Gustafson discusses growing in Illinois in a farming community. His father is well known surgeon. Gustafson shares who are his favorite teachers in school and playing golf. He continues his education after high school by joining the Reserve Officer…
Gustafson discusses military school and graduating from Reserve Officer Training Corps and going to Camp Shelby to be with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He details about discrimination in the military by sharing Lieutenant Yanamura's experiences…
Gustafson discusses Anzio Beach, first combat and casualties. He also recalls the Gothic Line, Bruyeres, and the Lost Battalion. Gustafson also discusses about getting injured and trench feet.
Gustafson discusses losing men and the restructure of the division. He details about close combat with German soldiers and when the German soldiers surrender. Gustafson discusses a story about crabs and other wartime shares, and his promotion.
Gustafson discusses joining the American Graves Registration Committee looking for missing in action soldiers. He details about his experiences during the Vietnam War. Gastafson discusses about his post-military life and employment.
Goro discusses his family and what it was like growing up in Holualoa, Hawaii. He details about the family's hotel volunteering for the Army. Goro also discusses about hos experiences at Camp Shelby and his experiences in Europe.
Goro discusses about the end of the war and coming home. He details how business and the community has changed overtime. Goro also discusses about his family, future plans for The Kono Hotel, and gives a message for future generations. Goro's wife is…
Sakaguchi discusses leaving on a troop carrier to Europe. He shares experiences in Italy, and the Germans retreating. When the war ends with Japan, he remains in the military for a year guarding the army supply. After being discharged, Sakaguchi…
In high school, Harold Horiuchi enjoys playing basketball. In Seattle, Harold plays basketball for the Fieldhouse Team as a Center. Harold plays basketball in the Japanese American Community too.
In 1938, Harold graduates high school and goes to…
Kishaba discusses growing up on a farm in Hawaii and learning how to cut hair. He also discusses his family and childhood. Kishaba discusses embracing his Japanese identity and values.
Kishaba discusses about life after high school, going to vocational school, and working on the railroad until volunteering for the military. He talks about his experiences going to the Mainland leaving Hawaii for the first time. Kishaba also…
Kishaba discusses, patrols, war stories, and bath time. He discusses about leaving Italy and going to France. Kishaba discusses about his best friend getting injured in combat and passes away.
Kishaba discuss about post-traumatic stress disorder and being wounded. He also talks about the Champagne Campaign, Po Valley, and the ending of the war. Kishaba details about his post-war life and shares advice for the future generation.
Nakasone discusses about his childhood experiences and his family. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. Nakasone also discusses about volunteering for the Army and his early experiences in the Army.
Nakasone discusses about being in the Cannon Company of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He details about his experiences in both Italy and France. Nakasone also discusses in me detail about the Champagne Campaign and the living conditions in the…
Nakasone discusses his squad mates in the Cannon Company and being busted down a rank. He details witnessing discrimination and experiences in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Nakasone also discusses about life after retirement, his family, and gives a…
Tokashiki talks about his parents immigration to America. He discusses his parents launch into farming. He explains why his family moved to Honolulu. He describes his father's other careers. He briefly talks about high school and his involvement in…
Tokashiki describes one of his military furloughs. He describes his Anti-Tank unit and his commanding officers. He talks about the Concentration Camps that Japanese Americans were forced to move into. He discusses his journey to Camp Shelby. He goes…
Tokashiki explains how his unit rescued the Lost Battalion. He describes how he guarded a hillside. He talks about his journey to Italy from France. He discusses the Gothic Line and Po Valley. He talks about the end of World War Two and his final…
Tokashiki talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He discusses his employment opportunities after World War Two. He talks about his final working years and his retirement. He reveals he participates in a veterans club. He describes the values his…
Tokashiki plays several songs on his harmonica. He describes a trip to Europe that he took with a veterans club. He talks about deaths in his family. He discusses friendships with his squad members. Tokashiki shares his advice for future…
Harry Kuga begins the interview speaking about his family background and living in Wyoming and Colorado. His mother would run a popular Japanese restaurant, while he and his siblings attended school, Japanese language school and played sports. During…
