Browse Items (266 total)

George Matsui grew up in Long Beach, CA, and his parents are farmers. George's father decided to go back to Japan when George was in junior high school. In Japan, George attended Japanese Grade School and learned the Japanese language. When George…

George Matsui discusses his reaction to December 7 and the aftermath. His feeling was shikata ga nai. George evacuated to Santa Anita and Tule Lake.

At Tule Lake, George remembered the barbed wires around the parameter, barracks, and guards in…

George Matsui was reassigned to MacArthur's Headquarters, Army Intelligence G2, Natural Resources Section after Japan surrendered. He recalls traveling to Fukuoka to see his family for the first time.

After being discharged, George returned to…

S. Ozaki discusses his youth growing up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. He talks about his parents and family life; and school experiences. He also discusses his recollections of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of being evacuated and the FBI…

S. Ozaki discusses his experiences, and the impact on his family, being evacuated from his home and moving to an internment camp in Arkansas. He also talks about some of his combat experiences in Europe. In addition he talks about: race relations in…

S. Ozaki talks about his life post war. He shares his thoughts regarding Japanese Americans who declined to serve in the military for World War 2, and his social activism work regarding reparations and redress. He also talks about his career and…

S. Ozaki discusses his thoughts and experiences Japanese American activism and American democracy. He also talks about the historical impact the events surrounding Executive Order 9066 left on the Japanese American community. He shares anecdotes…

Mayeda discusses about his family and his parents immigration. He details about his childhood and life on the farm. Mayeda also discusses about his schooling.

Mayeda discusses about his schooling, childhood home, and community. He details about his childhood, family, and the events prior and after Pearl Harbor. Mayeda also discusses about forced removal and his children.

Mayeda discusses about his experiences at Santa Anita Detention Center. He details about his experiences in Jerome Concentration Camp, getting drafted, and basic training. Mayeda also discusses about joining the the Military Intelligence Service…

Mayeda discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his involvement in veteran's organizations and the community. Mayeda also discusses about his post-war life and gives a message to future generations.

Imada discusses about his family and upbringing. He details about his neighborhood and schooling. Imada also discusses about his childhood home.

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

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.

Endo discusses his family. He details about different aspects of his childhood.

Endo discusses his family's restaurant, living on Terminal Island, and his upbringing. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He details gymnastics and Executive Order 9066. Endo also discusses his experiences with forced removal and about…

Endo discusses his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. He details gymnastics, being drafted, and basic training. Endo also discusses his experiences at Fort Snelling and heading Japan.

Endo discusses his experiences with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS)in post-war Japan. He details being apart of the war crime trials. Endo also discusses the work he performed in Japan after leaving the Army to work as a civilian.

Endo discusses more about his experiences in occupied Japan. He details about his involvement with gymnastics and his post-military business. Endo also discusses about his wife and how they got married.

Endo discusses getting married, honeymoon, and his post war life. He details more about some of his experiences in post-war Japan. Endo also discusses about the legacy of the Nisei generation and shows some photographs.

Matsuda talks about his childhood in East Los Angeles. He describes his parents backstories. He discusses Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. He describes what he did in his childhood leisure time. He talks about his experiences in high school. He briefly…

Matsuda talks about the racial conflicts that he had with White Americans. He briefly talks about his experiences while in Japanese language school. He describes his home life. He discusses his religious background. He explains why he enlisted in the…

Matsuda talks about his high school graduation. He talks about his life while living in Heart Mountain Concentration Camp. He discusses his voluntary enlistment. He describes his journey to Fort Logan. He talks about Fort Logan and Camp Shelby.…

Matsuda talks about a truce during World War Two. He describes the horrors of war. He talks about his units first tactical push. He discusses his hospital stay. He briefly talks about his stay in a replacement depot. He discusses finding his unit and…

Matsuda describes his military duties. He talks about Bruyeres-Biffontaine. He discusses his military decorations. He talks about E company, 4th platoon. He reveals which family members served in the military. Matsuda talks about the end of World War…

Matsuda continues to talk about his relationships with Hawaiian soldiers. He also continues to discuss Bruyeres-Biffontaine. He talks about returning to the United States. He describes his experiences with discrimination after World War Two. He…

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.

