A. Otani discusses his family background with his Issei father and Nisei mother. He talks about his youth in Hawaii and his experiences in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. He shares anecdotes regarding: FBI taking his father away;…
Akira Otani and the interviewers introduce themselves. Otani shares his parent's backstories. He talks about what his father did for work. He describes his father's personality. He discusses Kakaako, Hawaii. He lists his siblings. He describes his…
A. Otani discusses his experiences working in Occupied Japan. He describes his assignment and living accommodations; and social aspects of Japan at that time. He shares anecdotes regarding: visiting his father's hometown, visiting relatives, and…
Akira Otani describes his experiences in Japanese language school. He explains why he did so much walking as a child. He shares the values that he received from his parents. He talks about his involvement in sports. He describes memorable teachers.…
Akira Otani continues to talk about his father's arrest. He also talks about how Japanese Americans were under surveillance following the Pearl Harbor attack. He describes volunteering for the military. He discusses his father's imprisonment. He…
Akira Otani continues to talk about the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He describes joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He discusses an assembly at the Iolani Palace. He talks about leaving Hawaii and his journey to the Mainland. He describes…
Akira Otani talks about the fate of his father's wholesale business after his father was arrested. He continues to talk about training replacement soldiers. He discusses his rank. He describes his time in Officer Candidate School. He talks about…
Akira Otani continues to talk about how he ensured that his father safely returned to Hawaii. He also talks about reuniting with his family. He shares his father's feelings toward the United States government after his imprisonment. He discusses his…
Akira Otani continues to talk about his marriage. He talks about working with his father in their wholesale business. He discusses his children. He lists his wife's employment ventures. He talks about his family's wholesale business. Otani leaves a…
Turner begins the interview talking about his father, who was born in Hilo and would work at the Waialua sugar plantation. He talks about the rest of his family and their background, before talking about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii. Growing…
Turner talks more about growing up in Hawaii, including being a part of the boy scouts. After this he jumps forward and speaks about his marriage background. Next, he talks about his father, as he was in the National Guard and would be summoned back…
Turner talks more about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, and the formation of a provisional Battalion, that would end up being the 100th Infantry Battalion. He talks about the various local leaders, competing to be the commander of the 100th and his…
Turner talks about his time after high school, attending West Point with the referral of a military delegate. After this, he talks about speaking with his father when he came back from the war and the advice that he gave him, that he would have a…
Turner talks about the Korean War and the intervention and combat with the Chinese in Ursan, where they sustained heavy casualties along the 38th Parallel. After this, he talks about his war experiences in Vietnam, going in helicopters and…
Turner talks about the 100th club and his involvement with the veterans. After this, he talks about his father's perspective of the 100th Infantry Battalion and how it was the most important part of his life. Next, he gives a message for future…
Ishimoto begins the interview talking about his whereabouts when he first heard of the surrender of Japan. At this time, he was already beginning preparations to move into Japan for scheduled invasions, and therefore, when shipped to Japan, he would…
Ishimoto continues his discussion on the importance of Nisei linguists during the military occupation of Japan. He talks about the various campaigns and things that the MIS had to deal with, that were much more than just interpreting and translating.…
Arthur Nishimoto begins the interview talking about his childhood home and what it was like to grow up in Honolulu, Hawaii. He then talks about his family background, including his father, who was a top car salesman for Chevrolet and Ford. After…
Nishimoto talks about meeting his wife during his junior year of high school and the activities they used to do for fun. He also talks about going to Japanese language school for a few years, where he would learn discipline and leadership. He would…
