Robert Knoerzer: Medic With The Army of Occupation in Japan

By Nancy Angel, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Robert Knoerzer grew up on the south side of Chicago and attended Mount Carmel High School. He went on to attend Notre Dame University, commuting every day from the south side of Chicago to South Bend on the South Shore Line electric train. His studies in pre-med were interrupted when Uncle Sam called. He was drafted into the U.S Army in September of 1946. In Basic Training, he was initially in the artillery division and was trained in the use of various weapons. In light of the fact that he had been a pre-med major in college, he was ultimately assigned to be a medic. 

Bob was stationed in Japan and, since World War II had ended by that time, he was part of the Army of Occupation. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division Medical Detachment of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion of Ota, Japan. As a medic, he helped to care for and rehabilitate soldiers who were ill, injured or wounded. He worked with survivors of the Hiroshima bombing and soldiers with combat wounds, although the fighting was over by then.  In addition, he assisted military personnel with various other non-combat illnesses and injuries from accidents. He was stationed primarily at Camp Weir, but sometimes traveled around to care for or pick up ill or injured soldiers. Bob recalls that he drove his ambulance around, always accompanied by a soldier. He remembers traveling to many different places, among them Osaka, Niigata, and Yokohama, as well as Tokyo. He often had to transport patients to the hospital in Tokyo, sometimes in his ambulance, but other times by airplane. Depending on the condition and location of the patient, they would radio for a pilot to fly in a Piper Cub to transport the patient to Tokyo.  Bob would accompany the injured soldier and the pilot to the hospital.

Bob enjoyed those flights, particularly the flights back after they had dropped off the patient. He recalls flying over the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, which he says were beautiful from the air. On one memorable flight, the pilot suggested they take a detour and proceeded to fly over Mount Fuji and then down into the crater, which was a spectacular sight. Bob says the pilot was having a ball, and for Bob it was an amazing and extraordinary experience which he has never forgotten. One of the perks of the job, I guess.

Bob says he took care of both American and Japanese soldiers, treating them all equally. He had the opportunity to work with Japanese medics as well. He found the work interesting and rewarding. He enjoyed interacting with the Japanese people and found Japan to be a beautiful country. 

One aspect that he didn’t care for though, was how submissive the Japanese people seemed to feel. Bob recalls that when he or other American soldiers were walking down the street, the Japanese people would bow to them and back away to allow them to pass. It bothered Bob that the Japanese were so deferential to the occupying soldiers. As he said, they were human beings and this was still their country, even though they had lost the war. Overall, he feels that the U.S. Army did a great deal to help Japan to restore their country. 

While in Japan, Bob had the opportunity to tour the Mitsubishi plant in Tokyo, and he saw the actual production line where they manufactured the “Zero,”  Japan’s carrier-based fighter aircraft. There was a runway adjacent to the plant and the American pilots were flying the Zeros to see what their capabilities were compared to the U.S. fighters. They were impressed with how light the Zeros were, along with their maneuverability. The skin of the Zero was so fragile, you could put your finger right through the lining of the plane. 

Robert remained in Japan until his discharge from the Army with the rank of corporal through Camp Stoneman in California. He returned to Chicago and finished college at Loyola University. Although he had enjoyed his work as a medic in the Army, he decided that medicine was not the path for him and didn’t pursue a medical degree. He worked initially in the oil and gas industry, but later switched to real estate and had a very successful career as a realtor, including serving as the president of the Board of Realtors in the south suburbs. He married his wife, Patricia in 1951; they had four children, two boys and two girls. Robert and Patricia frequently enjoy spending time with their children and nine grandchildren in the home they’ve lived in for over 50 years. 

Thank you, Robert, for your service and sacrifice during World War II. Enjoy your well-deserved day of honor in Washington, D.C.!