Kuga speaks about how he was drafted into the Army and began his basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. While there, he made friends with many Hawaiian soldiers, visited Rohwer concentration camp, and boxed. Next, he discusses various Japanese…
Kuga continues his interview speaking about the medals and awards that were given throughout the war. Next, he speaks about his marriage and career backgrounds, including working for the NRA. After this he speaks about the impact that the niseis have…
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…
Yoshimura discusses growing up in Wyoming on a farm, and going to school. He details about his family moving to Japan where he lived until he was fifteen. He then discusses moving to California by himself where he lived in a boarding house, and…
Yoshimura talks about getting drafted, and getting sent to Camp Shelby for basic training. Yoshimura discusses his duties at Camp Shelby laying and clearing mines as part of an anti-tank company, his interaction with Hawaiian soldiers; and the types…
Yoshimura discusses his assignments protecting tunnels during the Lost Battalion rescue and while in Sospel, as well as his experiences during the Champagne Campaign. He also talks about communicating with his family during the war, earning a Bronze…
Yoshimura discusses starting a gardening and landscaping business with his brother-in-law, being a part of the Norwalk Japanese Community Center, and talks about some of his hobbies. He then talks about values and lessons he learned from his Issei…
Hanamura discussing growing up in Alameda California; discusses his father, mother, and their marriage; and talks about his father's involvement with church. He then talks about his siblings including discussing his brother getting drafted, his other…
Hanamura discusses prejudice he faced growing up, and also discusses his childhood friendships. He then talks about going to college, working on an apple farm, getting drafted, and his experiences after the attack on Pearl Harbor including leaving…
Hanamura talks about his duties while at Camp Grant as part of the Quartermaster Corps; discusses receiving weapons at Camp Shelby; and talks about some of the other officers in his group and best friend in the Army. He then talks about visiting his…
Hanamura talks about his combat experiences in Bruyeres, discusses his friend who was killed in action, and talks about becoming an assistant squad leader. He then talks about the weather in Southern France, Army food, the Lost Battalion rescue, and…
Hanamura talks about church services while overseas, interactions with German POWs; and discusses the Gothic Line battle including his experiences getting shot and taken to the aid station, and his leg amputation as a result of that wound. He then…
Hanamura recites a poem he learned in school, discusses how he would like to be remembered, talks about his friendships with other veterans, and discusses meeting his wife. Lastly, Hanamura talks about his children, discusses the differences between…
Sakaji discusses growing up in California in a farming community; and talks about his father’s personality, physical traits, and employment. He then talks about his childhood home, siblings, religion, and discusses his mother. Next, Sakaji talks…
Sakaji discusses his high school activities and classes; and talks about learning how to dance and playing sports. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor; discusses race discrimination against Japanese Americans; and talks about Executive…
Sakaji discusses attending trade school; talks about his knowledge of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion; discusses getting drafted and his induction; and talks about his 4C and 1A classifications. He then talks about basic…
Sakaji discusses his encounters with French civilians; talks about the black market trade; and discusses his experiences during the Champagne Campaign. He then talks about the rescue of the Lost Battalion and General Dahlquist; discusses General Mark…
Sakaji talks about receiving a Presidential Unit Citation; discusses getting discharged and returning home; and talks about seeing friends in Chicago while on route to California. Next, Sakaji discusses his brother’s military service and sister’s…
Ikemoto discusses his whereabouts during the end of the war; talks about volunteering to go to Japan post V-J Day; and discusses his experiences at Military Intelligence Language School (MISLS). He then talks about traveling to Japan via a troop…
Ikemoto discusses the military service of a Japanese colonel; talks about his interrogations and discussions with Japanese officers; and tells a story regarding a Japanese officer who visited the United States. He then talks about his interactions…
H. Shibata talks about his parents, how they arrived in the U.S. and their families in Japan. He further discusses his early years growing up in California's Coachella Valley circa 1930s-1940s. He also talks about a childhood visit to Japan to spend…
H. Shibata talks about his siblings and paternal uncle. He also discusses his schooling and living conditions in Coachella Valley. In addition he talks about childhood summers spent in Terminal Island circa 1930s.
H. Shibata discusses race relations in California's Coachella Valley circa 1930s-1940s. He talks about his school experiences in public school and Japanese school. He also talks about how the outbreak of World War 2 affected his family.