Nishimoto discusses facing discrimination when in the South, taking leave in Mississippi and seeing all the segregation between white and colored. Next, he talks about his decision to join the Army, volunteering with friends, not even telling his…
Nishimoto talks more about his time at Camp Shelby for his basic training, including the mental and physical challenges and the inner spirit that made the Nisei soldiers so balanced. He also talks about the responsibilities of being a sergeant and…
Nishimoto talks more about his war experiences, including seeing German soldiers and the weapons that they used. He talks about his dislike for snipers and wanting to catch one so that he could take care of him himself. Another assignment included…
Nishimoto talks more about his war experiences, including learning some Italian and even seeing the Pope. After this, he talks about the rescue of the Lost Battalion, dealing with extreme darkness and heavy casualties. Next, he speaks about the…
Following the end of the war, Nishimoto would return to Hawaii and join the 442nd reserves. He would then be called for active duty again for the Korean War, and would be on assignment in Japan. He would join the Military Intelligence Service with…
Hada discusses growing up in Hawaii, living on a sugar plantation, and his hobbies. He also talks about his parents, and discusses having to take care of his siblings and help out with household chores after his mother passed away. After high school,…
Hada discusses getting drafted into the Army and basic training at Schofield barracks. Hada was at Schofield Barracks during the attack on Pearl Harbor and describes seeing airplanes flying overhead. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hada had…
Hada discusses going to Camp Shelby, and not traveling into town because he felt there was discrimination against Japanese Americans. After Camp Shelby, Hada went to Louisiana Maneuvers, where he had an assignment making dog tags. Hada then talks…
Hada discusses his relationship with Spark Matsunaga, receiving the Silver Star medal, and what it was like being out on the ridge alone during his forward observer assignment. He then talks about getting trench foot and being sent to a hospital in…
Takekawa talks about his father and his various occupations, and discusses his mother, siblings, and growing up in Hawaii. He also talks about some of the recreational activities and games he played as a child, friendships, and discusses attending…
Takekawa discusses memorable teachers from his school days, playing sports, and high school activities including becoming class president. He then talks about going to college and studying to become a physical education teacher and his experiences…
Takekawa discusses getting kicked out of the Hawaii Territorial Guard and the formation of the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He then talks about incarceration camps in Hawaii, volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and traveling to the…
Takekawa talks about Earl Finch, discusses his participation in the 171st Training Battalion, going to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning; and his assignment at a training regiment in Fort McClellan. Next, Takekawa went to Military…
Takekawa discusses his assignment in Okinawa training police officers in the Provost Marshal’s office; and talks about his wife, life in Okinawa, getting discharged, and returning to Hawaii. He then talks about working as a sales manager in…
Okubo discusses his birthplace and date of birth. His parents are Issei from Japan. Okubo is the oldest of his siblings and he makes toys to play with them. They would also go watch American and Japanese movies. Okubo learns about Japan and Japanese…
Okubo recalls December 7, 1941 and his high school graduation. After high school, he works in the hotel business and the Big Five before joining the military in May of 1942. He contributes attending Japanese Language School for 12 years helped him…
Okubo discusses how Hawaii is fortunate that there is no interment camps like the Mainland after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. However, the Japanese Community Leaders and Buddhist Priests are rounded up. Okubo reflects why this…
Okubo discusses basic training at Camp Savage, Fort Snelling and Camp Blanding. When Okubo receives a furlough, he goes to New York. In New York he goes sight seeing, and watches an ice skating show.
Okubo discusses his interpreter experience and interrogation tactics with the Prisoners of War at Palau. Okubo is at Palau for two to three weeks before moving to the next invasion.
