Kitada discusses his infantry, rank, parents, growing up in the Los Angeles area, siblings, and working as a gardener. He then talks about school, the attack on Pearl Harbor, experiences with discrimination, and going to Manzanar Concentration Camp.…
Kitada talks about his experiences with weapons training, provides some thoughts regarding going overseas, and discusses his experiences during his furlough including staying with a former neighbor and visiting his family at Manzanar Concentration…
Kitada discusses a soldier who was killed in action, talks about his experiences in Pompeii, and discusses black market trading and selling. He then talks about German artillery, combat experiences in Italy, and recalls some good experiences during…
Kitada talks about getting discharged, his post-war employment as a gardener, and discusses his children and grandchildren. He then talks about the differences between pre-war and present day segregation, discusses his thoughts regarding the 442nd…
Kitagawa begins the interview with an introduction on growing up in Northern California. As his family was in the farming business, he would help there, and enjoy his off-time by playing baseball and picnicking. Next, he talks about his family, which…
Kitagawa talks about his life after high school, graduating and then working on the farm. During this time, two of his brothers would be drafted into the Army, one being part of the 45th Infantry and the other in the 442nd Regiment. Next, he talks…
Kitagawa discusses his unit, the teamwork that made them bond and the toughness of losing a friend in the war. He talks a bit more about Camp Shelby, including the weather, before talking about his shipment to Italy. Once arrived, he would…
Kitagawa talks about getting rest and relaxation during the war and the activities that they would do, such as playing football. Next, he talks more about the Lost Battalion campaign, and moving onto Nice, where he would be able to get a hot meal and…
Kitagawa discusses revisiting Bruyeres for the 50th anniversary, and seeing the monument there dedicated to the 442nd. After this, he talks about the end of the war in Europe and seeing the German prisoners of war. He would be able to take a short…
Kitagawa finishes the interview telling the story of how he received his Bronze Star, including the battle and the ceremony afterwards. Next, he talks about his first and second marriages and his family. He also gives a message to future generations…
Kizuka discusses about his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp, his family, and leaving camp. He details about volunteering for service, experiences at Camp Shelby, and Earl Finch. Kizuka also discusses about going to and arriving in Europe.
Kizuka discusses about the Champagne Campaign. He details about the Gothic Line and being wounded. Kizuka also discusses about his post-war assignment in Europe and coming home.
Kizuka discusses about his experiences in Italy, coming back home, and the "no-no-boys". He details about his post-life. Kizuka also discusses about his family and shows photographs.
James Jin Kobayashi is born on November 25, 1921, in San Bernardino, California. His parents are Ishhinosuke Kobayashi and Taka Ishikawa from Japan. James's father comes to San Bernardino because his brother owns a restaurant. His father, Ishii,…
Besides attending primary school, James Jin Kobayashi attends a Japanese Language School. At home, he speaks half English and Japanese to his Issei parents.
James recalls the day of the bombing of Pearl harbor. He says it is regular business at…
James Jin Kobayashi goes overseas and meets with the 442nd in Southern France. He is part of F Company. He recalls going up the Northern Apennine Mountains and being at the frontlines.
James is at the frontline for two weeks before the…
Post-war, James returns to the United States and goes to trade school on a G.I. Bill. James learns to bake and becomes a baker for five years. Eventually, he changes professions and goes into produce because the job is stable with union pay.…
Kodama and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kodama talks about his wife and children. He briefly discusses the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He describes his early life in Imperial Valley, California. He talks about his parents and his family…
Kodama talks about his serial number. He describes embarking from New Jersey and his journey to Europe. He discusses landing in Marseilles, France. He talks about receiving his assignment at the replacement depot. He describes his interactions with…
Kodama talks about farming in Northren California and Southern California. He shares his experiences with discrimination. He describes the demographics of Lompoc, California. He shares the knowledge of his children concerning the contributions of…
Kodama begins the interview talking about his parents and how they came from Japan and settled down in Mountain View, California. They would become farmers, specializing in fruit, and help to run an on-sen as well. He also talks about his sisters and…
Kodama continues to discuss growing up as a Seventh-Day Adventist, having many restrictions such as not being able to go to football games or movies. After this, he talks about the holidays he grew up celebrating, including New Years and Christmas,…
Kodama discusses the feeling he had that Japanese Americans were limited in their activities during his childhood, including dances and sports. He had hopes of attending UC Berkeley and was originally accepted but was later rejected and would end up…
After the evacuation, Kodama and his family would head to Santa Anita race track where they would spend some time in a temporary detention center, where they would have almost no privacy. It was there, that he would meet his first wife, who taught…
Kodama talks about his shipment overseas following his basic training at Camp Blanding. He would get on a liberty ship and head for Southampton, thinking they would meet up with the 442nd in Belgium, but instead they would join up at Sospel, France.…
Kodama continues talking about the end of the war, helping with the interrogation process of German prisoners of war. He would miss the first pool of soldiers to head home on the points system but be granted a 30-day leave, in which he would travel…
W. Kohashi discusses his youth in the Shinmachi neighborhood of Hilo. He talks about his family, early education, and his father's fishcake business. He also talks about Martial Law in Hawaii after the start of World War Two.
