Yokooji discusses his reasons for volunteering to go to Korea and talks about his assignment during the Korean War interrogating POWs. He then talks about his relationship with a company commander; discusses the end of the Korean War; talks about…
Yokooji talks about rejoining the Army reserves in the civil affairs division; discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War including his assistance with Army war plans in Thailand; and provides some thoughts regarding his military service.…
Masuda discusses about her family, schooling, and some of his early jobs. He details about religion, Japanese language school, and his home life. Masuda also discusses about discrimination, living in Fresno, California, Pearl Harbor, and its…
Masuda also discusses about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about his experiences with forced removal. Masuda also discusses about Fresno Temporary Detention Center and Jerome Concentration Camp.
Masuda discusses about being drafted and basic training. He details about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and experiences in Japan. Masuda also discusses about his family and career.
James Iso describes his family history, including where his parents immigrated from in Japan and their settlement in the United States. He talks about his siblings, about his childhood memories, and about attending Japanese language school.
James Iso describes the values that he learned from his family, about the Japanese culture and traditions. He talks about the difference between Japanese American assimilation into American society compared to other Asian American cultures, and…
James Iso describes growing up as a Japanese American, and his experiences with racial discrimination. He recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the effects it brought within his life and the community.
James Iso describes his journey to Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Heart Mountain Concentration Camp, the living conditions there, and the process in which community life was constructed within Heart Mountain. He talks about volunteering…
James Iso describes his experience being stationed in Occupied Japan, where he was assigned to ATIS (Allied Translator and Intelligence Service) and conducted work in the Washington Documents Center. He talks about his wife and about attending…
James Iso talks about his children, highlights about his military service during the occupation of Japan and the Korean War. He describes his role in "Project American" and about his time spent in Vietnam.
James Iso recalls his duties in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and about his experiences working for the government after completing his military career. At the end of the interview, Iso shares some memorabilia from his military service.
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…
Murakami discusses his Father, Mother and siblings. Growing up Murakami does not have much communication from his Issei parents about their immigration to the United States. He contributes this upbringing to not facing discrimination or racism.…
Murakami discusses going to Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility and the living conditions. He shares his thought on how the camp experience is different from Nisei to Issei. When Murakami goes to Rochester for seminary school, he contributes…
Murakami discusses basic training and Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He goes overseas and describes the environment and climate of Japan after the bombing. During occupation, Murakami's duties deal with translation,…
Murakami discuesses being discharge and going to the University of Utah. First job as government agency and also helps his family restaurant. Later he goes to Japan and gets employment as a civil service employee. He recalls meeting his wife in Japan…
Murakami discusses his grandchildren and the Japanese American Community. Murakami is on the board of the Japanese American Citizen League for a year and the Japanese American Veteran Association for six years. Currently Murakami is involve with…
Murakami talks about his youth in Japan: living with relatives, attending school. He also discusses his experiences in MISLS training and his assignments as a Nisei soldier in ATIS; working as an interpreter for the Australian military officials.
Murakami talks about his observations of Japanese nationals during his participation in Occupied Japan. He talks about cultural nuances in Japan and the politics of Niseis interactions with Japanese citizenry. He also discusses his work after his…
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…
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…
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;…
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…
Yokoyama discusses his family and home life. He details about volunteering for the Army and his farewell parade. Yokoyama also discusses about traveling, music, and his assignment in the military.
Yokoyama discusses about living in Japan, schooling, and the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about his home life and experiences at Camp Shelby. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in the military, at camp Savage, and his family.
Yokoyama discusses about being bugler and music. He details about joining and his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Yokoyama discusses about the atomic bombings.
Yokoyama discusses about fields commissions, rank, and war crime trials. He details about his experiences in the Philippines as a part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Yokoyama also discusses about New Guinea and airplanes.
Yokoyama discusses about his experiences New Guinea and getting Malaria. He details about the Yagi antenna. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines.
Yokoyama discusses about his experiences in the Philippines. He details about his experiences in post-war Japan. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in Manchuria.
Yokoyama discusses about the war crime trials and his other experiences in Japan. He details about his experiences in the Korean War. Yokoyama also discusses about his life after the military.
