Sato begins the interview talking about how his parents came from Fukushima to Maui. His father would farm silk worms and work on the sugar plantation, also learning sumo and carpentry along the way. He talks quickly about his wife's parents route to…
Kawano begins the interview speaking about his family background including his father, that was involved in World War Two. He talks about the samurai spirit and childhood values that would lead him to a career in graphic design and then photography.…
Kawano speaks about one of his exhibits that was presented in Japan and the response that it received from the community and his parents. Next, he talks about how he came to settle in the United States, including photography of the Navajo code…
Hagino discusses receiving a good conduct medal, getting discharged, and going to Okinawa as a civilian to work on a construction project. He then talks about his experiences interacting with Okinawa civilians; visiting Japanese POW camps; and…
Hagino discusses working in accounting; retirement; his job freelance writing newspaper articles; and talks about his wife and children. He then talks about his friendships with other veterans; provides some thoughts about World War Two in regards to…
Mitsunaga discusses his post-war life. He reflects on his overall war experiences and awards he received. He also talks about his family life and career after the war; and talks about his children's lives.
Muroshige describes his return to U.S. Mainland after being wounded in battle in Italy, learning about the War's end in the hospital, and gradual reintegration into civilian life. He speaks extensively about the good qualities of his wife and…
Ota talks more about his childhood in Washington and being able to travel around the state playing sports. He would enjoy playing basketball at the YMCA the most and would continue to help his dad working at the hotels they owned. During the summers,…
Kajiwara talks about his guard duty assignments. He briefly talks about the Champagne Campaign. He describes his unit's successful attempt to take a hillside from German soldiers. He discussing being discharged and his return to the United States.…
Surh begins the interview by recalling the story about how her parents met, married, and started a family. After that, Surh recalls her parents' work before reminiscing about different stories that reflected her personality and behavior as a child.…
Sugamura provides some thoughts regarding the war; discusses the Kempeitai (Japanese military); tells a story regarding a friend who was being watched by the Kempeitai; and talks about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. She then talks about her father…
Sugamura talks about her experiences while working for the Civil Censorship Detachment (CCD); discusses Nisei linguists at CCD; provides some thoughts regarding the United States occupation of Japan; and discusses recreational activities while…
Following his language school training, Hamashige went to continued his training, going to basic, then to Fort Snelling for interpreting training before being sent out to the Philippines for his first assignment. As the war was coming to an end, the…
Hamashige talks about his family from his wife to his grandchildren and what they're doing now. Next, he shares stories of his time as a consultant in Honduras, where he was able to attend a dinner reception Dictator Samoza of Nicaragua. After this,…
Kiyoji Morimoto discusses his birth date, birthplace and familial description. Morimoto's father is from Japan and becomes a commercial fisherman in Hilo, Hawaii. Morimoto's Father is a happy go lucky guy. His occupation requires him to work on the…
Morishima discusses his post-War occupations and the accomplishments of his children. He speaks passionately about the value of family and about the general goodness of both Japanese and American people. He is grateful for both experiences and…
Yoshii discusses his parents experiences and his father's restaurants. He talks about his years in primary and secondary school. Yoshii briefly discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He describes his life after he was drafted. He…
Yamate discusses growing up in Los Angeles and talks about attending school, his neighborhood, his father’s produce market; and recreational activities such as his involvement with a boys club, going to camp, attending dances, and playing basketball.…
Kawaguchi discusses his duties running a military training school, writing to his family while he was living in Japan, and recalls stories regarding resettlement after World War Two. He then goes on to talk about returning to the United States and…
Hisatomi continues to talks about his involvement in sports tournaments. He explains how he helped his father mechanize their family farm. He talks about a farmers association and a non-profit association that he helped create. He continues to talk…
Hisatomi explains how he felt about replacement soldiers. He describes his experiences with discrimination when he returned to the United States. He talks about his military decorations. He recollects what living conditions were like in the military.…
Kazumura talks about his parents' immigration; his father's employment as a cook and horse jockey; and his father's experiences with discrimination. He then talks about his parents' physical traits and personalities; describes Pidgin English;…
Kodama discusses his experiences during the Champagne Campaign and the medals he received. He details about returning back to Hawaii, finding employment, and meeting his wife. Kodama also discusses about what he learned from the war, revisiting…
Mori explains how his parents immigrated to America. He describes his earliest memories. He talks about his family's farming background and his primary school experiences. Mori discusses his families frequent moves. He explains childhood conceptions…
Yatsu talks about his sense of humor. He talks about his humorous life experiences. He discusses enrolling in college. Yatsu describes the work he did while in college. He also talks about his post-graduate studies and work experiences. He describes…
Toda discusses coming home, how he met his wife, and moving back to California. He gives details about his career and family. Toda also gives a message to future generations.