The next assignment for Okubo is psychological warfare. He…
Okubo discusses Guadalcanal, Marshall Islands and his duties of getting the Prisoners of War (POW) ready to ship back to Japan. Preliminary investigation of Unites States soldiers' casualty postpones Okubo from being discharge. Soon after, Okubo…
Okubo discusses the orders of secrecy during World War Two. After 30 years of the war, Okubo is allowed to talk about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He believes the Military Intelligence Service interpreting and translating the Japanese…
Yamasaki begins the interview talking about how his family came from Japan to Hawaii. As his parents were born in Hawaii, he was a sansei, and would speak very little Japanese at home. His father would help to get him into a private elite school,…
Higashino and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his parents. He describes what it was like to grow up in a household with three generations of family. He discusses his educational background. He shares his knowledge of Japanese.…
Higashino describes photographs shown on camera. He continues to talk about Japanese language school. He describes his cultural heritage. He discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He talks about his journey to the Mainland and…
Higashino talks about his interpretation and interrogation work. He describes his return to New Delhi. He discusses volunteering to go to China. He talks about his return to the United States. He shares his other memories of South East Asia. He…
Takao discuss his prefecture origin and familial description. He shares childhood memory, favorite types of movies, and religion. Takao attends Japanese Language School growing up. He works at a cannery during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and…
Takao discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and going to the mainland for basic training. Takao and five friends volunteer and only himself and a friend is selected. Takao is assign to Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Platoon…
Takao discusses going to Camp Savage, Camp Anza, and going overseas to India. He shares the experience on the ship of 3,000 servicemen and entertaining the troops and ship crew. Takao experiences cultural shock when landing in India. At New Delhi, he…
Takao discusses the sentiment of Japanese soldiers from the eyes of a Burmese boy. During the Chinese Burma Theater, Takao translates the Japanese soldiers diary and there are numerous mention of comfort women. Takao participates in propaganda,…
Takao discusses returning home and faces prejudice when trying to apply for a job. Takao goes to the University of Hawaii and becomes active in politics. Daniel Inouye influences Takao and a few others to go to law school. Takao discusses his 26…
Matsuo discusses about growing up in Aala Park and his family. He details about Sansei and Yonsei, as well as his experiences growing up poor. Matsuo also discusses about his current state in life.
Matsuo discusses Sanseis and his upbringing. He details about his first job and the rest of his career path. Matsuo also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its' aftermath, and being drafted.
Matsuo discusses about what he learned from being a Mess Sergeant. He details life after being discharged. Matsuo also discusses about starting and running his own business.
Matsuo discusses about becoming a Republican and a Ambassador of Good Will for Hawaii. He details about his wife and children. Matsuo also discusses about thoughts of giving up and persevering; he also gives his closing remarks.
Ida begins the interview talking about his family background and his father and mother coming from Japan and settling in Hawaii. He would attend Mid-Pacific Institute while his father worked at the Japanese consulate and his mother did laundry. Next,…
Ida continues to talk about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including purchasing a home after high school. He also talks about living in a small town and knowing everybody, while he would attend both english and Japanese school. He talks about…
Ida talks more about his high school education at Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii, where he would play tennis and baseball. After graduation, he would work for the St. Louis Club until the attacks on Pearl Harbor occurred. He talks about seeing…
Ida talks more about volunteering for the Army, going into Schofield Barracks where he would be given the title acting sergeant. He would head to the mainland, landing first in San Francisco before taking the train down to Camp Shelby in Mississippi.…
Ida talks more about his experiences at Camp Shelby, eating fried chicken and catfish at the local restaurants. Shortly after, they would be sent overseas in a convoy, first landing in Oran before arriving in Naples. They would head up to…
Ida continues to talk about the Champagne Campaign and the rest and relaxation they got, not needing to fight any real battles. He talks about going down to Leghorn and getting wounded a second time while in Carrara. He also talks about confiscating…
Ida talks about his time after the war and returning to the United States from Italy. He would first go to New York before getting stranded in Marysville, waiting for a strike to end so he could boat back to Hawaii. He would get back to Hawaii on…
Ida finishes the interview talking about how he met his wife and how they settled in Hawaii. After this he gives a message for future generations and some final notes.
Kitajima discusses about his childhood and family. He details about living in Honolulu and moving to California. Kitajima also discusses about being drafted, Pearl Harbor, and the events that followed.
Kitajima discusses his family situation during the war. He details about being sent to the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and his experiences at Camp Savage and Fort Snelling. Kitajima also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines.
