Taira Fukushima oral history interview, August 11, 2008

Taira Fukushima was born on February 8, 1926, in Los Angeles, CA. Taira describes how he gets his name and how his name is confused as a female name.

Taira's father is Buntaro Fukushima, and he was born on August 2, 1881. Taira's father comes from…

Taira Fukushima discusses the importance of family. For example, when he is a student, he gets a paper route job, and with the money earned, he shares it with the family. In the 1930s, there was a notion that tuberculosis was hereditary. By getting…

Taira Fukushima and his brother Jim are together for 442nd and replacements. On the mainland, Taira is a medic aide, and Jim is a litter bearer. Taira has limited training as a medic, but Tech Sergeant Hirata and Sergeant Matsuda give him support…