W. Kohashi discusses his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack aftermath and volunteering in the military. He talks about experiences and basic training at Camp Shelby; and shipping out overseas. He also discusses his early combat experience and…
W. Kohashi discusses his combat experiences in the European Theater. He talks injuries he, and fellow soldiers, sustained. He shares anecdotes regarding: battles; a trip to Paris; and recollections of slain friends.
W. Kohashi talks about his last days in the European Theater and his return to Hawaii after the end of the war. He also discusses his brothers' military services. He shares anecdotes regarding: fellow soldiers he knew; travels in Europe; and spending…
W. Kohashi discusses his life post-war in Hawaii. He talks about his employment history and family. He also talks about a 1946 tidal wave that demolished the Shinmachi neighborhood.
Kojimoto and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kojimoto talks about his parents marriage. He explains the origin of his name. He discusses his father's backstory. He shares his father's employment ventures. He describes his father's name. He…
Kojimoto continues to talk about his extended family. He describes a trip that he took to Los Angeles, California. He discusses his parent's plans after World War Two. He talks about his involvement in high school sports. He describes his…
Kojimoto talks about applying to Southern Pacific Railroad. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He talks about his friend who was in the intelligence service. He discusses the purpose of the Japanese American Citizens League.…
Kojimoto explains how he met his wife at Santa Anita Assembly Center He describes what he did in his leisure time at Santa Anita Assembly Center. He talks about his employment at Santa Anita. He discusses working and living in Utah. He talks about…
Kojimoto talks about his machine gunner squad. He explains the difficult aspects of using a machine gun. He describes his positive and negative experiences during wartime. He discusses the injuries in his unit. He describes landing in Naples, Italy.…
Kojimoto talks about volunteering to go to Fort Snelling. He discusses his employment at a laundromat. He describes his return to San Francisco, California. He explains how he reunited his future wife. He talks about his employment as an accountant.…
Kondo discusses growing up in Hawaii with a Nisei mother and Issei Father. He talks about his parents' jobs and how as a youth he worked with them; and started procuring his own jobs. He also shares his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack and…
Kondo discusses his military experience before embarking to Europe. He talks about traveling to the Mainland for the first time; and shares his impressions and experiences at Camp Shelby. He provides anecdotes regarding: going out on pass at; loaning…
Kondo discusses his experience in the European Theater of World War 2. He describes what crossing the Atlantic was like, and later what hiking the mountains in Europe was like. He describes his first two battle experiences. He also shares anecdotes…
Kondo discusses in detail his participation in the Rome-Arno and Bruyere-Biffontaine Campaigns. He talks about some of the military tactics his outfit executed. He also talks about how he got injured and provides some details about his recovery…
Kondo talks about his recuperation from his injury. He describes the challenges he faced being in a body cast, and the different hospitals he went to. He also discusses his experiences being sent to the United States for medical care and his receipt…
Kondo talks about how he adjusted to civilian life after the military. He talks about the family he established and the family values he learned from his parents. He also talks about his feelings regarding the legacy of the 442nd Combat Regiment and…
Kondo addresses this letter to his sister Misa and her husband, Hal Hoshino. He writes about how much he enjoyed his journey aboard a ship, and requests that their family continue to write to him.