Kojimoto and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kojimoto talks about his parents marriage. He explains the origin of his name. He discusses his father's backstory. He shares his father's employment ventures. He describes his father's name. He…

Kojimoto continues to talk about his extended family. He describes a trip that he took to Los Angeles, California. He discusses his parent's plans after World War Two. He talks about his involvement in high school sports. He describes his…

Kojimoto talks about applying to Southern Pacific Railroad. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He talks about his friend who was in the intelligence service. He discusses the purpose of the Japanese American Citizens League.…

Kojimoto explains how he met his wife at Santa Anita Assembly Center He describes what he did in his leisure time at Santa Anita Assembly Center. He talks about his employment at Santa Anita. He discusses working and living in Utah. He talks about…

Kojimoto talks about his machine gunner squad. He explains the difficult aspects of using a machine gun. He describes his positive and negative experiences during wartime. He discusses the injuries in his unit. He describes landing in Naples, Italy.…

Kojimoto talks about volunteering to go to Fort Snelling. He discusses his employment at a laundromat. He describes his return to San Francisco, California. He explains how he reunited his future wife. He talks about his employment as an accountant.…

Watada discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. Watada is born on December 21, 1923 in Los Angeles, CA. Watada's Father, Jay Watada is from Japan and immigrates to the United States with his Father. They both come in hopes to make…

Watada discusses his Father's personality. Synonymous with Japanese identity and values, there are responsibilities; however, Watada's Father different. As an Issei he speaks English and associates with younger people. This is culturally…

Watada discusses life at camp consist of working during the day, meals in the mess hall, and socializing in the recreation hall. Watada works in the warehouse and working in the silk screen shop printing silk screen posters with slogans. Watada's…

Watada discusses events after basic training, he gets to go on furlough before going overseas. He returns to Granada (Amache) to see his family.

Watada goes overseas on the Queen Mary and lands in France. After the rescue of the Los Battalion,…

Watada discusses how the aerial tactics is helpful in clearing the grounds for the United States soldiers to advance forward in combat. Whereas the German soldiers did not have planes to assist them.

Watada notice progress is happening on the…

Watada discusses how the legacy of 442nd Regimental Combat Team proves that the Japanese Americans are Americans. After the contribution of the Nisei soldiers there is better treatment of Japanese Americans for the future. Watada can see the…

Sumida discusses his parents including how they met; their immigration from Japan; and his mother's schooling. He then talks about his childhood growing up in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles; discusses his father's immigration and employment;…

Sumida discusses values he learned from his parents; talks about attending church and Sunday school; and discusses learning Kendo. He then provides some thoughts regarding race and citizenship; talks about volunteering for Military Intelligence…

Sumida discusses attending high school; talks about Japanese values he learned from his parents; and describes the term, "Yamato-damashii". He then talks about how Japanese values helped him while in combat; and discusses the experiences of soldiers…

Sumida discusses his experiences as part of Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) including discussing his training and his cases. He then talks about the Japanese mafia (Yakuza); and discusses his assignment monitoring Japanese POWs who were captured by…

Sumida discusses the repatriation of Japanese citizens from Manchuria and his assignment monitoring Japanese repatriates; and talks about receiving a Bronze Star. He then talks about his assignment in Korea, his translation assignment after Korea,…

Sumida discusses the experiences of a Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) soldier in the 187th Infantry Battalion in Korea; talks about the loyalty questionnaire he took in Rohwer incarceration camp and getting drafted; and discusses working as a…

Kodama begins the interview talking about his parents and how they came from Japan and settled down in Mountain View, California. They would become farmers, specializing in fruit, and help to run an on-sen as well. He also talks about his sisters and…

Kodama continues to discuss growing up as a Seventh-Day Adventist, having many restrictions such as not being able to go to football games or movies. After this, he talks about the holidays he grew up celebrating, including New Years and Christmas,…

Kodama discusses the feeling he had that Japanese Americans were limited in their activities during his childhood, including dances and sports. He had hopes of attending UC Berkeley and was originally accepted but was later rejected and would end up…

After the evacuation, Kodama and his family would head to Santa Anita race track where they would spend some time in a temporary detention center, where they would have almost no privacy. It was there, that he would meet his first wife, who taught…

Kodama talks about his shipment overseas following his basic training at Camp Blanding. He would get on a liberty ship and head for Southampton, thinking they would meet up with the 442nd in Belgium, but instead they would join up at Sospel, France.…

Kodama continues talking about the end of the war, helping with the interrogation process of German prisoners of war. He would miss the first pool of soldiers to head home on the points system but be granted a 30-day leave, in which he would travel…

