In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi discusses being drafted into the military before the war began. He describes what he remembered from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon his return to Schofield Barracks, all of the Japanese American recruits were…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his training experience at Camp McCoy and getting into fights with the recruits from the 2nd Infantry Division. He was later sent to Camp Shelby for more training and assigned to be a rifleman in B…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about the Battle of Cassino -- where he escaped a falling mortar shell. He shares some funny personal stories from his time in Cassino.
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about the time when he went on a night patrol with Colonel Young Oak Kim to capture German soldiers. He also describes when he tripped a German mine and was sent to a hospital in Naples.
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his return to France to be with his unit after one of the sections was bombed. He talks a little about the Champagne Campaign, the Gothic Line and Po Valley Campaigns. He describes his homecoming and…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his family and about sharing his story with future generations. He goes on to describe the different medals that he was awarded, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Italian Cross, and the…
Aki talks about his childhood in Livingston, California. He describes his community in Livingston, California. He discusses his grandparents, siblings, father, and mother. He talks about growing up in a Christian colony. He briefly discusses…
Aki describes his seminary school experiences. He talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the Aftermath. He continues to discusses the forced removal process. He talks about the concentration camp that he and his family were assigned to. He…
Akiyama talks about growing up in the Pacific Northwest and moving as a child to eastern Oregon, Portland, and Seattle. He then talks about his father and his employment as a cook; discusses his favorite dishes his father cooked; and talks about…
Akiyama talks about encounters he had with Hawaiian soldiers, discusses Pidgin English, talks about how he learned about the [MIS], and discusses his experiences prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then talks about his whereabouts during Pearl…
Akiyama talks about the differences between [Portland] temporary detention facility and Minidoka incarceration camp including discussing the living conditions at both locations. He then talks about his experiences working on a sugar beet farm in…
Akiyama talks about his first days in the Army which involved basic training at Camp Blanding in Florida. He also talks about his experiences at Camp Blanding during a hurricane; talks about food at Camp Blanding as well as Army rations; and…
Akiyama talks about his combat experiences during reconnaissance patrol; and describes what it was like shooting a rifle and shooting against German soliders. He then talks about different types of rifles, his first impressions of German soldiers,…
Akiyama discusses his wife, marriage, daughter, and his reasons for participating in the Hanashi Oral History Program. He also talks about his participation in the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and other post-war recreational activities…
Akune begins with describing his childhood and family. He moved to Japan at the age of ten, after his mother passed away. When he turned fifteen, he returned to the United States to help his father.
Akune recalls his experiences on a dairy farm life before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes the affects of Pearl Harbor on the Japanese American community. He also describes his experience at the Merced Temporary Detention Facility and…
Akune discusses his reasoning for volunteering to serve in the military. He discusses Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Mississippi before being shipped out for basic training.
Akune describes his basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and his life on a liberty ship before landing in Perth, Australia, his assignment working on a propaganda project and his duties as a part of a propaganda project and interrogating…
Akune discusses his experiences interrogating Japanese Prisoners of War (POWs) and assisting the British Army with "flushing" Japanese soldiers and situations in which he faced discrimination in the military.
Akune continues his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) as an interrogator. He discusses some of his experiences interrogating soldiers and also talking to "comfort girls." He describes escorting Prisoners of War (POWs) from China…
Akune discusses his service during the Post-war Occupation of Japan -- he was a translator for the war crime trials. He introduces his wife and family. He ends by sharing a message to future generations and the importance of the Nisei veteran story.
Paul Takeo Bannai is born July 4, 1920, in Delta, Colorado. Paul explains the meaning of this name. Paul grows up in Utah and Colorado before moving to Boyle Heights, CA.
On December 7, Paul hears about the Pearl Harbor attack, and he reports to…
During Paul Takao Bannai's school years in Utah, and Colorado there are no Japanese American students. Paul's friends are mainly white. When he moves to Los Angeles, CA, his friends are more diverse, and he meets other Japanese Americans. Paul…
When Paul Takao Bannai hears the news of Pearl Harbor on December 7, his reaction is to help and defend the United States. Paul's parents support him and encourage him to defend America. By joining the 442nd and serving with the Military…
Paul Takao Bannai discusses Nisei in the Japanese Army and wants to learn more about their experience. In Kyoto, Paul helps organize the breweries to sell alcohol to the United States military.
After Japan, Paul has one more year of service. He…
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…
Janet Brown Hardwick and Susan Hardwick come from a family of men who serves their country. Their great-grandfather serves in the Civil War, and their father, Bill Hardwick, is part of the 36th Infantry Regiment during World War Two. Following their…
Janet Brown Hardwick Brown is the oldest of the Hardwick sisters. She is married to Phil Brown and has three children and grandchildren. Susan Hardwick is the youngest sister and is a real estate agent for 30 years. The Hardwick sisters start a…
Deguchi discusses growing Kealakekua, Hawaii and his family. He details values taught, childhood, the Japanese language. Deguchi also discusses about his high school graduation, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath.
Deguchi discusses about volunteering for the Army and his early experiences in the Army. He details about the journey to Mainland and experiences at Camp Shelby. Deguchi also discusses about going to Italy, first combat experiences, and getting…
Deguchi discusses about his experiences in France and Italy. He details about joining becoming an officer and joining the reserves. Deguchi also discusses about his family and his career.