Miyahara discusses coming back to Japan following his discharge in the United States. Once back, he decided to re-enlist with the Army Air Force, but was sent back to Japan. While there for the third time with the Army, he met his wife but because of…
Miyahara discusses the change of Japan during the occupation, including manufacturing quality items that turned into a big part of their future economy. As a welfare officer and member of occupational forces, Miyahara helped in the recovery of Japan.…
Ogawa discusses about combat and experiences in Europe. He reflects on The Lost Battalion and coming home. Ogawa also discusses about his post-war life.
Hashimoto recalls a story about Sadao "Spud" Munemori, then briefly discusses the Asiatic Campaign, which he was not a part of. He then talks about getting discharged, traveling back to the United States, and moving to Chicago. In Chicago, Hashimoto…
Takiguchi discusses the Army point system, returning home to Hawaii, and seeing his brother while in Europe. Next, Takiguchi talks about post-war life, going to Chicago for school, his wife and children, and his worst war experiences. Lastly,…
Unoura explains how he communicated with his family while he was stationed overseas. He describes his family home and his community in South Central, Los Angeles, California. He talks about his parents lives after World War Two. He discusses his…
Unoura continues to talk about his multicultural extended family. He briefly talks about his high school experiences. He list the people that he knew in his youth that he is still in contact with. He shares additional memories he has about his time…
Masuda talks about how life was different when he returned to Livingston after the war. He talks about other changes after the war and his children. Masuda discusses his marriage and grandchildren. He briefly describes his post war career and his…
Kusunoki and the interviewer's introduce themselves. Kusunoki talks about his parents. He discusses what his father did for work. He describes his siblings. He talks about Japanese language school. He discusses his family's desire to return to Japan.…
Following the end of the war, Sakamoto would get out of the camp and head back to Los Angeles, where he would get a place with his brother in Bunker Hill and start working at Columbia Records, manning the hydraulic press to make the plastic records.…
Sakamoto continues to talk about his family background, which now includes grandchildren. After this, he speaks about his career work in landscape architecture, with some of his favorite projects being California State University Northridge and…
M. Saito discusses his life in Hawaii before and after the World War Two, and his experiences in the war after being drafted. He shares anecdotes regarding his father's migration to Hawaii from Japan and growing up in Hawaii pre and post war. M.…
Tsuida discusses family and leaving Poston Concentration Camp to work in Chicago. He details about being drafted, basic training, and his experiences post-war.
Hayashi continues his recollection of interpreting assignments in Manila, working at the War Crimes Trials. After this, he was discharged from the Army so that he could continue his college education, but decided to travel the East Coast first. He…
Sakagami discusses more about his journey back home. He details about how he met his wife and his post-military life. Sakagami also gives a message to future generations.
