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.
Toshio discusses about family and what it was like growing up in California. He details about athletic endeavors and identification. Toshio also discusses going to Japan and his experiences while there.
Toshio discusses about interactions with people of Japanese ancestry. He details more about going to Japan to study Japanese and what it was like being a Nikkei in Japan. Toshio also discusses about establishing American football in Japan, attending…
Toshio discusses his interactions with the Japanese people and the political and social climate in Japan. He details about returning to the United States, attending college, remembering December 7, 1941 and aftermath. Toshio also discusses about…
Toshio discusses the impact of Executive Order 9066. He details about his experiences at the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) and getting married. Toshio also discusses about his experiences in Minnesota.
Toshio discusses more about his experiences at Camp Savage. He details about enlisting into the service, basic training, and being assigned to Camp Ritchie. Toshio also discusses about visiting Heart Mountain Concentration Camp.
Toshio discusses his thoughts on forced removal and race relations. He details about being sent to Japan after the war ended and his experiences while there. Toshio also discusses about trying to get home after his father's death, being discharged,…
Toshio discusses trying to find a job after receiving his PHD and describing his wife and children. He details his career in the foreign service. Toshio also gives a message to future generations.
Aka discusses his family and growing up in Hawaii. He details about moving to Japan for four years and his experiences upon his return. Aka also discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath.
Aka discusses volunteering for the service, his experiences at Camp Shelby, and being transferred to the military Intelligence Service (MIS). Aka also discusses about his first assignment, interrogation, and experiences Saipan.
Aka discusses more about his experiences in Saipan and being transferred to Japan. He details about his experiences in Japan and brief discussing his college experience. Aka also discusses about his experiences with prisoners of war (POW).
Aka discusses about his experiences in Japan. He details about his brother-in-law who fought for Japan, contact with other Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veterans, and how he met his wife. Aka also discusses about his college and career…
Aka discusses about his time spent on the Mainland. He details about his children and his veteran friends. Aka also gives a message to future generations.
Tsukazaki talks about his parents and siblings including discussing their education and employment. He then talks about his childhood and discusses playing baseball and fishing; and talks about his father’s writing hobby and learning Kendo. Next,…
Tsukazaki discusses Hawaiian fish ponds including his family’s fish pond, friendships growing up, his involvement with the Varsity Victory Volunteers(VVV), and his friendship with the YMCA director at University of Hawaii. He then talks about a…
Tsukazaki talks about going to Japanese school, classes he took while at Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), and his assignments while in Orlando for more intelligence school. He then talks about getting married while at Camp…
Tsukazaki describes post-war Japan including talking about visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He then talks about the head of the Varsity Victory Volunteers(VVV) who helped raise scholarship money in Hawaii, his thoughts regarding the attack on Pearl…
Ken Tamura severes in the 442nd Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company L.
He is born in Okmulgee, OK on March 27, 1923. His parents are from Japan, and he has three sisters and a brother. Ken grows up in an isolated area on a farm.
Ken Tamura discusses his childhood friend Woody and their friendship. The Tamura family sells their farm in Oklahoma and moves to Japan. Before arriving in Japan, the Tamura family visits California and Hawaii.
Ken Tamura discusses camp life and waiting to leave. His first opportunity to leave Heart Mountain is to work on a sugar beet farm. Another time Ken receives a sponsor to go to Chicago. In Chicago, Ken gets a job at the Chicago Bar Association.…
Ken Tamura discusses the effects of war on the soldiers, civilians, and the country. When Ken first arrives in France, many of the 442nd are either killed in action or wounded in action from the Lost Battalion rescue. In Europe during this time,…
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.
Shinmoto discusses name, birth date, birthplace and growing up during the Great Depression. He recalls his Father and Mother's personality and child rearing. Shinmoto's Father is a quiet man and he learns about his Father history through his Uncle. …
Shinmoto discusses moving to Kingsburg a Swedish farming community. Transitioning in High School is a difficult time for Shinmoto. He recalls sports help him make friends but is lonely during lunchtime. He is also put in the same grade with his…
Shinmoto discusses Gila River Concentration Camp and the living conditions. Approximately 10,000 Japanese Americans are interned there. At Gila River, Shinmoto finishes Senior year of High School and enjoys art classes. He creates an oil painting…
Shinmoto discusses moving to Burlington, Iowa due to the efforts of War Relocation Authority. His family also moves to Iowa and helps at the Hotel to get away from poor living conditions. At Gila River, Shinmoto recalls taking the loyal…
Shinmoto discusses his Mother's reaction to hearing about the atomic bomb and their relatives survival. Going overseas, he arrives in Japan and sees the devastation of Hiroshima. He describes the aftermath of the city from the bomb. He recalls his…
Shinmoto discusses the family business and meeting his wife. Shinmoto and his wife have three children, two grandchildren, and a great grandchild. He shares advice for the future generation and photographs prewar and post-war.
