Susumu Ito oral history interview, January 23, 2000

Ito begins his interview with recollections of his childhood in Stockton, California. He describes his experiences in primary and secondary school and auto-mechanic school, before being drafted into the Army in 1940.

Ito discusses attending Japanese language school as a child and his reasons for not enlisting as an interpreter in World War II. He discusses being drafted into the military and being assigned non-military jobs at the camp he was stationed. He…

Ito recalls what his life was like after the attack on Pearl Harbor. His family was relocated to Stockton Concentration Camp, while he was assigned to fix trucks for the artillery battalion. Instead of following his mother's request to stay away from…

Ito explains the relationship between the mainland and Hawaii boys during basic training. He also talks about the time when he visited his family at the Rohwer Concentration Camp.

Ito continues talking about visiting the Rohwer Concentration Camp. He describes the journey overseas to Italy, as well as his travels through Italy and their first contact with the German army. He also talks about watching propaganda films before…

Ito talks of his promotion to a commissioned officer a few days before the Rescue of the Lost Battalion. He describes the days leading up to the rescue -- artillery fire with the Germans, digging foxholes, and making advancements. He also describes…

Ito continues to describe the Rescue of the Lost Battalion. He talks about the Japanese good luck charm (Sennibari) that his mother made him, which he kept with him through the entirety of his military service. He discusses the gratitude expressed…

Ito talks about the atrocities of the Dachau Concentration Sub camp. He explains that while in Germany, he felt that the war was coming to an end, and how he had been looking forward to returning home. Upon returning home, he went back to school to…