Yoshida discusses his family and the end of the war. He details about his discharge and post-war life. Lastly Yoshida discusses about the units Medal of Honor upgrades, the legacy of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and leaves a message to future…
Funai discusses University of Hawaii and joining the National Guards. He works all the way through college, Due to his participation in Reserved Officer Training Corp (ROTC), he becomes a Commission Second Lieutenant and becomes part of the Military…
Ishida discusses his hospital stay for an ingrown toenail which caused him to miss combat duty during the Gothic Line. He then talks about his experiences at Leghorn; his guard duty assignment; visiting Switzerland while on leave; getting discharged;…
Yoshioka discusses his parents including his father’s occupation, and talks about his siblings. He then talks about working on a nursery growing up, and assisting with selling carnations at flower markets in Northern California. Yoshioka also…
Yoshioka discusses the time he spent stationed in Australia including a furlough in Sydney, his whereabouts at the end of the war, and going back to the United States where he was discharged at Camp McCoy. He then talks about attending college in…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his parents' personality. His Father is a philosophical person who enjoys reading and subscribes to the Rafu Shimpo. His Mother is very stoic and handles the household finances. Growing up in a large family, he…
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.…
Inouye discusses his experiences applying to graduate school; and talks about taking a French language course while at Meiji University, and taking summer courses at UC Berkeley. He then talks about his father's death; returning to the United States…
Inouye discusses General Ridgway; talks about his experiences an an interpreter; and discusses his desire to join the foreign service. He then talks about his post-war military service experiences; receiving the Legion of Merit; and discusses the…
Tsuida discusses about his experiences in the European Theater. He details about going home and his career. Tsuida also discusses about his family, reflects on his life, and gives his opinion on certain topics.
After his time overseas, Tsuda would head back to the United States and get his discharge from the Army. He would attend school with the GI Bill and learn about horticulture. He would become a landscape contractor and would marry and have children.…
Muramoto talks about his various jobs including working on lunar mapping as a cartographer, and working for an orthodontist. He then talks about joining the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), attending E Company reunions, and discusses his wife and…
Takamine discusses replacements and the end of the war in Europe. He details about his discharge and life afterwards. Takamine also discusses about Japanese Americans, his homecoming experiences, and gives some closing remarks
Hara starts the interview discussing his family background and what it was like to grow up in a small rural town in Honolulu, Hawaii. Growing up, Hara's father went through a multitude of jobs, with a laundry business as the most memorable. As the…
During his high school summer years, Hara would work at a pineapple cannery to earn money for his family, while he lived with his uncle. Later, while working as a carpenter, the Pearl Harbor bombings occurred and all the Japanese were rounded up by…
After his stint overseas, Hara is shipped back over to the United States and shortly after, home to Hawaii. He discusses getting back to Hawaii and finding work as a drafter and then architect technician. Next, he talks about meeting his wife and…
Shinmoto discusses the family business and meeting his wife. Shinmoto and his wife have three children, two grandchildren, and a great grandchild. He shares advice for the future generation and photographs prewar and post-war.
Takimoto discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War. He details about his his family and experiences in Okinawa. Takimoto also discusses about his employment, current events, and the role Nisei women played.
Mr. Tsubota discusses attending Japanese school and the role of religion in his household growing up. Forced to work after high school to help support his family, Mr. Tsubota was forced to forgo college immediately after graduation, instead working…
Mr. Tsubota talks about returning home from the war where he was able to meet his young daughter again and was reunited with his wife and mother. He later began a career working in the insurance business. Mr. Tsubota discusses how he met his wife and…
Tsuchimochi talks about receiving senninbari (good luck charm) from his mother; creating a rubber compound during his job as a chemist; and recreational activities after retirement such as golf, poker, and reading. He then talks about the differences…
Inaba discusses about his family and growing up. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and volunteering for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inaba also discusses about his experiences while in the Military Intelligence Service. He…
Inaba discusses about what it was like growing up on a coffee farm. He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inaba also discusses about his career with the credit union.
Kamemoto discusses Korea including talking about the Seoul city gates; transportation; living conditions; and his Army boots. He then talks about getting discharged; returning to the United States; and going back to the University of Hawaii to finish…
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.…
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…
Mitsuo Tominaga begins this interview segment by discussing his transfer to the ordnance unit, the end of the war, and working with German POWs. Next he talks about returning back to the US and his discharge from the Army. Lastly he discusses his…
Mitsuo Tominaga describes his personal feelings about WWII and serving during the war. Next he recounts some post war racial discrimination and meeting family in Japan. Lastly he discusses the immigrant experience in America and the importance of…
Tahara talks about the end of the war, as they were marching through Europe, a plane flew overhead and threw leaflets out to them. He would return to Hawaii, seeing his mother and hearing about the death of his father. He also talks about seeing his…
Takashima talks about his correspondence with his family while he was overseas and finding them once he was back in the United States. After discharge in California, he meets with his brother and begins courses at Los Angeles City College before…
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…
Kawamoto discusses his youth and early adulthood in Kaimuki, Hawaii. He talks about his family's living conditions and his recollections of the Pearl Harbor. He also talks about how his mother was widowed before his birth and how his older half…
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.
