Paul Takao Bannai's political career starts in 1972 when he is elected to Gardena City Council. Later, in 1973, he is elected to California State Legislature with the help of President Reagan and the widow of an Assemblyman. Paul is the first…
Paul Takao Bannai recalls meeting Ken Nakaoka and working in real estate in Gardena. Ken is active in the community and runs for city council, and Paul himself becomes active. Paul's political career starts when he is the Planning Commissioner. Later…
Paul Takao Bannai likes to be active in the community, but there is not enough time. Paul is part of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) for more than 60 years. Paul would like to put more time into helping Go For Broke. However, if they…
During wartime, Paul Takao Bannai receives correspondence from family and people he meets. Letters from his family wanting him to return home safely and reunite with the family. There are letters from his Army friends in Australia acknowledging his…
Ray Gerald Shiiki is born January 7, 1927, in Gresham, Oregon. Ray's parents are from Koga, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. They settled in Oregon. He has three sisters and one brother.
Before the war, Ray Shiiki's parents buy land in Damascus, OR. However, due to the alien land law, the property is under Ray's sister's name. Later Ray's parents discover they have been taken advantage of by a cannery worker.
Ray Shiiki is inducted at Fort Douglas, UT then goes to Camp Hood. He is assigned to the Tank Destroyer Outfit. After Camp Hood, he goes to Fort Snelling and is assigned as Supply Sergeant, F Company.
Ichikawa discusses his childhood, family, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. He details values, religion, and his neighborhood. Ichikawa also discusses his reaction to forced removal and experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center.
Ichikawa discusses his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Dentition Center. He details about experiences at Granada Concentration Camp. Ichikawa also discusses why he volunteered for the service and his experiences at Camp Shelby for basic…
Ichikawa discusses more about his experiences at Camp Shelby and what it entailed to carry a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). He details about his combat experiences in Europe and being wounded. Ichikawa also discusses losing comrades and…
Ichikawa discusses a few comical stories, photography, and his worst war experience. He details about heading to France, back to Italy, and his experiences in Italy before and after the war. Ichikawa also discusses mail, awards, and returning home.
Ichikawa discusses his life once returning home and how he ended up on a television show. He details about his interactions with veteran organizations and also gives a message to Nisei veterans. Ichikawa also discusses acts of heroism, losing…
Robert "Rusty" Kimura begins the interview talking about how his parents came from Japan and settled in Oroville, California. He would grow up there, getting into a lot of fights as he grew up a small child and people were always picking on him. He…
Kimura discusses how he came to get the nickname "Rusty" and his sports career during high school, winning a championship for the C Team. He talks about the Great Depression and having the chance to attend college in Los Angeles, but deciding against…
Kimura continues talking about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, including getting forced to evacuate and move into a temporary detention center at Tanforan racetrack, where his mother would pass away. Next, they would move to Topaz Concentration Camp…
While at the Topaz Concentration Camp, Kimura would see Army recruiting teams, looking for Japanese speakers to join the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would volunteer and pass the tests, giving him a sense of patriotism and a reason to get…
After his language training and basic training, Kimura would ship out, heading first to Australia, where they would set up in tents and settle in at Camp Chelmer. There, he would join up with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) and get…
Kimura talks about his experiences as an interrogator throughout the war, speaking with Japanese prisoners of war and trying to get as much information as possible. He talks about finding a piece of paper which showed the date and location of an…
Kimura discusses his brothers that were also serving in the Army, one of which would be wounded at the Lost Battalion campaign. He also talks about correspondence with his family and what it was like to be on the front lines. He talks more about his…
Kimura discusses meeting his wife while living in Japan as a soldier and then marrying her as a civilian. Next, he talks about becoming a civilian translator, working for double the pay after being discharged from the Army. He would return to the…
Sato begins the interview talking about being born in Stockton, and then moving to Fresno at the age of three. He would grow up in Fresno on a farm, selling vegetables and fishing occasionally, though he did not enjoy it. Next, he talks about his…
Sato continues talking about growing up in Fresno, including finding out that because he was Japanese American, he was only allowed to swim at the local pool at certain times. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he and his family would be forced to…
While in the camps, Sato would be faced with the loyalty questionnaire, in which he would answer yes, yes, effectively placing himself in the draft. At the time, his mother did not want him to join the Army, but would end up getting drafted and…
Sato begins this portion of the interview by looking through a couple of pictures, and then speaks about his shipment overseas, which took around 11 days in a convoy. When arriving in France, the weather would be cold, having snow on the ground and…
Sato continues talking about his war experiences such as, going from France back to Italy and members of the unit getting the measles. Around this time, he would receive a flamethrower and would learn how to use that and mix the fluid that is used.…
Sato looks through a few more pictures, while narrating his whereabouts at the end of the war, going from Ghedi through Florence, processing prisoners of war, and getting promoted to staff sergeant. As he didn't have enough points to head home yet,…
