Doiwchi discusses his parents immigrating from Japan and his father’s job working at Rafu Shimpo. He talks about his family’s ownership of property, attending Japanese language school and church, and discusses his interest in automobiles. He also…
Doiwchi discusses high school and graduation, the Japanese American community while growing up, childhood activities such as selling newspapers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and attending Nisei dances; and discusses businesses located in…
Doiwchi discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, and going to Japan with a Christian church group in 1936. He then talks about going to Camp Shelby for basic training and being a part of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; and discusses the food he…
Doiwchi discusses his experiences during the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp as part of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, and provides some thoughts regarding concentration and incarceration camps. He also talks about his thoughts…
Sumio Frank Shimada was born on April 21, 1918, in Vacaville, CA. Later his family moved to Cordelia and then San Jose. Frank revisited Vacaville last year for a reunion. He described the changes in the town since his childhood.
After Executive Order 9066, Sumio Frank Shimada was forcibly removed to Santa Anita Assembly Center. Frank describes the living conditions and life at the Assembly Center. He found a job in camp making camouflage nets.
Sumio Frank Shimada shares his experience with the Hawaiian soldiers at Camp Shelby. Frank had a good experience with them and learned how to speak pidgin.
At Camp Shelby, the summer was hot, and the winter was cold. The winter was chiller,…
Sumio Frank Shimada recalls being under artillery fire from the German soldiers in Italy several times. Frank said the German 88 was a scary weapon. Besides the German 88, the Germans also used bouncing betty and minefields as their defensive assets.…
Sumio Frank Shimada was in the Regimental Reserves and carried the BAR. He recalls moving up to the combat zone, and on the side of the road, he saw blanket-covered bodies. Frank could not help but wonder who they were and who they left behind. Those…
Brian Imada (son) discusses about the Nisei and they where. He details about about his father's history. Imada also reflects on his father's service and gives a message to future generations.
Imada discusses about his family and schooling. He details about his childhood and career aspirations. Imada also discusses about the Japanese community, photography, Pearl harbor and its aftermath.
Imada discusses about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center. Imada also discusses about his experiences at Gila River Concentration Camp, leaving camp, and getting drafted.
Imada discusses about his experiences in Ohio and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in basic training and at Fort Snelling. Imada also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and post-war Japan.
Imada discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his post-war life. Imada also discusses about his family and gives a message to future generations
Senzaki discusses growing up in the Los Angeles area, describing what Little Tokyo was like; and experiences while attending Japanese language school and high school. He then talks about prejudices in regards to Japanese Americans' employment in…
Senzaki discusses life while at Rohwer Incarceration Camp including describing the climate and scenery and telling stories about when he was a lieutenant at the fire station. He then talks about being recruited to join the 442nd Regimental Combat…
Senzaki discusses his first assignment overseas, recalling spending time playing poker while traveling, landing in Naples, Italy; and the sounds of the guns and tanks during his first encounter with German soldiers. He also talks about United States…
Senzaki discusses getting called to rescue the Lost Batallion, and his experiences during that assignment which involved being pursued by German soldiers, and incidents that left comrades killed in action. He also talks about his duties assigning…
Senzaki discusses his feelings regarding losing a friend during the rescue of the Lost Battalion, and describes his trip back to the United States aboard the USS Randolph. After being discharged, Senzaki first goes to Minneapolis and then moves to…
Tsukahara discusses his family and childhood. He delivers newspapers to help the family. In high school he is in Reserve Training Officer Corps. After high school graduation he attend junior college for 2 years before moving to Los…
Tsukahara discusses what Little Tokyo is like in the 1930's. He details about December 7 and its aftermath. Tsukahara discusses forced removal and going to Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center.. He illustrates the living conditions and the…
Tsukahara discusses being inducted in to the Army and basic training. He explains the difference in the types of mines and his mission. Tsukahara discusses about his travel overseas and landing in Europe.
Tsukahara discusses being a glider and supporting the ground troops in combat. Tsukahara discusses getting injured and being hospitalized. He details about rescue of The Lost Battalion and the casualties. Tsukahara discusses about coming home.
Tsukahara discusses his experiences in Europe and being injured. He details about his post-war life, employment, and family. He also has a few words for the future generation.
