Ken Tamura discusses his war experiences in Italy. He says it is scary times, but he is thankful to be alive. Ken believes the Nisei contribution in World War Two will help future generations against discrimination. Ken says he is an American, he has…
Ken Tamura discusses his friendship with other translators. In Japan, there is a shortage of food, and the locals did not have money to buy anything. The locals sometimes will befriend the GIs to get supplies to survive.
Ken Tamura discusses his watch store and sharing his war experience with his customers who will listen. Ken recollects one customer who will not acknowledge the contribution of the Nisei during World War Two.
Yaguchi discusses his youth growing up in rural Washington. He talks about his family: father, siblings, stepmother. He discusses memories regarding: raising hogs, high school sports participation, holiday seasons, and Pearl Harbor attack.
K. Yaguchi shares recollections of evacuating home with his family and describes in detail the camp facilities. He also talks about his military training and early combat experiences in the Europe. He relays anecdotes regarding: segregation in…
K. Yaguchi talks about his combat experiences in the European Theater at Bruyeres and the Gothic Line. He shares anecdotes regarding: European civilians, getting military orders, viewing casualties, and time spent in between battle engagement. He…
Kenneth Inada begins the interview talking about his childhood home and what it was like to grow up in Honolulu. He would be immersed in Japanese culture and ethics, watching Japanese movies and attending Japanese language school after his normal…
Inada talks more about his family background, including his mother's interests and discipline as a housewife and the languages they spoke in their household. He would grow up in the Great Depression, but still enjoy going to the movies and joining…
Inada continues talking about his high school years, talking about associations with Daniel Inouye, who later became a Medal of Honor recipient and American senator. He also discusses the discrimination that was faced before the war, such as not…
Inada talks about his shipment to mainland America, seeing the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge on the way and then landing in Oakland. When arriving, all soldiers would have their diaries taken away and told they would not be able to get them back.…
Inada discusses more about his unit detail, going from C Company to K Company as replacements were all moved. He also talks about replacements and his brother that passed away in Europe after the war had ended. Next, he talks about his first combat,…
Inada continues talking about his war experiences, including joining up with I Company, before getting wounded in action. He talks about being in combat and getting a hand injury, causing him to leave and head to a field hospital. There, he begged…
Ota begins the interview talking about his family and how his parents came from Nagasaki to Washington. His father would work his way up from being a janitor to owning hotels and restaurants while Kenneth and his siblings went to school and played…
Ota talks more about his childhood in Washington and being able to travel around the state playing sports. He would enjoy playing basketball at the YMCA the most and would continue to help his dad working at the hotels they owned. During the summers,…
Ota continues his recollection of going to Camp Shelby for basic training. He talks about the rivalry between the Hawaiian soldiers and the mainland soldiers and seeing segregation in the South. He would spend a year at Camp Shelby before being…
After getting wounded during the Lost Battalion campaign, Ota would return to the United States to recover and rehabilitate for about a year and a half. He discusses the recognition he received from other members of the military after the war and the…
Takehara begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Maui. During his childhood, he would attend school and Japanese language school, where he would learn kendo and judo. He would attend high school in Maui and then…
Takehara discusses his responsibilities and experiences as a medic during combat. He would end up treating a lot of soldiers' wounds and seeing a lot of casualties as he would run around through combat to those in need. Along with that, he also…
Kenneth is joined by his wife for the last part of the interview. They discuss their family, which even includes a great grandchild. They also talk about the Amache concentration camp in Colorado and knowledge of the 442nd Regiment within the camps.…
Namba discusses his siblings; and talks about his parents immigrating to the United States from Japan, his father's work as a farmer, and his mother's education in Japan. He then talks about traditional Japanese family values; his father's…
Namba discusses his childhood and post-war experiences with racism and discrimination. He then provides some thoughts about what the Pledge of Alligence and United States national anthem mean to him; discusses his childhood ambitions and heroes; and…