Kondo writes about finally landing at his assigned overseas destination. He writes about his trip overseas, describing the places they saw along the way; about receiving his sister's letter the day before; about an air raid that took place the night…
Konno talks about growing up on a citrus ranch in San Dimas, California; and discusses his parents, childhood activities, friendships, and speaking Japanese at home. He also talks about attending high school and Japanese language school; playing…
Konno discusses his brother, talks about his experiences growing up on a ranch, and discusses going on vacation with his family. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath, including his family's forced removal first to Pomona…
Konno discusses the living conditions, food, and weather at Heart Mountain, as well as his daily activities and work. He then talks about volunteering for the Army and traveling from Heart Mountain to Mississippi. Lastly, Konno talks about basic…
Konno talks about combat experiences in France including his military assignment, digging foxholes, friendships with soldiers, and firing a rifle. He then talks about the differences between a machine gun and rifle; discusses German weapons; and…
Konno talks about his experiences in England; eating rice growing up and while overseas; and post-war employment. He also talks about meeting his wife while at Heart Mountain incarceration camp, discusses his children, and provides some thoughts…
Kono discusses his parents immigration from Japan; talks about growing up in a village where sugar cane is produced; and talks about attending school and Japanese language school. He then discusses the reasons why he was sent to Japanese language…
Kono discusses his employment after high school and during the war in the grocery department of Theo H. Davies Company and talks about witnessing discrimination there. He then talks about his high school friendships and classmates; attending high…
Kono reads a poem he wrote and sent to his niece while overseas; discusses his experiences going to New York during rest and relaxation (R&R); and talks about his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) assignment after training. He then talks about…
Kono discusses his experiences cave-flushing which involved talking Japanese civilians and soldiers out of caves. He then talks about his assignment in occupied Japan; getting discharged; and his experiences interrogating Japanese POWs. Next, Kono…
Kono discusses suicides of civilians on Saipan; and discusses his best wartime memories which included food, and recreational activities. He then talks about seeing his family again and his post-war life in Hawaii; discusses the end of the war; and…
Kono discusses his post-war career working for the Dole Company, the East-West Center, his work on a project regarding the centennial of Japanese immigration to Hawaii, and some of his other employment opportunities. He then talks about some of his…
Koyano talks about his parent's immigration to the United States. He describes his early life in Northern California and the dynamics in his family. He also describes his parents personalities. He discusses a trip he made to Japan when he was child.…
Koyano continues to discuss a trip he took to Japan when he was a child. He talks about being drafted and his duties shortly before his deployment. He describes Camp Shelby. He discusses concentration camps and racial discrimination. Koyano talks…
Koyano describes the state of Italy after World War Two ended. He talks about his guard duties in Italy. He describes the black markets and his guard tower. He discuses his relationships with other soldiers. He explains how he was discharged. Koyano…
Koyano talks about training soldiers in the 171st unit. He describes his wartime mementos and his attempts to readjust to his family life. He shares his feelings about being drafted. He discusses his marriage. He talks about moving to California and…
Koyano talks about the impact of his military experiences. He reflects on his Japanese American identity. He leaves a message to his family. He discusses the 442nd Memorial and his education. He describes his civic engagement activities.
Kubota discusses his Father immigration from Hiroshima, Japan. His Father is able to come to the United States in 1903 through sponsorship of his own Father. He works on the plantation before returning to Japan to marry his Mother. His parents…
Kubota discusses his decision to enlist. At the beginning of the war, non-citizens are barred from enlisting due to the enemy alien law. Kubota first learns about the Nisei Regiment Formation assembly from Japanese Community Leaders and decides to…
Kubota discusses meeting Sus Oshabata at basic training. The two becomes friends when Sus takes care of Kubota when he is sick. In mid-training Sus is selected as jeep driver and goes to a different company. After the war, they remain friends even…
Kubota discusses about digging a trenches for sleeping during wartime and how he suffers from a back injury. In the Vosges Mountain, soldiers are afraid of tree burst from shrapnel. So the trenches are covered to protect them from danger. In the…
Kubota discusses his family and growing up in Kailua. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Kubota also discusses enlisting into the service and his experiences Camp Shelby. Kubota gives insight about being wounded.
Kubota discusses about his time in Atlantic City after returning home. He details about using the G.I. Bill and the benefits he has received. Kubota also discusses the legacy of Nisei veterans.
Kudo discusses about his family and growing up in Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor and volunteering for the Army. Kudo also discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby, heading overseas, and arriving in Italy.
Kudo discusses about his experiences in the European Theater and how he received the Bronze Star. He details about his life after discharge and his family. Kudo also gives a message to future generation and discusses about his political career.