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…

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…

Wada begins the interview talking about his family coming from Japan and settling in Redlands. He talks about growing up in the Redlands, having picnics, and only being allowed to go swimming after it had been cleaned. He grew up as a Christian and…

Wada continues talking about the evacuation orders, forcing them to leave their homes in San Diego and head to Santa Anita racetracks. They would take their personal belongings and live in unclean horse stables, with makeshift barracks and poor…

Wada talks about volunteering for the Army, getting married before getting his notice to report to basic training. He would be inducted at Salt Lake City, feeling proud and more American in the process. He would head to Camp Shelby in Mississippi,…

Wada discusses hearing about the death of his father after battling with leukemia, and then going from basic training to overseas. They would go from Camp Patrick Henry on a 30 day trek to Naples, where he would begin his combat. He talks about his…

Wada talks more about his war experiences, including a sad memory of a friend in the Army that died of a wound. After this, he talks about the Po Valley campaign and the famous trek up the mountain to break the Gothic Line. After this, he would…

Okada discusses his early years growing up in Los Angeles and Long Beach. He talks about his father's background in Japan, and immigration to the United States. He also discusses how his father's death in 1928 impacted his family and their economic…

Okada discusses growing up in Los Angeles and Long Beach. He talks about his mother's background in Japan, and immigration to the United States. He also discusses how his father's death, and how after his high school graduation he helped his mother…

Okada discusses his experiences shortly before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor.He talks about giving up his independent gardening business for a job as a civil service worker. He also talks about how Executive Order 9066 impacted him and his…

Okada discusses his experiences living at Father Flanagan's Boys Town. He also talks about how and why he enlisted in the U.S. military; and his participation in Occupied Japan. He shares anecdotes regarding: social activist Lily Okura, post-war…

Okada describes details of the work he did in Occupied Japan in both military and civilian jobs. He talks about how his wife and mother moved to Japan to live with him. He shares anecdotes regarding: social activities he participated in; language…

Okada describes details of the work he did in Occupied Japan and his subsequent career as a businessman in international trade. He talks about experiences with his wife and mother living in Japan with him. He also talks about his children's lives.…

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.

On December 7, 1941, Yenari is working…

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.

When Yenari goes overseas to…

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,…

Kitaoka discusses his birth date, birth place and his parents. His Issei Father immigrates from Japan to the United States and works on the Railroad. Eventually he returns back to Japan to marry Kitaoka's Mother who is a picture bride. Growing up…

Kitaoka discusses the Alien Land Laws and the reasons why Japanese immigrants are only able to lease land and not buy. Kitaoka recalls his Father transitioning form produce farming to a chicken ranch because farm the lease expires. At this time only…

Kitaoka discusses the family business and routine on the chicken ranch. Norwalk is primarily a Dutch community and Kitaoka describes the high school transition. He discusses identity and his heritage.

On December 7, 1941 Kitaoka is working on…

Kitaoka discusses going to school the day after the Pearl Harbor bombing. Although it is uncomfortable not knowing how his classmates feels, Kitaoka does his best in class. He recalls the climate on the school campus , the Unites States President's…

Kitaoka discusses experiences of Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Jerome Concentration Camp. At Santa Anita, the horse stables are converted into living conditions for Japanese Americans and Kitaoka relates to his farming background. At…

Kitaoka discusses going overseas and his occupation phase in Berlin. He recalls what Berlin look like after the devastation of the war. Many of the structural buildings are in rubles and the buildings that are still existing are being occupied by the…

Kitaoka discusses a bomb run experience. He releases a bomb and his radio does not work. The only available option for Kitaoka is to land and wait for his jet to be repair. Kitaoka is picked up and returns to his carrier to continue his fire pilot…

Kaneshiro goes through his family background, where his parents originated from Okinawa and immigrated to Hawaii. However, on a visit back to Okinawa, his mother's visa expired and she was unable to get back to Hawaii, stranding George and his…

Kaneshiro continues his discussion on the start of the war, including various reactions from family and Executive Order 9066. After preparing for the relocation camps, they were first taken to Santa Anita race track where they would stay for a couple…

Kaneshiro gives some final notes about Rohwer Concentration Camp, including how they received news of the 442nd, recreational activities and where to go after the war had ended. Once he had left Rohwer and back in Los Angeles, Kaneshiro had trouble…

Kaneshiro talks about how the details of how he and his wife met and their marriage. Next, he discusses the best and most difficult parts of being in the Army, awards received, and his ranks throughout his time with the Army. After that, Kaneshiro…
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