Namba talks about his family's forced removal including discussing the items he was allowed to take and what he had to leave behind. He then talks about some of his family's items that were lost after his father returned from incarceration camp; and…
Namba talks about leaving Minidoka to go to Fort Douglas for induction; describes barbed wire; and talks about basic training at Camp Blanding and Camp Shelby. He then talks about his brother's military service; traveling overseas on the Queen Mary;…
Namba discusses a Sergeant who was killed in action, as well as other soldiers who were wounded and killed in action when a mine was set off during a night patrol. He then discusses how war is portrayed in movies and television; provides some…
Namba discusses his post-war experiences with discrimination in Oregon and talks about a local pastor who showed kindness to Japanese Americans during that time. He then talks about his brother's military experiences including his involvement as part…
Miyamoto describes his childhood in Merced County, California. His recollections include playing with neighbors and busing to school, and helping out with family farming and participating in the Cortez Growers' Association. In high school he took an…
Miyamoto recalls his experiences at various military encampments including Camp Robinson in Arkansas, and Camps Carson and Hale in Colorado. His family was incarcerated at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp, and he recalls being denied access to…
Miyamoto describes his survival strategies at various military bases on the U.S. Mainland. He was valued for his skill as payroll and personnel officer and then he transferred to Camp Hale from Camp Carson. He did not encounter discrimination for…
Miyamoto finishes the story of joining the 442nd two weeks behind schedule because of a mistake in communications. He and his platoon narrowly avoided being sent into the Battle of the Bulge, and then, due to late arrival in Italy, they were spared…
Miyamoto describes learning about the War's end while in Italy when a military aircraft dropped leaflets on his Jeep convoy. He then recounts searching and dispossessing the many German Prisoners of War and waiting for a long time to leave Europe for…
Kajiwara describes his early life on a sugar plantation. He explains how and why his father immigrated to the United States. He talks about his parents marriage. He describes Japanese language school. He describes his mother's childhood. He…
Kajiwara talks about his father's visits to Japan. He briefly describes working for Hawaiian Pineapple. He discusses the work he did on a sugar plantation. He talks about having a twin brother. He talks about primary school. Kajiwara describes his…
Kent Kajiwara continues to talk about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He discusses the FBI's attempt to arrest his father. He talks about his security work while working at Hawaiian Pineapple. He talks about enlisting in the Army. He…
Kajiwara describes the cohesiveness of Company K. He talks about his interactions with a top officer at Camp Shelby. He shares his memories of his visit to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He discusses his friendship with Earl Finch. Kajiwara describes his…
Kajiwara shares memories of his experiences in Belvedere. He talks about Hill 140 and the Arno Campaign. He describes his journey to Marseilles, France. He also describes Company K. He discusses his combat experiences in Southeastern France. He…
Kajiwara talks about his guard duty assignments. He briefly talks about the Champagne Campaign. He describes his unit's successful attempt to take a hillside from German soldiers. He discussing being discharged and his return to the United States.…
Kajiwara describes the comradery in Company K. He extensively talks about the 442nd Veterans Club. He shares funny memories from when he was stationed overseas. He list Company K's medals and awards. He explains the legacy of the Nisei. He talks…
Takabayashi discusses more about farm life. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. Takabayashi also discusses volunteering for the army and his experiences at Camp Shelby.
Takabayashi discusses the reason he joined the army and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his voyage overseas. Takabayashi also discusses about arriving in France.
Takabayashi discusses the voyage on The Queen Mary and the journey to the front line once in France. He details about his early experiences in France and his combat experiences. Takabayashi also discusses about his experiences in Italy and France and…
Takabayashi discusses his experiences from the Gothic Line. He details about surprising the enemy and losing friends. Takabayashi also discusses about finding a dog and taking it home.
Takabayashi discusses the realities of shell shock. He details about his career after the army. Takabayashi also discusses the legacy of Japanese Americans and what it meant to fight in the war.
