tone was flat and quiet, but his voice had strength and an undertone of tenacity.

"Lieutenant Colonel Turner peered steadily at Kim from behind his rimless glasses. A number of Chinese Americans and Korean Americans had been sent to the unit before, but all of them had asked to be transferred out right away.

" 'Well, if that's what you say, then let's try it out for a while. But you'll have to get along well with the troops.'

" 'Yes sir.'

"As he was leaving, Kim added with a slight smile, 'They will have to get along with me too.' "

Not only did Kim stay, according to the book "Go For Broke," "He became captain of E Company, then executive officer of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Capt. Kim earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters (w3olc), the Presidential Unit Citation (w2olc), and the Combat Infantryman Badge."

During the Korean War, Kim was back in action as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Again his toughness and insight resulted in more decorations and the respect of all who served with him. Last week, when traveling with him in Korea, it was obvious that his presence commanded the respect of both American and Korean diplomats and soldiers. His contributions during discussions continue to come from a mind that is both deep and incisive.

In June the Japanese American combat veterans of WWII plus one Korean American will gather in Las Vegas. Among the hosts will be our own Colonel (retired) Young Oak Kim. The strength of this American Oak continues to amaze all who know him.