Kumagai discusses his father's various jobs, and talks about his mother, siblings, religion, and speaking Japanese at home. He then talks about his experiences growing up during the depression, discusses the community he grew up in, and talks about…
Kumagai talks about working at a farm full-time after graduating high school, and discusses his uncle who was in the Japanese Army. He then talks about his experiences with discrimination; and discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath…
Kumagai discusses having to leave his belongings behind after his family’s forced removal to Walerga temporary detention facility. He then talks about his brother’s military service, his experiences at Tule Lake incarceration camp, and describes…
Kumagai talks about his combat experiences at Po Valley; volunteering to be a litter bearer; and his assignment processing German POWs. He then talks about returning back to the United States and his post-war employment in welding; getting married;…
Kunihiro discusses his early years growing up in southern California: Imperial Valley and Sierra Madre. He also talks about his father's immigration to the U.S. and how he became established in farming. Kunihiro shares anecdotes regarding: childhood…
Kunihiro discusses his youth working and attending school in Southern California. He also talks about getting drafted before the Pearl Harbor attack and how the attack impacted his family. He also discusses the different basic training camps he…
Kunihiro discusses his experiences in Europe during World War 2. He talks about how illness with Bronchitis affected him. He shares anecdotes regarding: when he got married, his experiences with Hawaiian Niseis, and battle scenes he witnessed.
Kunihiro talks about his experiences in combat and how he had to be reassigned due to Bronchitis. He shares anecdotes about sight seeing he did in Europe; his experience supervising German and Italian POWs laborers; and his being hospitalized. He…
Kunihiro discusses his post-war life. He talks about returning home to his wife, raising his children, and his career. He also talks about his participation in veteran organizations.
Kurahara discusses his Mother Kisa being born in Hawaii and works in the sugar mill and as a maid. His Father Mitsuo is born in Japan and immigrates to the United States. Kurahara's Father works as a truck driver and cement worker.
Arthur Kurahara discusses working in the sugar mill as a mechanic in 1939 until the war. After being discharge from the war, he goes back to the sugar mill and gets promoted as supervisor.
Kurahara learns about the Pearl Harbor attack through…
Arthur Kurahara discusses leaving Camp Shelby and goes overseas. When he lands in Naples, Kurahara is a replacement for 442nd Regimental Combat Team . After landing in Naples, he goes to Anzio on a boat. In Anzio, Kurahara is now a replacement for…
Kurahara discusses a close encounter overseas. He witnesses how the US soldiers gets out of the foxhole at the right time when the German bomb goes into their foxhole. He explain how fate plays a factor.
Kurasaki talks about his other names and his childhood. He talks about his parents and his family's income. He discusses primary school and Japanese language school. He describes his education and carpentry work. Kurasaki explains what life was like…
Kurasaki describes his journey to Camp Shelby. He also describes his basic training. He discusses his relationships with other soldiers and what he did in his leisure time. He talks about his life while at Camp Shelby. Kurasaki describes the other…
Kurasaki continues to describe solider mementos and his journey to Europe. He talks about the best kind of military boots. He describes his interactions with local Europeans. He discusses his first battle near Rome. He briefly talks about the horrors…
Kurasaki continues to describe his recovery. He explains how he returned to his unit. He describes how his unit attempted to capture high vantage points. He discuses his journey's through Italy and France. Kurasaki talks about his combat experiences…
Kurasaki continues to talk about the Lost Battalion. He discusses his combat experiences in Italy. He describes the changes within his regiment. He talks about the end of World War Two. Whitey Kurasaki describes his travels after the war ended.
Kurasaki explains his journey back to Hawaii. He describes a trip to Reno, Nevada. He talks about his KP duties while stationed in the United States. He discusses reuniting with his family. He explains why he doesn’t share his war stories with his…
Kurihara discusses growing up in Visalia, California, family, and his high school experiences. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. Kurihara also discusses about his family experiences with forced removal and their experiences…
Kurihara discusses leaving Poston Concentration Camp and about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about heading overseas and landing in Naples. Kurihara discusses about his first combat experiences in Italy, becoming a runner for the 442nd…
Kurihara discusses about his experiences during the Lost Battalion and Champagne Campaign. He details about a mine accident, The Gothic Line, and his post-war military service. Kurihara also discusses about his best and worst experiences during the…
Kurihara discusses about traveling to back to California upon returning to the United States and his reunion with his family. He details about how he met his and their children. Kurihara also discusses about the legacy of Nisei veterans and gives a…
Kusunoki discusses about his family and childhood. He details the neighborhood he grew up in and San Fransisco. Kusunoki also discusses about his schooling, Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility.
Kusunoki discusses about his experiences at Topaz Concentration Camp and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team assigned to the medical detachment. Kusunoki also discusses about his post-war life.