H. Shibata talks about his enlistment in the 442nd RCT and his basic training. He gives details of the organization of K Company. He also shares anecdotes regarding: friends Ted Tanouye and Rudy Tokiwa; some of the Loyalty Questionnaire resistance he…
H. Shibata talks his military experiences regarding training and combat. He shares anecdotes regarding: interactions with Hawaiian soldiers; leadership of K Company; and shipping out overseas. He also talks about being a replacement unit for the…
H. Shibata discusses his combat experiences in the European Theater of World War 2. He relays anecdotes regarding: Ted Tanouye; getting injured; the Gothic Line; and action that resulted in an award for him. He also displays photographs of himself,…
Isonaga discusses his parents, siblings, recreational activities while growing up in Kauai, and his family’s grocery store business. He also talks about learning Hawaiian culture in elementary school, attending Japanese language school, religion, and…
Isonaga discusses the Varsity Victory Volunteers, joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, traveling to the mainland, and basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about the relationship between Hawaiian and mainland soldiers, discusses his…
Takahashi begins the interview speaking about his family background and how his parents came to settle in Gresham, Oregon and then moved to Vancouver, Washington. Next, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Washington during the Great…
Takahashi discusses his whereabouts during the attacks on Pearl Harbor; as he was already in the Army, he would get the news at Camp San Luis Obispo and commanded to carry live ammunition while in the camp. He would try to become a cook, but was…
Takahashi talks about being shipped from Italy to France and beginning his first combat in Bruyeres. As a walkie talkie man, he would be assigned with communication. Next, he talks about his part during the Lost Battalion campaign and patrolling.…
Takahashi talks more about his war experiences in Europe. He discusses the Gothic Line campaign as a walkie talkie man, and shooting his first bullet in Carrara. There, he would see the brutalities of war, seeing one of his best friends get killed…
Takahashi talks about the german weapons that were used against them and the different sights and sounds they heard while getting shot at. After this, he discusses a bit more about his war experiences, including when they were able to have hot…
Horikawa discusses growing up in the Seattle area; talks about attending school; and discusses the Japanese American community including the employment of Issei at fishing canneries in Alaska. He then talks about his father including discussing his…
Horikawa discusses his father's life in Japan; his parents marriage; and his father's employment at a hardware store and as an inventor. He then talks about some of the inventions his father created; discusses his family's religion and attending…
Horikawa discusses his mother's death; and talks about his forced removal to Pinedale temporary detention facility where he assisted with set up prior to other incarcerees' arrival. He then talks about his forced removal to Tule Lake incarceration…
Horikawa talks about his first experiences in Europe which involved first landing in Scotland and then traveling to France to join up with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He then talks about the Lost Battalion; and provides some thoughts about…
Horikawa talks about his combat experiences in Livorno; discuses the capture of Italian POWs; and talks about his hospital stay after getting wounded in Bologna, Italy which earned him his second Purple Heart. He then talks about receiving a Bronze…
Horikawa discusses majoring in art at the University of Washington; teaching high school art; meeting his wife; and provides a message to future generations.
Mizuki starts the interview discussing growing up in Santa Maria, such as going to multiple schools, his family and recreational activities. Next, he talks about where he was during the Pearl Harbor attacks and the impending move to the temporary…
Mizuki discusses the Gila River Concentration Camp and the day-to-day lifestyle. He then speaks about working in Chicago as a bus boy and having lunch breaks with famed musician Duke Ellington. Then, he talks about getting drafted by the Army and his…
After being drafted, Mizuki begins his basic training at Camp Hood in Texas and 8 weeks later is shipped overseas to France to begin. He goes through multiple campaigns including the Champagne Campaign and the Gothic Line push and talks about the…
Mizuki discusses various war experiences throughout northern Italy, sharing stories of catching German soldiers unaware and guarding work in Po Valley. Once the war finished, many soldiers purchased Jeeps from the government for $50.00 and drove them…
Mizuki continues discussing life in the field during the war, including combat, food, and purchasing goods. During this time, he purchases a $100 camera and starts taking pictures of Italy. After that, Mizuki talks about his wife and children after…
Takusagawa begins the interview discussing his family background, starting with his father, then mother and their values and business. Growing up in Santa Barbara, he was raised to be an American outside of the house and only speak Japanese inside…
Takusagawa continues his discussion on growing up in Santa Barbara, including the impactful people that he grew up with, helping him to become a more rounded person. Eventually, this guided him to joining the school band, playing the snare drum,…