Ito discusses his family, educational experiences and religion. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Ito also discusses about basic training and his experiences working in Manila on the General Yamashita trail.
Ito discusses more about his experiences in Manila and working on the General Yamashita trail. He details about his experiences in Japan and the other trails that he worked on. Ito also discusses about receiving an award, being discharged, and coming…
Ito discusses the treatment while in Minnesota, witnessing discrimination, and his family. He details about going to dental school and moving to Denver. Ito also discusses his participation in the community and the future for Japanese Americans.
Nakamura begins the interview with an introduction, talking about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, attending McKinley High School and Japanese language school while his father was a fisherman from Hiroshima and his mother came from Fukuoka. He…
Nakamura discusses life in Hawaii during the war time, including martial law and heavy food rations. He talks about the various restrictions that the civilians had, and the few things that they would do for fun, such as going to the movies. He then…
Nakamura would get drafted into the Army and be assigned to the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) at Schofield Barracks. They would head first to San Francisco, then get on a train leading to Fort McClellan in Alabama to begin boot camp. While in…
Nakamura talks about his finishing with Japanese language courses in Monterey and his quick furlough in Hawaii to spend some time with his family and prepare to go overseas. He would head overseas, stopping in multiple countries en route to Yokohama.…
Nakamura discusses his involvement with the war crimes trials, first in Australia, where he would interrogate the prisoners of war in Sugamo prison, then to Tokyo for the Class B trials. After these, he would work as a translator for prisoners of war…
Following the Korean War, Nakamura would return to Japan for a short time before returning to the United States. He would first head to Los Angeles to complete his college degree and begin his career. He talks about working for Chevrolet on the…
Nakamura discusses about his family and childhood. He details about food and his family home. Nakamura also discusses about friends, his neighborhood, and schooling.
Nakamura discusses about sports, religion, career aspirations, and attending college. He details about Peal Harbor, its aftermath, and details about the events before military service. Nakamura also discusses about getting drafted, going to Camp…
Nakamura discusses about his experiences at Fort Snelling and traveling. He details about his assignment and experiences in post-war Japan. Nakamura also discusses about his family in Japan.
Nakamura discusses about his family in Japan, visiting Hiroshima, and his experiences in Japan. He details about coming home, going to college, and his career. Nakamura also discusses about his wife, baseball, and gives a message to future…
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…
Hirose discusses his birth date and being born in San Pedro, California. Growing up he lives in Rolling Heights, California near the Peninsula. Part of his childhood activities includes fishing and skin diving. He recalls one incident with blue…
Hirose discusses what is blue stone and his experience in court. He shares his interment camp and military service experiences to the Judge. Hirose is only fined a small fee and is place on probation.
Hirose discusses forced removal and the management of Rolling Heights kicking them out earlier than Executive Order 9066. Hirose then moves to Los Angeles to live with his Father's friend before going to camp.
Hirose discusses his Father being arrested and going to North Dakota in suspicions of using a short wave radio. Hirose's Father rejoins the family at Tule Lake Concnetration Camp. Hirose recalls going to Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp, Ellis…
Hirose discusses the difficulties of transitioning into the school life after being in camp. At 18 years old, Hirose is drafted and recalls a special moment on the troopship playing chess.
Post-war, Hirose goes to Japan for occupation. He passes…
Hirose discusses playing baseball in the military and shares memorable stories. In the military here is segregation units and Hirose reflects on discrimination.
