Susumu discusses his childhood and home life. At home, they speak Japanese and Susumu attends Japanese Language School. Around the age of eleven or twelve years old, he goes to Japan for several months to visit his Grandmother, who is ill. He describes the difference between Japan and Hawaii.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Susumu recalls his father and Taru being sent to camp, and Richard is questioned by the FBI. Susumu himself is drafted into the Army. ]]> Sarae, Susumu: narrator]]> Tsukano, Lloyd: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
He recalls his first duties in Okinawa, Japan, is to search the beach for dead bodies. He describes the reactions of the local civilians and the treatment he receives from them as a Japanese American soldier. In the beginning, there is a disconnect in the language because Susumu speaks Hawaiian Japanese. Gradually, he learns to speak the Okinawan language.

Susumu is part of three uniforms. The Army, the Naval Intelligence, and the First Marine Division. Overseas, Susumu receives a promotion from private to lieutenant. As an interpreter, Susumu did not work on the translations. He credits the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) for the translations. ]]> Sarae, Susumu: narrator]]> Tsukano, Lloyd: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Post-war in Okinawa, there are positive events that happen to Susumu. He receives a samurai sword from a pilot, caring for a boy who is a skilled mechanic and falls in love. Part of Susumu's duty port-war is to help the natives build 300 houses. He recounts times when he would trade whisky for equipment. He also meets with General Chiang Kai-Shek's son for the negotiation to bring American equipment back to China.

Susumu is discharged in Okinawa and starts working at a civilian job at the Ryukyu Review. Susumu feels that staying in Okinawa at the time has more opportunities for him versus coming back to Hawaii.

When he returns to Hawaii, Susumu says his homecoming is fun. Although he is returning as a civilian, he receives first-class treatment. He has three children and two great-grandchildren.
]]> Sarae, Susumu: narrator]]> Tsukano, Lloyd: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Susumu's message to future generations is to join the Army. He says the Army is beneficial because you meet diverse people and learn about other cultures. At the end of the interview, he shares photographs from World War Two and post-war in Okinawa and the family. ]]> Sarae, Susumu: narrator]]> Tsukano, Lloyd: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>