Doi begins the interview talking about the sugar plantation that he grew up on in Hawaii. He would attend Japanese language school while also attending Honokaʻa School. Next, he talks about his parents, coming over from Yamaguchi prefecture and…
Doi talks more about his high school education, attending Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, where he would learn social values as well as further his education. He would also partake in acting and even get to take part in a Huckleberry Finn play.…
Doi talks about his reasons leading up to joining the Army, including having feelings that the United States would get involved with the war, and forming the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV). He would be inducted and be shipped over to the mainland,…
Doi talks more about his time at Camp Shelby, giving a couple of stories of close-calls, one including a grenade and the other including a mine that ended up being a dud. After this, he would head to Europe, where his duties included running supplies…
Doi talks about his whereabouts when he found out about V-E day, deciding to volunteer with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) to fight in the Pacific Theater. However, while in transition between the Europe and Asia, he would be on a furlough…
Doi talks about his involvement with the Democratic Revolution, working with various senators and representatives and eventually getting appointed a judgeship. After this, he speaks about the statehood of Hawaii and what that did for the community.…
Doi finishes the interview talking about his family background and how he is getting along after retirement, doing pro bono work and sharing memories with friends.
Michael Doi was born on May 25, 1920, in Camarillo, CA. Later the family moved to Oxnard, CA, when Michael was five years old. On December 7, Michael went to Los Angeles to watch a movie, and news of Pearl Harbor was announced. During this time,…
Mr. Estes describes his life growing up in rural Georgia and his decision to join the military following the Pearl Harbor attack. Assigned as a mortarman, Estes moved up the ranks eventually becoming platoon sergeant. Estes was part of the Lost…
Mr. Estes describes his combat wound and his return trip home at the war's end. Mr. Estes discusses his career after the war and talks about his family, including what he has shared with his children and grandchildren about his military service.…
Edward Harumi Fujii is born on April 1, 1923, in Troutdale, OR. Edward's father and mother are from Yamaguchi-Ken, Japan, and they immigrate to the United States. Edward has five brothers and two sisters.
Edward Fujii's interview is with his wife, Aya Fujii.
When Edward Fujii receives his draft notice, he reports to Fort Dix, Utah, for his induction into the Army and then goes to Camp Fannin, TX, for basic training.
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.…
Fujimori discusses what it was like growing up in California. He details about the affects that Pearl Harbor had on him and his family. Fujimori also discusses his experiences in Manzanar.
Fujimori discusses what it was like to grow up in Hollywood and cultural values. He details about his journey to the army. Fujimori also discusses his experiences at Camp Savage and Fort McClellan.
Fujimori discusses what happen after basic training. He details his experiences at Fort Snelling. Fujimori also discusses the time he spent in the Philippines.
Fujimori discusses more about his time in the Philippines. He details about his duties while stationed in Japan. Fujimori also discusses his road to being discharged.
Fujimori discusses his homecoming experiences. He details about his career after being in the military. Fujimori also discusses raising children and moving to west coast.
Fujimori reflects on being sent to American Concentration Camps and his experiences in the military. He details about the role MIS played during the war. Fujimori also discusses veteran organizations and gives a message to future generations.
Hashisaka begins the interview talking about his life, growing up on Kauai and moving to Honolulu and attending McKinley High School. He then talks about his family background, his parents came from Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and would settle in…
Hashisaka would work at the post office as clerk until he volunteered for the Army as part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would first head to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu before being sent out on a victory ship to California, where…
Hashisaka talks about his assignment in the Philippines with the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, capturing documents and translating them. He talks about one of the diaries that he has and the contents of it. He also talks about the…
Hashisaka discusses the war crimes trials that he was involved with, acting as a court interpreter. He brings a charge document from one of the defendants and talks about the intricacies of the trials. He would continue working at the trials until he…
Hashisaka discusses his family background, including his children and grandchildren and their involvement in the oral history program and continuing the history of the Japanese Americans. Next, he discusses telling his own personal story to his…
Hiltey discusses his family, siblings, childhood and school years. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Hiltey decides to join the army. He shares his wartime experience of basic training, going oversea and being captive. The most memorable moment for…
Hiltey discusses how his captivity ends, meeting his wife and having children. Post-war, he discusses his employment, hobbies and goes to schools and speaks about his wartime experience. Hiltey leaves a message for his future great children and the…
Kazuo Hinatsu begins the interview talking about growing up in Oswego, Oregon, where there were very few Japanese Americans and his family would have a farm. Next, he talks about how his parents came from Japan and settled in Oregon, becoming…
Hinatsu discusses being on the farm when first hearing about the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after, his family would be evacuated and sent to Portland assembly center followed by Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho. While visiting on a…
Hinatsu discusses the regimental structure of the Headquarters company and communications platoon. While at Camp Shelby, he would begin his work in the cadre, teaching discipline to the new Army recruits. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and…
Hinatsu would arrive in Naples after a long journey across the ocean. He talks about his war experiences and route that the unit took while in combat. First, he talks about going through Civitavecchia and Sasseta, stopping at Hill 140, where the…
Hinatsu talks more about the rescue of the Lost Battalion, including a parade that followed the rescue. Following this they would get some rest and relaxation during the Champagne Campaign, going through the South of France. Shortly after they war…
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…
Ikuta talks about growing up in Colorado including discussing his father's Model T car; going to church; his childhood home and friendships; school; and his father's death. He then talks about moving to Japan with his family as a child, returning to…
Ikuta talks about his siblings in Japan during World War Two; discussing his family who moved to Los Angeles with him post-war; talks about corresponding with his mother while she was in Japan; and discusses getting drafted and sent to Jefferson…
Ikuta talks about some of his Army experiences including his serial number, money he made, encounters with Italian civilians, and his assignment delivering rations. He also talks about Army food, his knowledge of Italian phrases, discusses his T/4…
Ikuta talks about his funniest wartime experience at Camp Savage, as well as his worst wartime memory of being taken into protective custody. He then talks about Army friendships; his experiences at the end of the war; returning to the United States…
Ikuta talks about his experiences running marathons, playing sports in high school, and his enthusiasm for wine. He then talks about values he learned growing up, working on a farm during high school, and provides a message to future generations.…
