Private First Class Clarence Peter Cambra

Early Life

From A Large Immigrant Family

Private First Class Clarence Peter Cambra’s Portuguese immigrant parents, Germano “James” and Mary Vierra Cambra moved to Hawaiʻi in 1879 to work as laborers in the sugar industry. After living on the islands of Maui and Hawaiʻi, the family settled in Kaimuki on Oahu, Hawaiʻi.

Peter was the youngest child with four older sisters, Mary, Louise, Rose, and Lucy, and four older brothers, Manuel, Peter, John, and William. His brother, John, moved to Kalaupapa, Molokai, an isolated area where all those diagnosed with leprosy lived. While his two older sisters moved to the mainland following their marriages, Clarence continued to live with his sister, Lucy.

School Year Activities

Cambra attended a private Roman Catholic school, Saint Louis College, today known as Saint Louis School, for the full 12 years of school. For eight of those years, he was an active member of the Holy Name Society, a school-based church organization created for the men of the church as an emotional, spiritual, and physical support group. A star student-athlete, Cambra lead his school to become the reigning champions in track and field.

Honolulu Sports Star

After graduation, Cambra continued with sports, such as soccer and barefoot football. Nicknamed “Toots,” Cambra and his barefoot football sports club team, Pawaa Wonders, became undefeated champions on November 14, 1932. Barefoot football was a popular league sport amongst immigrant kids, which was played to large crowds at Honolulu stadium. Cambra set a record for being able to punt a football into the end zone from the 40-yard line.

Living and Working in Honolulu

Cambra found employment as a timekeeper for the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor. He kept track of meeting times as well as who clocked in and out, and he monitored employee’s schedules to ensure that the military was not wasting money or time. Cambra also traveled to San Francisco to see his older sister, her family, and grandparents when his schedule permitted. 

Homefront

Attack on Oahu

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor and other bases on Oahu, Hawaiʻi. The Japanese purposely targeted the airfields and the harbor knowing the U.S. military used those areas to store various aircraft and possibly some aircraft carriers. The Japanese damaged sixteen ships and destroyed three, damaged 159 aircrafts and destroyed 169 aircraft. The Japanese attack also killed 2,403 people including 68 civilians. An additional 1,178 people were wounded, among them, 35 civilians. The bombing led the United States into World War II.

Mobilizing the Homefront

Filled with disbelief and terror at the prospect that the Hawaiian islands could be bombed again, the civilians in Hawaiʻi made huge contributions to the U.S. war effort. Many volunteers and workers helped restore military ships, as well as repair Pearl Harbor Base to former glory. These contributions helped prep the islands for any fighting or military activity in the Pacific Theatre. Community members contributed through rationing and working with different donation drives to collect materials necessary for the war. Many local men joined the military to fight on the frontlines.

Martial Law

Sadly, the newfound determination led to hysteria. Many Americans feared that those of Japanese descent remained loyal to the Japanese government, acting as spies to the Imperial government. On the mainland, President Franklin D. Roosvelt issued Executive Order 9066, establishing internment camps for Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans. U.S. citizens were forced to live in unsanitary conditions in isolated areas.

Due to the large Japanese immigrant population living in Hawaiʻi, those living in the area experienced harsh lifestyle changes. In Hawaiʻi, martial law called for the territorial government to be temporarily replaced by a military government, which enacted stricter laws restricting people’s usual rights. 

Military Experience

Joining the 106^th Infantry Regiment

The U.S. Army drafted Cambra who enlisted on June 21, 1943, and he completed his basic training at Schofield Barracks on Oahu.

Stationed in Kaneohe, Cambra continued training with the 27^th Infantry Division’s 106^th Infantry Regiment, learning how to traverse obstacle courses, use weapons, and engage in hand to hand combat. Men trained on the beaches and in the jungle. To prepare for island-hopping combat, Cambra’s regiment participated in training at the Waianae Amphibious Training Center for a week to learn about amphibious vehicles and use them in combat.