Sato talks about his career history, first getting his pilots license and getting a position at North American Aviation, working on various projects. After they closed down, he would then work for for the Navy, helping to assemble Neptune bombers…
Tsuya and the interviewers introduce themselves. Tsuya talks about his early life on the plantation. He describes Lihue, Kauai. He discusses Japanese language school. He lists the languages spoken in his home. He shares his parent's backstories. He…
Tsuya continues to talk about his involvement in a Buddhist church. He talks about working in a restaurant. He explains his interest in cooking. He describes his journey to Honolulu, Hawaii. He discusses his work on a planation as a chef. He talks…
Tsuya talks about his friend's war record. He discusses his time at Schofield Barracks. He describes Iolani Palace. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses his time at Camp Shelby. He describes being assigned to E Company. He talks…
Tsuya describes the discrimination he witnessed and experienced. He talks about rations. He explains how he communicated with his family while he was overseas. He discusses his military wages. He explains how he prepared to go overseas. He talks…
Tsuya describes what winter was like on the front lines. He briefly talks about the Lost Battalion. He discusses the Champaign Campaign. He explains how he was injured. He describes his return to the United States. He talks about his time in business…
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…
Yokote begins the interview discussing what it was like to grow up in Placer County in California, which is a more rural area. His parents would come from Wakayama prefecture in Japan and settle there, having a small farm. After this, he discusses…
Yokote has an in depth discussion on his family's time in the American concentration camps. As he was angry about the way Japanese Americans were being treated, he at first refused to visit his family while at the Tule Lake concentration camp. His…
Yokote talks about his musical background, getting a trombone at a young age and learning the importance and discipline of instruments. He then begins to talk about his time at basic training at Camp Blanding and the unit that he was a part of. While…
Yokote talks about his induction into the Army, getting his draft notice and heading to Presidio Monterey. He talks about the activities they did during their first basic training at Camp Grant, including inspections and KP duty. After this, he would…
Yokote talks about a photograph that shows members of the band he was involved in. After this he talks about the advantages of being in the band as opposed to an infantryman. As he wasn't involved in much front line duty, he was stunted in his…
Yokote continues talking about his experiences in the 206th band, including raising morale for the unit as a whole and helping soldiers deal with the harsh conditions of war. After the war, he would return home and be discharged at Beale Air Force…
Momoda discusses about his family and growing up in Seattle, Washington. He details about his education, the business he ran and working in Alaska. Momoda also discusses about being drafted, basic training and his experiences in France.
Momoda discusses being wounded and the aftermath. He details about his final war experiences, awards he received, and his homecoming experience. Momoda also discusses a little more about his upbringing and discusses a message for future generations.
Matsukawa begins the interview with an introduction of what it was like to grow up in Salt Lake City, Utah. While living there, he would go to school and enjoy the playing sports. As it was the Great Depression years, his family would only have one…
Matsukawa talks about his family background, including his mother and father coming over from Niigata prefecture in Japan. As the terrain of Utah was very similar to Niigata, the family would end up settling there. Next, he talks about the…
Matsukawa talks about his parent's reaction to joining the Army and his brother getting killed in action while in the war. He talks about the unfortunate casualties of young men during war time and his brother's path. Soon after his brother passed…
Matsukawa gives a few anecdotes of his time in basic training at Camp Blanding, including boxing, furloughs, and visiting cities in Florida. He would be shipped out to Europe shortly after, going on the HMS Aquitania and landing in Southampton before…
Matsukawa talks about the history of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, stemming all the way back to Pearl Harbor, when the prejudice first began. He also talks about the accomplishments and strides they made by fighting for their country. Next, he…
After his war experiences in Europe, Matsukawa would head back to the United States, stopping first in New York, where he and a friend were determined to see the Statue of Liberty. He would head back to Utah and there, would decide to take advantage…
Matsukawa finishes up the interview talking about the history of the 442nd and keeping that education alive with the younger generations, as there are still a lot of people that don't realize there were American concentration camps. Finally, he talks…
In this video clip, Sho Nomura describes his childhood growing up in Sierra Madre. He talks about his Issei parents and about attending Japanese language school. He talks about his sister, who had been sent to Japan to live with their grandparents,…
In this video clip, Sho Nomoru describes his experience hearing the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He talks about how his life changed once he and his family were relocated to an assembly center, and later, a concentration camp. He explains his…
In this video clip, Sho Nomura talks about his parents' reaction to him volunteering to serve in the United States Army. He describes his first experiences in military life during training at Camp Savage and Camp Shelby. He also describes his journey…
In this video clip, Shosu Nomura describes his experience in the China Theater during the Dixie Mission. He explains the purpose of the Dixie Mission and about Communist China during that time.
