Yoshiro Tokiwa oral history interview, October 14, 2007

Yoshiro "Yosh" Tokiwa is born on April 29, 1925, in Pismo, California. Yoshiro's Issei parents are from Japan. In Salinas, CA, his father is an independent farmer. Yoshiro has four siblings, three brothers, and a sister.

Growing up in Salinas,…

When Pearl Harbor is bombed on December 7, 1941, the lives of the Tokiwa family change. Yoshiro Tokiwa discusses the aftermath of the attack.

Few days after the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese Americans' status changes to 4C, enemy aliens. In…

At Camp Shelby, Yoshiro Tokiwa describes the living conditions and meals. He leaves Camp Shelby to go to Fort Meade. Yoshiro receives orders to go overseas to join the 442nd.

He travels overseas on USS Washington. The voyage takes two weeks for…