Ben Umeda begins the interview talking about his family, his father and mother being from Hiroshima and their journey to get to Selma in California. Next, he talks about growing up in California, picking grapes to make raisins for work and doing…
Umeda gives more background on his siblings, and what it was like to grow up on a farm, picking grapes and saving money to go to junior college. He talks about the other recreational activities he did with his siblings, including skating and swimming…
Umeda talks more about the aftereffects of Pearl Harbor, as the Army no longer accepted Nisei soldiers, they would be reclassified as enemy aliens. Shortly after, they would be forced to evacuate their home, taking their only what they could carry…
Umeda talks more about the Gila River Concentration Camp and the living conditions in Arizona, surrounded by barbed wire but being able to go outside of the camp occasionally. He would end up leaving the camp and working at a cannery and living in a…
Umeda continues to talk about his language training at Fort Snelling with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), talking about the living conditions of the barracks and being classified as a translator. After this, he would be sent overseas, first…
Umeda talks a little bit more about his time in Seoul, translating newspapers during the occupation. He would return to Japan, where they gave him the option of staying in the military or heading home and a friend convinced him to go home and…
Umeda finishes the interview talking about passing on his personal history to future generations. Next, he talks about the legacy of the Nisei and what they've done. After this, he discusses his thoughts of what freedom is, and what makes freedom of…
Kanda discusses his father including talking about his employment in railway systems both in Japan and the United States, as well as his father's automobile garage. He then talks about his mother; his childhood home; neighborhood growing up;…
Kanda talks about attending school, and discusses his teachers and some of the classes he took. He then continues to discuss his childhood and talks about recreational activities such as going to the movies and listening to the radio. Next, Kanda…
Kanda discusses his [father in-law] who was an instructor at Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He then talks about what life was like pre-war vs. after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Next, Kanda tells a story regarding his former…
Kanda discusses Executive Order 9066 and forced removal; and talks about his family's experiences leaving belongings behind. He then talks about his experiences at Santa Anita temporary detention facility including discussing a teacher there, playing…
Kanda talks about John Aiso and his involvement in Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS); discusses the contributions of Japanese Americans to the war effort; and discusses the job he had while he was in Cleveland. He then talks about…
Kanda discusses the G.I. Bill and attending the University of Southern California; discusses an influential professor who helped him while his mother was dying; and talks about his employment at a structural engineering firm. He then talks about his…
Yamada talks about his father’s job as a railway laborer, discusses his birth story, and talks about living and working in a hotel during his childhood. He also talks about his experiences growing up in Spokane, Washington and talks about…
Yamada talks about recreational activities during his childhood such as swimming, judo, and going to movies. He also talks about attending Japanese language school, his experiences living in Japan with his grandparents as a child, and what attending…
Yamada discusses Executive Order 9066 and its effect on Japanese Americans; talks about his experiences working as a railroad laborer; discusses witnessing incarcerees traveling to Heart Mountain; and talks about his thoughts on loyalty. Next, Yamada…
Yamada talks about his experiences with the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) at Fort Snelling, discusses visiting [Minidoka] incarceration camp, and talks about his assignments at Fort Snelling as a clerk. He then talks about his troop train assignment,…
Ito begins the interview speaking about his family background, including descriptions of his mother, father and the values they taught him growing up. Next, he speaks about school and what it was like to grow up in Hawaii. During this time, Ito…
Ito discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the pressures of war hysteria. It was during this time that he was drafted into the Army and selected for Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He was sent to Fort Snelling to take Japanese language…
Ito continues his reactions to the atomic bomb and the devastation of Japan during the war. Next, he speaks more on the war crimes trials that he was involved with, including cases that dealt with vivisection. While in occupied Japan, he was able to…
Suzuki discusses his childhood and living in California. He details about his family and social activities. Suzuki also discusses about his educational experiences.
Suzuki discusses parents and their background. He details about his sister. Suzuki discusses about his educational experiences. Suzuki also details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
George Suzuki discusses Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and his experiences there. He details about his social activities in Santa Anita and Gila River.Suzuki also discusses about his experiences at Gila River Concentration Camp.
