Harry Akune describes how "victim mentality" affected his search for accounting positions after college. He describes what being American means to him and suggests all Japanese Americans need to embrace the rights of American citizenship. He…
George Aratani continues his discussion on the keys to his business success, and then talks about the Military Intelligence Service Language School students. Next, he talks about his various philanthropic work in the Japanese American community.…
Sakaye Aratani begins the interview by giving background information about her parents, and her childhood years growing up in Gardena and Los Angeles, California. Next, she describes life in Poston Concentration Camp and meeting, dating, marriage,…
In this video clip, Tets Asato describes his Issei parents, growing up on a farm in El Monte, California, and growing up in a Japanese household. He talks about his childhood - friends, school, playing sports, etc. - and about his mother's passing.
Foote discusses his experiences after the Gothic Line surrender: taking in German troops as prisoners of war (POWs); duties after European surrender. He gives particular detail on the various minefields he and his troop encountered. He also mentions…
Kazuo Fujii begins the interview with background information on his family, and his early childhood being influenced by his primary school teachers. Next, he describes having to work hard on the family farm, and then taking it over after graduating…
Fujimori discusses meeting his wife. He talks more about practicing Judo, and what it meant to be Japanese American. At the end of this section, he talks of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In this video clip, Yoshiaki Fujitani continues to talk about his time at McKinley High School. The teachers at McKinley made a positive impact on his life, even encouraged him to take public speaking classes. He describes his identification as a…
During this portion of the interview, Thomas Haga talks about his experience moving to Arizona to be with his children. Next, we hear about the medals and honors that Thomas received in honor of his military service. From here, Thomas discusses the…
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada discusses some memories and highlights from his work as a part of the Allied occupation forces in Japan in addition to his career as a sports executive. Harada also shares a message meant for future generations…
Hirose discusses his birth date and being born in San Pedro, California. Growing up he lives in Rolling Heights, California near the Peninsula. Part of his childhood activities includes fishing and skin diving. He recalls one incident with blue…
"Masa" discusses his military training at Fort Hood (Texas) and how went to Europe. He shares his experiences in New York City for furlough before deployment. He also talks about his combat experiences in Europe and how his life fair after his…
R. Honbo talks about his experiences and thoughts regarding race relations in American society. He shares his observations and feelings regarding African Americans and Caucasians. He also talks about his children's' interracial marriages, and the…
Senator Daniel Inouye describes how his parents and their families came from Japan to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. His parents were brought up very differently with his mother growing up an orphan within an adoptive Hawaiian Methodist…
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.
Mitsugi Kasai describes growing up with his mother and stepfather in Idaho where he went to Japanese language school, played sports, earned money doing odd jobs.
In this video clip, Genro Kashiwa talks about his childhood. As the son of a Buddhist priest, he was responsible for completing various chores around the Buddhist temple and during services. He describes what it was like growing up in a traditional…
Kawamoto discusses his post-war life: family life and employment. He talks about the lives of his children. He also discusses his longevity. He concludes with a message to future generations.
Yukio Kawamoto continues to talk about some of his personal photographs. He also describes the first meeting with his uncle in Japan during the occupation. He hopes that future generations will continue to contribute to America's melting pot.
In this segment, Frank Kimura introduces himself and his hometown of Fresno. He also talks about his family and how his parents' had a difficult journey to the United States. As Kimura talks about his family and growing up on a farm, we learn he is…
Kimura discusses how both the Japanese citizenry and Nisei soldiers worked to make Occupied Japan successful. He talks about the value of Nisei and Kibei being participants. He also talks about the cultural resilience of Japan.
Kazuo Komoto discusses his high school life in Japan and witnessing the increasing militarism of the Japanese society during the conflict in Manchuria. Next, he talks about not feeling attached to the Japanese society and wanting to return to the…
Kazuo Komoto talks about performing guard duty over an aircraft plant in California, and how a newspaper picture of Nisei's guarding the plant created some issues with the local community. Next, he discusses his transfer to Camp Savage and the…
G. Koshi discusses awards he received from the Japanese government for his work during the American occupation. He also talks about his life after military service, and returning to America. In addition, he talks about his children and descendants.
Paul Matsumoto gives his personal introduction, along with details regarding his familial makeup. Paul discusses his early childhood, adolescence, and early education. Next, Paul gives additional information regarding his adolescence, his early…
James McNaughton discusses the risks the Nisei took in fighting during WWII, and the advantages of having Nisei linguists during the occupation of Japan. Next, he describes researching information for his official history, and helping to research…
Mr. Mitsui introduces himself, discusses his family's background, and describes his childhood growing up in the small mountain town of Skykomish, Washington. Mr. Mitsui describes his connection to the Japanese culture and the role that isolation…
During this part of the interview; James Mitsumori picks up mid-story in regards to a correction to one of his previous statements about Japanese koseki tohon. In addition, James discusses his involvement in the community, as well as the start of…
Mitsunaga discusses his childhood growing up on a family-run dairy farm in Manoa Valley, Hawaii. He talks about farming and his adolescence. He also talks about his experiences being drafted before the Pearl Harbor attack and the U.S. military…
During this portion of the interview, Henry Nakada offers details in regards to his military experience, namely, basic training and being transferred from Fort Sheridan to Camp Shelby. In addition, Henry discusses the tensions between Hawaiian and…
During this portion of the interview, Henry Nakada gives details regarding his brother's military experience and most importantly, how his mother dealt with having seven boys serving in the military. Next, Henry offers a great amount of detail…
Letter from E. M. Almond, Major General, United States Army, to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, expressing appreciation for their part in the Fifth Army offensive. The offensive took place from March 26 to May 2, 1945 against the German Gothic Line…
General Orders from the Headquarters of the 92nd Infantry Division awarding a Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and Bronze Stars to various enlisted men, including a Bronze Star to Paul William Nishimuta.
Letter from J. E. Wood, Brigadier General, United States Army, to Paul Nishimuta, awarding him the Bronze Star. The letter describes Nishimuta's heroic achievement in action on April 21, 1945 in Italy.
Photograph album page with photographs of a World War Two soldiers in what is likely Italy, along with portraits of women and a photograph of a dog near tents.
Photograph album page with photographs of a World War Two soldiers in Bellagio and Villa d'Este, Italy, where there was a Fifth Army rest camp. Photographs include World War Two soldiers on boats and lake landscapes.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers departing Livorno (Leghorn), Italy in July 1946. Includes pictures of World War Two soldiers boarding the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers departing Livorno (Leghorn), Italy in July 1946. Includes pictures of the ocean and World War Two soldiers on the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers arriving in New York City in July 1946. Includes pictures of the ocean, airplanes, and World War Two soldiers on the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team Parade in Washington, D.C., including pictures of the White House and the parade going by the U. S. Capitol building and the Washington Monument.
Photograph album page with photographs of landmarks in Washington, D.C. (including the Jefferson Memorial, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Capitol) as well as pictures of a woman and a World War Two soldier in New York City, with a caption…
Photograph album page with a menu from House of P. Y. Chong restaurant in Hawaii, which served Chinese and American dinners. The menu includes information about the restaurant's founding, food offerings, the American Red Cross, and war bonds.