Murumoto discusses his familial description. He recalls the living condition growing up and helping out on the farm after school. Murumoto shares some of his childhood activities, one of them being watching baseball games with his Father, After high…
Murumoto discusses Executive Order 9066 and his camp experiences. Murumoto is able to leave camp to work on the farm by answering the loyalty questions yes yes and is drafted to military service. Murumoto goes to Camp Shelby for basic training before…
Murumoto discusses the advancement of the Gothic Line and final casualties. He shares his feeling of the Japanese American soldiers who fought in the war. At the end of the war, Murumoto returns home and gets married and has children and…
Kiyoji Morimoto discusses his birth date, birthplace and familial description. Morimoto's father is from Japan and becomes a commercial fisherman in Hilo, Hawaii. Morimoto's Father is a happy go lucky guy. His occupation requires him to work on the…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses his home life and childhood in Hawaii. His family is Buddhist and goes to church on the weekends. Coming from a fisherman family, his meals at home consist of fish. At an early age, he learns not to eat fishes with…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses working at a meet market after graduating high school until he volunteers for the service. Morimoto does not feel discrimination prewar. He says during that time each ethnic group lives in their own perspective camp.…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses rank as Private FIrst Class (PFC), First Platoon, and Third Squad. At basic training, Morimoto describes the relationship between the Mainland boys and the Hawaiian boys. He recalls the nickname that the Hawaiians…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses the lessons learned from the Luciano campaign. His company learns how to attack in combat and the amount of fire power to use against the enemies to scare them. He recalls the supply line being well supplied because…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses he would not do anything different in his battle field experiences. He got along well with the other officers and his rank during the war is Tech Sargent. In his company, the Platoon Sargent gets injured and…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses the difficulties to transition civilian life and takes two years to find himself on the mainland. Morimoto decides to return home when his financials are running low after traveling to various cities such as Chicago,…
Fujimoto discusses how he got his nickname; and talks about growing up in Bell, California including talking about his family, his father’s occupation on a farm, and his own duties helping out on the farm. He then continues to talk about his…
Fujimoto tells a story regarding a whiskey distillery and Al Capone, discusses his father getting arrested by the FBI, and talks about his family and friends’ forced removal experiences. He then talks about his life and the living conditions at Santa…
Fujimoto discusses life experiences and luck, meeting his wife, working while at Rohwer Concentration Camp; and going to the hospital for pleurisy. He then discusses taking an Army questionnaire, getting his draft notice, and basic training at Camp…
Fujimoto discusses going to Camp Kilmer, traveling overseas; and going to the hospital for measles after landing in France. He then talks about being assigned to G Company and describes the terrain traveling to meet up with them with his squad. Next,…
Fujimoto talks about his combat experiences, discusses the end of the war, and tells a story regarding going to hospital for food poisoning. He then talks about receiving a Bronze Star, provides his thoughts regarding military service and the 442nd;…
Yoshii discusses his parents experiences and his father's restaurants. He talks about his years in primary and secondary school. Yoshii briefly discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He describes his life after he was drafted. He…
Yoshii talks about what happened to his family after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes his life while stationed in Fort Warren. He discusses discrimination in the military. He explains his experiences while stationed in Nebraska. He talks…
Yoshii describes the type of music that he liked during wartime. He talks about his military training. Yoshii discusses his journey to Italy. He also describes his combat experiences in France and Italy.
Yoshii describes the weaponry that he used. He also briefly talks about his arm injury. Yoshii discusses the mission to rescue the Lost Battalion. He describes the 441st regiment and the lives that were lost during the Lost Battalion rescue mission.…
Yoshii talks about the celebrities that visited injured soldiers in his hospital during the war. He continues to discuss his recovery time in the hospital. Yoshii describes how he reunited with his family and settled into the Bay Area. He explains…
Yoshii talks about the artillery and weaponry used during the war. He describes the funny moments that happened on the war front. Yoshii explains conflicts with Hawaiian soldiers. He discusses his relationships with French locals. He explains various…
Yamate discusses growing up in Los Angeles and talks about attending school, his neighborhood, his father’s produce market; and recreational activities such as his involvement with a boys club, going to camp, attending dances, and playing basketball.…
Yamate discusses getting drafted and going to Fort Warren where he had duties as a guard. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor, getting married, and provides some thoughts regarding receiving his draft notice. Next, he talks about his son…
Yamate discusses the terminology when it comes to talking about relocation centers vs. concentration camps; and talks about his experiences in the barracks when President Roosevelt visited Fort Riley. He then talks about his experiences at Camp…
Yamate talks about his duties as a sergeant in the mortar section while at Fort Riley; discusses his hospital stays in Leghorn due to hepatitis and pneumonia; and talks about the Army point system. He then talks about his supply sergeant duties,…