In this video clip, Shoso Nomura talks about his experience working with the Chinese Communist leaders during his time in the China Theater. He discusses the end of the war and his homecoming.
In this video clip, Shoso Nomura talks about the morals and values that he learned from his Issei parents, and delivers a message to future generations. He discusses the reunion trip that he took with his war buddies back to China -- where they…
Suga discusses his family's business growing flowers, his father's childhood in Japan, and his mother. He then talks about his childhood including discussing the importance of education and working;attending Japanese language school; and the…
Suga discusses the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack; and talks about the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He also talks about Nisei soldiers; Jewish concentration camps; discusses some of the uncertainties Japanese American faced…
Suga talks about his first combat experiences in Italy including digging a foxhole; discussing the terrain; and witnessing soldiers wounded and killed in action. He also talks about studying different European languages while overseas; different…
Suga discusses his private practice when he was a lawyer, talks about working for the IRS while he was preparing to pass the bar exam, and discusses the letter he received from his boss when he retired from the Los Angeles district attorney's office.…
Tsukiyama was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents were educated immigrants from Japan. He attend both Japanese language school and English Standard School. During the Pearl Harbor attack, he had been a part of the University of Hawaii…
Tsukiyama describes his feelings toward Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He talks about his efforts to volunteer to join the US Army, starting with his participation in the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV) and describes the formation of the…
Tsukiyama was among the 2,500 recruits from Hawaii accepted into the 442nd Regimental Team and sent to Camp Shelby for basic training. He talks about how this experience, his first time away from Hawaii and describes interactions between Hawaiian…
Ted Tsukiyama talks about his transition from the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion to the Military Intelligence Service. After graduating from the Military Intelligence Service Language School, he was assigned to a team that was sent to Florida for…
Ted Tsukiyama talks about his experience during the China-Burma-India Campaign. Instead of continuing his military service in the Occupation of Japan, he decided to return home to Hawaii to continue his college education. He received a Bachelor's…
Ted Tsukiyama talks about his work in preserving to Nisei veteran story, through oral history programs and preserving the 442nd Regimental Combat Team Archives. He talks about how privileged future generations are because of the contributions made by…
Fujii talks about his birthplace in Troutdale, Oregon. He explains how he got his nickname. He discusses his hunting activities. He describes his father's appearance. He talks about his father's work. He shares his mother's role in his household. He…
Fujii talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He describes his lifelong friendships. He discusses his penmanship. He explains how his family prepared their property for their forced removal. He talks about resuming his education…
Fujii talks about his military training. He describes his unit's diversity, including GI George Washington. He discusses his journey to Korea. He talks about a rest period that he took in Tokyo, Japan. He describes the damage to Schofield Barracks.…
Fujii talks about the military equipment he used during the Korean War. He describes about how old the C-rations were during the Korean War. He continues to discuss his journey back to the United States. He talks about being reassigned at Fort Lewis.…
Maeda discusses his adolescent years growing up on a plantation in Paia, Hawaii and the Japanese Community. He details his schooling including Japanese language school. Meada also discusses speaking Hawaiian Pidgin while in the 442nd Regimental…
Maeda discussed Japan attacking Pearl Harbor and volunteering for military service. Maeda received basic training at Camp Shelby and went overseas the first time. He experienced culture shock when he went to the Mainland. Maeda was in E Company…
Maeda discussed basic training and corresponding to family back home in Paia. Maeda's first battle experience is at Belvedere and Hill 140. Maeda also describes his BAR rifle "Brownie" and events in Italy.
Maeda discussing the battle of Bruyeres, duty in 2nd platoon for Lost Battalion, taking care of the Prisoners of War and plans after retiring from service.
Maeda recalls his favorite story of receiving a religious cross during the war, getting married and starting a family. Maeda also discusses his military awards. Later in the interview, his wife Lily Chisato Maeda joins in. Lily recalls the Pearl…
T. Ono discusses growing up in Hawaii. He talks about his family, childhood, and describes his neighborhood. He also talks about his school experiences from elementary school into high school.
T. Ono discusses his schooling in Hawaii from elementary school through college. He talks about his first professional job, and getting drafted in peace time. He shares anecdotes regarding; school memories; the Pearl Harbor attack; and race relations…
T. Ono discusses reflections on the Pearl Harbor attack and how it affected morale of the Japanese community in Hawaii. He shares his thoughts on: patriotism; military duty; and camaraderie. He also talks about the U.S. motivation on forming the…