During Hirose's time in occupation there are many orphan children in Japan and he…
Nakasone begins the interview talking about his family background and how his father came from Okinawa to Hawaii to work as a farmer. He talks about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including the food he would eat, and growing up during the…
Nakasone discusses attending Japanese language school and his involvement with Buddhism and judo. After this, he talks about the attacks on Pearl Harbor; living just three miles from Pearl Harbor, he would see firsthand the Japanese zero's flying…
Nakasone talks about the reactions to the Japanese attacking the Americans at Pearl Harbor and the effect that it had on his family. His parents understood that they would be seen as enemy aliens after the attacks but also understood that their…
Nakasone talks more about the occupation of Japan and the recreational activities such as dancing and the caucasian soldiers that were there. Next, he goes back and talks about his language courses at Fort Snelling, learning kanji and the root…
Nakasone discusses his marriage and how he met her at the University of Minnesota while he was a student and she was a librarian. He talks more about his family and names his grandchildren. Next, he talks about settling in Minnesota and his military…
Nakasone talks more about the movie "Pearl Harbor" and his disappointment in the accuracy of the film. After this, he talks about the military programs that he has been involved with, including one that helps the Navy establish educational programs.…
Oshiro describes his early life in Papa'aloa. He describes his parents and siblings. He talks about the chores that he had as child. He describes what he would do in his leisure time, including fishing. Oshiro talks about school and the learning…
Oshiro discusses Japanese language school and Japanese cultural values. He revisits the topic of leisure time and he describes his community. He explains the role of Pidgin English in his early life. Oshiro also describes his grandfather and other…
Oshiro describes the 1946 tsunami that hit Hilo and the surrounding areas. He talks about being inducted into the Army. He discusses the surrender of Japan and his subsequent journey to Japan. Oshiro talks about his time with the Counter Intelligence…
Oshiro talks about his life in Washington D.C. and his marriage. He discusses his life in Minnesota and his participation in veterans clubs. He explains how a 8th grade history project on the Nisei veterans launched his own research projects. He…
Oshiro begins the interview with a short introduction and talking about his whereabouts during the Japanese surrender during World War Two. Next, he talks about his childhood, growing up in Hawaii and being brought up with a heavy influence of…
Oshiro continues speaking on his time in occupied Japan and the language training that he received once he arrived there. He talks about the conditions of the Japanese civilians and the struggles that they faced on a daily basis. He talks about the…
After his time in occupied Japan, Oshiro would be discharged from the Army, as he wanted to pursue his higher education. He discusses the success of the occupation and the role of Nisei linguists and why that model should be used in future…
Oshiro finishes up the interview with a few experiences he had while living in occupied Japan. He talks about a nurse that committed suicide, a Soviet prisoner-of-war they found dead, and climbing Mt.Fuji during a fog. He also talks about traveling…
Tsuchimochi discusses his nickname; and talks about his childhood in Tacoma, Washington including discussing attending school, playing sports, and talking about the Japanese community and his involvement in community activities. He then talks about…
Tsuchimochi discusses the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor including talking about curfew, having to leave belongings behind during forced removal, and discussing Japanese American community leaders getting picked up by the FBI. He then talks…
Tsuchimochi discusses the loyalty questionnaire, getting his draft notice, and being assigned to Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He then talks about basic training at Fort McClellan, training at Fort Snelling, and censorship…
Tsuchimochi talks about receiving senninbari (good luck charm) from his mother; creating a rubber compound during his job as a chemist; and recreational activities after retirement such as golf, poker, and reading. He then talks about the differences…
Tsuchimochi talks about his involvement in a local veterans group; reminisces about his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) class and classmates; and talks about his experiences in the Philippines. Lastly, Tsuchimochi talks about some of his…
Isamu "Sam" Saito was born on April 27, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. His parents are from Japan and immigrated to the United States for a better opportunity. Sam's parents are instrumental in shaping him in his informal years of education.
Isamu "Sam" Saito recalls his school years. At school, the students are primarily Japanese Americans. The teachers had a hard time pronouncing the Japanese names. Therefore, many of the Japanese American students used English names for the benefit of…
Isamu "Sam" Saito discusses his friends' and parents' reactions after Pearl Harbor. One evening after the attack, Sam's parents burned items connected with Japan.
When Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) was announced, Sam's family prepared for…
Isamu "Sam" Saito describes life in the camp. Minidoka was the third-largest in Idaho, with approximately 12,000 Japanese American internees. Inside the camp, the people developed a police station, fire station, hospital, and administration.…
After Camp Shelby, Isamu "Sam" Saito went to Fort Snelling. There were approximately 2,000 soldiers at Fort Snelling training to go overseas. The curriculum focused on reading and writing. Sam discusses his daily schedule at the Japanese school.
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During the Occupation of Japan, Isamu "Sam" Saito got an opportunity to travel around Japan. He recalls visiting Osaka, and the locals have their dialect. Luckily, his cousin from Yokohama helps translate for him.
Onodera talks about his youth and early adulthood growing up in Seattle. His mother was a Japanese language school teacher (father a plumber) and he had an uncle in the Japanese navy. He also discusses how his family got separated during the Japanese…
Onodera discusses his, and his brothers', experiences serving in the US military. He talks about working at Vint Hills Farm Station in Virginia, and later working in Yokohama after the war ended. He discusses the post-war living conditions in Japan…
Onodera discusses his experiences being a translator for US commissioned officers in Japan. He recounts the living conditions in the US military barracks and some details of his job. In addition he talks about how 5 of his siblings also served in the…
Onodera discusses about his family, childhood, and growing up in Seattle, Washington. He details about his home life and moving to Los Angeles. Onodera also discusses about living in Los Angeles.
Onodera discusses about living in Los Angeles. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Onodera also discusses about forced removal, experiences at Manzanar Concentration Camp, volunteering for service, and Camp Shelby.
Onodera discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about joining the Military Intelligence Service and his experiences at Camp Savage. Onodera also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
