90 days after becoming a GI, I was advised that I could become a US citizen rather than wait the required 5 years. I wanted to very much, but since I hardly could speak English, I decided that the least I owe to the US is to learn to speak English before I become an American.
I therefore began to study English and the US Constitution and American history.
My English progressed very slowly because on account of my other languages, I hardly spoke it with my companions. Eventually I decided that I was about ready and mentioned it to one of our sergeants. He became quite excited about it and for my exam, offered to drive me to the Honolulu courthouse in his car rather than me taking the bus alone.
A judge at the courthouse asked me a few questions. At one point he asked me to write: I want to be an American, however I wrote: I won't to be an American. I looked at him and his face indicated that I wrote with a mistake, however he would not say anything else, just cringing his face. I carefully looked at him pointing at each of my written words. Pointing at AMERICAN, he shook his head negatively, at the word BE he again reacted cringed his face, but finally pointing at WON'T his head went up and down... so, watching his face, I removed the apostrophe... without saying a word, he indicated that I was on the right track but not enough, I then changed the O for an A, making it WANT, and he said good. I was sweating all over (remember no a/c at that time). He then asked me: WHO IS THE PRESIDENT ? so I began telling him the voting process, but he stopped me repeating: WHO IS THE RESIDENT ?...and with my heavily accented English, I proceeded with the electoral system... again he stops me, puts his hand on my arm and asks: WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? and here I realize that all he wants is the name... so I say EISENHOWER... at which point he gets up, shakes my hand and says: CONGRATULATIONS. I was elated.
Since I needed two witnesses, there were two sergeants waiting for my results. They signed a paper and drove me back to Fort Shafter.
The swearing ceremony was October 20, 1955, I got dressed up in a clean army uniform, buckles shining, shiny shoes, etc. and again they drove me to the courthouse. I joined about twenty citizen applicants in the courthouse room. We all stood up, raised our right hand and repeated the words after the judge.
I still have the citizenship certificate, it's from the district of Hawaii. Oh yes, I also see my photo, it's barely a few points better than a mugshot, I have my GI uniform on, see the attachment!
I would not be surprised if the 30 cent bus ticket I saved is the one I would have used to get to the Honolulu courthouse!
Citizenship Photo