Preparation for Island Hopping Plan

In November 1943, the 106^th Regimental Combat Team learned of their upcoming participation in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Training from August until December 1943 included a five-day training cruise to Maui. Upon returning from that cruise, Cambra’s regiment learned that their mission had changed slightly. The 1^st Battalion was assigned as a floating reserve unit for the invasion force on Kwajalein.

Operation Catchpole

The 106^th Infantry Regiment’s assigned Operation Catchpole had three phases: Operation Overbuild for Perry Island, Operation Lilac for Jeroru islet, and Operation Begrudge for Eniwetok Atoll. The operation called for the 27^th Division to take control of Enewetak Atoll. The military specifically needed this island due to its proximity to Truk, which had become one of Japan’s most heavily guarded islands and acted as a gateway to Japan. Enewetak Atoll was the perfect spot for an airfield for the American heavy bombers to use as a refueling station. The 1^st and 3^rd Battalions of the 106^th Infantry Regiment sailed for Kwajalein on January 21 as the reserve force.

Battle of Eniwetok

Cambra’s regiment was not needed at Kwajalein and was diverted to Eniwetok on February 15. On February 19, 1944, the 106^th Infantry Regiment arrived off shore of Enewetak Atoll. Upon landing, Company A seized Skunk Point, one of the three corners of the island. According to intelligence collected a month earlier, the military believed the island had minimal Japanese defenses. By the time they arrived to the island, the Japanese had fortified the island. U.S. soldiers landing on the island faced heavy artillery fire. Cambra’s company, along with their U.S. Marine Corps counterparts, quickly requested backup. The men suffered heavy enemy fire as they waited. Amidst the fire, Cambra died during the first day of battle on Eniwetok.

Eulogy

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the island of Oahu. After the attack the United States shifted to war mode by rebuilding its navy and supplies line and increasing its size through the draft.

Cambra enlisted on June 21, 1943, and began his training at Schofield Barracks. Afterward, he was assigned to the 27^th Infantry Division, 106^th Infantry Regiment with his regiment completing beach landing training at the Waianae Amphibious Training Center.

The 27^th Infantry Division’s 106th Infantry Regiment was tasked with taking control of Enewetak Atoll. Enewetak Atoll opened the door to taking Truk, the perfect spot for a heavy bomber planes airfield refueling station and for getting close to Japan.

On February 19, 1944, the 106^th Infantry Regiment arrived at Enewetak Atoll. Company A was to seize Skunk Point. Upon landing, the soldiers were met with extreme enemy fire, and Cambra’s company requested backup. As the men waited or as they disembarked the amphibious vehicle, Cambra died in the early stage of the first day of battle on Enewetak.

Cambra was a very active man, often enjoying his sports, his church and most importantly his family. Even though he didn’t have a wife or any kids of his own, he got to help raise his nieces and nephews since he had lived with his sister Lucy. We are thankful for Private First Class Clarence Peter Cambra’s service to his country and for the ultimate sacrifice he paid for the rights of many.

Reflection

During the Sacrifice for Freedom®: World War II in the Pacific Student & Teacher Institute I learned how to do quality research and to communicate said research to an audience. I learned how to use various research methods and how to use different resources including newspapers, government sites, and the importance of pictures when putting together someone’s life story. Not only did the program help me build my research skills and my ability to pass on information, but the program also taught me how valuable life is and how much the war both gave and took away. Sacrifice for Freedom has given me the opportunity to see what the impact was on the soldiers family and how families can be torn apart, but the program also showed me the many accomplishments for which those same soldiers fought.

I really enjoyed being able to go see the various sites that became important to World War II, especially since even though I live on the island, there are so many things that I had not seen before. For example, I had never even heard of the Japanese Cultural Center, so being able to see the museum and being able to go to Honouliuli was an interesting experience. I was able to see what the internment camp was like. I experienced the same heat that the prisoners experienced and just being in the same spot that the men and women were once in. It was a different experience living on the same island where all these events took place, yet never seeing or knowing about some of the events. This program opened my eyes to the history of my home and the in depth history of World War II. 

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