Takahashi discusses the state of the Japanese American community. He details about not getting married and the Korean War. Takahashi also discusses about Civil Rights being violated during World War Two and details about his hope for future…
Iwatake discusses more about his time on Chichijima. He details his life after the war had ended. Iwatake also discusses his time meeting President George H. W. Bush.
Tsuneishi begins his interview going through his family background, speaking about his father and mother and their journeys to Monrovia. Next, he talks about his responsibilities growing up on a farm and the recreational activities. After that, he…
After finishing his time in the Philippines, Tsuneishi arrived back in California until he was discharged at Camp Beale near Sacramento. Seeing that he already had over two years of college units, he decided to get his degree, attending UCLA with a…
Masuda discusses about being drafted and basic training. He details about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and experiences in Japan. Masuda also discusses about his family and career.
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…
Norman Ikari begins the interview talking about growing up in Seattle, Washington where he would fish often, and go to a baseball games with his father. Due to the Great Depression, his family would move down to Los Angeles, facing his first bout of…
Ikari continues to talk about his work life before the war, getting his start in chick sexing and discussing the technique to learning whether a baby chick was a male or female at the hatchery. Next, he talks about being at Los Angeles City College…
Tsukazaki describes post-war Japan including talking about visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He then talks about the head of the Varsity Victory Volunteers(VVV) who helped raise scholarship money in Hawaii, his thoughts regarding the attack on Pearl…
Miyake continues to discuss military reunions. He talks about his friends that died during combat. He continues to discuss his wife and their return to California. He describes his life in Denver, Colorado and how he adjusted to civilian life.…
Goodall discusses moving from Oklahoma to California as a child; talks about his father and his military service; discusses the Seminole tribe and the treatment of Native Americans; and talks about the history of slavery in the United States. Next,…
Goodall discusses Daniel "Chappie" James; provides some thoughts regarding segregation and the Tuskegee Airmen; discusses a book "Chappie" wrote and their friendship; and talks about his post-military work. He then talks about meeting his first and…
Honda discusses about his family and childhood upbringing. He details about his childhood friends, social activities, and his health as a child. Honda also discusses about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
Honda discusses about Seabrook Farms and working for 3M. He details about his wife, children, grandchildren, and the relationship with his brother. Honda also discusses about his involvement with Japanese Redress, his hopes for the future, and giving…
Aki begins the interview talking about his family, both of his parents were Nisei and had decided to settle in Kauai, his father being a politician, while his mother was a schoolteacher. As a child, he would grow up liking geography, while his…
Aki talks about getting to Wake Island, going on a boat and arriving to a small island, where there was nothing but Marines, some Navy and Pan-American Airlines. He would end up working in the mess hall, while the construction workers would help to…
Aki continues to talk about his experiences as a prisoner of war while in Japan. Towards the end of the war, he noticed that a lot of weird things were happening with the Japanese Army guards and that the POWs were taken out of work. He overheard…
Hagiwara continues talking about his time growing up in Ketchikan, Alaska. He would take an interest in basketball, and even be able to travel to different areas for competitions. Next, he talks about the population of his neighborhood and the…
Hagiwara discusses his whereabouts during the end of the war, and his route to get back home. He would get on a plane and take a long trip home, stopping along the way in Puerto Rico, then Miami, before taking a train to Chicago where his wife and…
Akama discusses barefoot football league and rival teams. He details about his educational experiences. Akama discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the military, and basic training.
Akama discusses his homecoming. He details about his post-war employment. Akama describes meeting his wife and raising a family. Akama shares photographs he took during the war and post-war.