Yamate discusses his duties as a supply sergeant; talks about organizing and attending reunions; and discusses visiting his wife and son while they were incarcerated at Poston. He then talks about sending money to his wife while he was overseas,…
Yamate discusses his duties guarding German POWs in Georgia; talks about the relationship between the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team; discusses the Lost Battalion rescue; and talks about returning to the United States. He…
Hisatomi briefly describes his birthplace. He describes his mother and father. He talks about his siblings and his childhood home. He discusses his knowledge of the Japanese language. He talks about his household chores and his religious background.…
Hisatomi continues to talks about his involvement in sports tournaments. He explains how he helped his father mechanize their family farm. He talks about a farmers association and a non-profit association that he helped create. He continues to talk…
Hisatomi talks about his experiences while at the Turlock Temporary Detention Center. He talks about what his family was able to keep after their forced removal. He discusses his journey to Gila River Concentration Camp. He shares his first…
Hisatomi continues to talk about his basic training. He shares his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the "no-no boys." He discusses receiving shipping orders and his journey to Europe. He shares his first impressions of Naples, Italy. He…
Hisatomi describes the Champagne Campaign. He explains how he communicated with his family while overseas. He continues to talk about how he interacted with European locals. He discusses the last push in Italy. He briefly talks about the Gothic Line.…
Hisatomi explains how he felt about replacement soldiers. He describes his experiences with discrimination when he returned to the United States. He talks about his military decorations. He recollects what living conditions were like in the military.…
Kazumura talks about his parents' immigration; his father's employment as a cook and horse jockey; and his father's experiences with discrimination. He then talks about his parents' physical traits and personalities; describes Pidgin English;…
Kazumura discusses the reasons for changing his name; his employment at Pearl Harbor including his duties as a heavy equipment mechanic; and discusses his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor which included describing the airplanes he saw…
Kazumura talks about his hosptial visit after he drank gasoline by accident; discusses getting new boots; talks about his Army friendships; talks about how he helped save a wounded soldier; and discusses his combat experiences at Hill 140. Next,…
Ishikawa discusses his family and upbringing. He details about Pearl harbor and its aftermath. Ishikawa also discusses about volunteering for service and his brief experiences with Japanese Prisoners of War.
Ishikawa discusses about his journey to the Mainland and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his experiences in Italy. Ishikawa also discusses about his experiences in France and leaves a message for future generations.
This interview is with both Lawson Sakai and Paul Teruya. First, Teruya discusses his father including his immigration to Hawaii, and his employment; and talks about his mother's immigration. Next, Sakai talks about his father including his…
Teruya discusses his parents' personalities and physical traits; describes the shoes his mother made for him; talks about working in sugar cane plantation; and discusses his favorite memories of his parents. Teruya then talks about his experiences…
Teruya discusses Daniel Inouye; talks about attending Japanese language school; discusses his experiences with prejudice; and talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sakai then talks about his experiences with prejudice; his enemy alien…
Sakai discusses his experiences in Colorado; talks about childhood chores; discusses his reasons for volunteering; and discusses his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Next, Sakai discusses his induction; talks about the Sullivan Act;…
Sakai discusses the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers; talks about the Hawaiian soldiers who visited incarceration camps in Arkansas; and describes the term, "katonk". Teruya then discusses a song sang by Hawaiian soldiers; talks…
Sakai discusses officers in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and talks about weapons he carried. Teruya then discusses his first combat experiences in Italy including encounters with German soldiers, mines, seeing soldiers killed in action, and…
Teruya discusses the liberation of Bruyeres; Teruya and Sakai both discuss their combat experiences prior to Bruyeres; and Sakai discusses visting Bruyeres post-war. Teruya then discusses his Army friendships; his experiences during the rescue of the…
Sakai discusses combat experiences during the Gothic Line including talking about the rescue of Daniel Inouye after he was wounded. Then, Sakai and Teruya describe German soldiers; discuss the end of the war; and talk about corresponding with their…
Teruya discusses returning home; getting discharged; and seeing his family again. He then talks about meeting his wife; discusses his children and grandchildren; and talks about receiving the Bronze Star. Next, Sakai discusses his post-war…
Leo Morishita is born December 24, 1923, in Shelley, Idaho. Leo's parents are from Hiroshima, Japan, and immigrates to the United States for a better life. When Leo's father arrives in the United States, he works on the railroad and later becomes a…
Leo Morishita gives a little fun fact about his last name Morishita. Morishita means underwood in English. Before his high school graduation, on December 7, Leo is at the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) planning on an early Christmas party.…
From Fort Meade, Leo Morishita goes to Newport Dunes, Virginia, for additional training and his final medical shots. Leo boards the USS West Point and goes overseas. The voyage takes 24 days, and Leo describes the daily routine on the ship before…
Before going overseas, the three Morishita brothers, Kenzo, Leo, and Yutaka receives a good luck charm from their mother. After his tour, Leo receives a ribbon for being in the European Theater and a good conduct medal for his service. At the end of…
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…