Suzuki discusses leaving Gila River Concentration Camp and going to Chicago. He details about his experiences in Chicago and being drafted. Suzuki also discusses about his experiences in basic training.
Suzuki discusses being at Fort Benning when the war ends and going to Japan for occupation. He details about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Suzuki discusses his military career and the additional training he received.
Suzuki discusses his military history and changing assignments during his 28 years of service. He details about his family and his experiences in post-war Japan. Suzuki also discusses about his views of the military, camp experience, and the Nisei…
Kawaguchi discusses his childhood growing up in San Francisco, California, including talking about going to school, his hobbies, religion and his involvement with the church, and going to Japanese school. He also recalls a story regarding the…
Kawaguchi discusses his experiences at Topaz Incarceration Camp in terms of signing a statement to pledge his allegiance against Japan; and provides an explanation of the term "concentration camps" in regards to Japanese incarceration. He also…
Kawaguchi discusses his duties running a military training school, writing to his family while he was living in Japan, and recalls stories regarding resettlement after World War Two. He then goes on to talk about returning to the United States and…
Kawaguchi discusses training at Fort Snelling for an anticipated invasion of Japan and having to learn Japanese language as part of his training. He also provides his thoughts about the future of Japanese Americans and Japanese culture, and the…
Kawaguchi discusses about learning of Japan's surrender, his journey to Japan, and his early experiences in Japan. He details about what Tokyo looked like, he experiences in Fukuoka, and his interactions with both Japanese and American citizens.…
Kawaguchi discusses the roles that censorship played. He details about the Americans trapped in Japan during the war, those kicked out of the America, and his thoughts towards the loyalty questionnaire. Kawaguchi also discusses his experiences as an…
Kawaguchi discusses more about censorship, education reform, and traveling throughout Japan. He details about his experiences in Niigata and his reasons for coming home. Kawaguchi also discusses about is involvement with veteran organizations,…
Sasano discusses growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii including his experiences in high school and what his neighborhood was like. He then goes on to talk about moving to Los Angeles and becoming a produce clerk, and his photography hobby. Sasano also…
Sasano discusses his experiences living in Nebraska with his sister after his incarceration at Poston, followed by traveling to Camp Savage for basic training after enlisting in the army. He then talks about his interactions with Hawaiian soldiers at…
Sasano discusses his time in the Philippines, including describing Japanese Prisoners of War, Philippine citizens, a tour of airfields in North Luzon, and going to Corregidor. He also talks about his experiences in Okinawa, including working as a…
Sasano discusses his brother's duties during World War Two as an officer in the Army and recalls seeing him in Tokyo while visiting his mother. After the end of World War Two, Sasano lived in Japan and worked as a public health officer while also…
Sasano starts off by showing and discussing his Boy Scouts awards and pins, including an award he received for 70 years of service. He also talks about his involvement in the creation of a popular nature study in Los Angeles as part of the Boy Scouts…
Oka discusses what it was like growing up in Watsonville, California. He details about moving to Japan and his experiences while living there. Oka also discusses what it was like upon returning to the United States.
Oka discusses his family and living situation once his father decided to go to Japan. He details Pearl Harbor, being drafted, and basic training. Oka also discusses about working as a truck driver, infantry training, joining the Military…
Oka discusses his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) while stationed in the Philippines. He details about his family that were in Japan during World War Two and his experiences while in Japan. Oka also discusses returning to the…
Oka discusses finding a career and other aspects of his post-war military life. He shows of his medals and gives a message to future generations. Oka also shows a number of photographs.
Oka discusses living in pre-war Japan. He details about his duties while in the Philippines and arriving in Japan. Oka also discusses his duties while in Japan and his interactions with Japanese citizens.
Oka discusses the translation process and helping the Japanese citizens. He details about culture differences and reflects on time that he spent in Japan. Oka also gives advice to the United States Army regarding occupation.
Shindo discusses growing up in Los Angeles, family, and Japanese language school. He details about his love for music came to be and his experiences as a musician. Shindo also discusses about high school.
Shindo discusses attending college for engineering and how his interest switched to music. He details about December 7, 1941 and his experiences with discrimination. Shindo also discusses about volunteering for relocation to Manzanar Concentration…