Yenari discusses his Issei Father immigrating to the United States and working in the saw mill. Yenari recalls his Father as a quiet man and enjoys raising flowers. Yenari' s Mother is religious and he would help her in the kitchen and with house…
Yenari discusses his influential teacher is Mr. Hayashi from Japanese School. Yenari defines what is means to be a good citizen, an American, and to have moral and ethics.
Growing up Yenari plays baseball, golf, and pole vaulting. In high…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses graduating high school in 1938 and being aware about world events. He recalls asking his parents to go watch a play about antiwar and writing a school paper on Manchuria.
Yenari discusses his dreams of leaving the Pacific Coast. Although these dreams of leaving happens due to evacuation, he still remain optimistic about the outcome of camp. At Santa Anita Temporary Dentition Center, Yenari helps with the production of…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses his experience at Fort McClellan, Camp Snelling and Turkey tent. He shares funny moments from basic training and Colonel John Aiso who is an influential figure during his training.
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses the war ending when he is in Okinawa as a paratrooper. He explains the warfare and the use of the war weapons. During the occupation in Japan, Yenari recalls his assignments with the bomb disposal group and traveling…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses meeting his wife, children and grandchildren. He shares his hopes and dreams for his grandchildren for the future. After his military career, Yenari is active in community organizations and competes in pole vault,…
Tommy Masakazu Mayekawa is born on April 22, 1921, in Hawthorne, CA. Tommy's parents are from Mie-ken, Japan. When Tommy's father immigrates to the United States, he works on the railroads and truck farming.
Tommy Mayekawa and his family evacuate to Santa Anita Assembly Center after receiving the evacuation orders. He describes the living conditions and life in the camp. Tommy and his family live in a horse stable, and his parents accepted the situation…
During the Military occupation in Japan, Tommy Mayekawa works for the Third Military Railway Service Headquarters as an interpreter. He guards the trains to make sure they are not pilferage.
Living in Yokohama, Japan, Tommy does not encounter…
Yukihiro discusses his prefecture origin, family, and social activities. .He details about the climate pre and post forced removal and the type of treatment he feels in the community and with friends. Yukihiro also discusses why he learns Japanese…
Yukihiro discusses about learning the Japanese language and family correspondences with Japan. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He discusses his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Rohwer Concentration Camp.
Yukihiro discusses the trip to Arkansas and experiences at Rohwer Concentration Camp. He details about the changes at the camp over time and his family. Yukihiro describes his sentiment towards the government and recalls leaving camp.
Yukihiro discusses being inducted, basic training, and joining the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). He details about his experiences in the CIC. Yukihara also discusses about the devastation in Japan.
Yukihiro discusses about his assignments and experiences with the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). He explains the success rate of his unit gathering intelligence in post-war Japan. Yukihiro discusses about meeting his wife and post-war employment.
Yukihiro discusses working at Brother-in-Law's grocery store in Bellfower post-war. Shortly after he opens a produce market for 17 years in Norwalk and went wholesale after. From prewar and post-war, Yukihiro describes the changes of the city. He…
Matsui discusses about growing up in Elko, Nevada and his family. He details about thew family business, neighborhood, and religion. Matsui also discusses about high school, friends, and holidays celebrated.
Matsui discusses about his home life, schooling, and neighbor. He details about going to college and living in a boarding house. Matsui also discusses about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
Matsui discusses about his experiences surrounding forced removal, going back to Elko, Nevada, and being drafted. He details basic training and experiences before shipping off. Matsui also discusses about his combat experiences in Italy.
Matsui discusses about his experiences in Europe, coming home, and the reception they received. He details about serving meant and his post-war life. Matsui also discusses about his family, cap and gown, and gives a message to future generations.
Ichikawa discusses his parents, childhood, and home life. He then talks about his feelings regarding Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and his thoughts about forced removal after Executive Order 9066. Ichikawa then describes his experiences at…
Ichikawa talks about his time at Camp Shelby. He then talks about preparing to go overseas by learning about weapons and how to listen for artillery. Before heading overseas, Ichikawa received a furlough and spent time in New York and Baltimore,…
Ichikawa discusses the different roles and weapons used within an Anti-Tank Company including the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR); and also describes the sounds of the German soldiers’ guns, bazooka training, and keeping in contact with Anti-Tank…
Ichikawa discusses the purpose of an Anti-Tank Company, and recalls stories of other soldiers having to dig foxholes during a battle in Vosges, as well as their experiences with glider invasions with airborne units. He then talks about his parents,…
