Nishioka talks about Japanese language school and primary school. He also discusses his experiences in high school. He briefly describes a carpentry apprenticeship he had as a youth. He explains the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Nishioka…
In this segment Uyemura talks about where he got the means to build his Ford Model T car and the beginnings of his service in the Army upon being drafted. After Pearl Harbor, he talks about his reaction to the attack, his family being relocated, and…
In this segment, we briefly hear Uyemura talking about his shoes and how he only wore one pair of boots. The interviewer picks back up in mid conversation about Uyemura using his military leave to visit his family in camp and how easy it was to sneak…
Nishimura recollects on his experiences during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He also talks about the different changes that took place in the military in light of the attack. Lastly, Nishimura discusses segregation in the military and how that…
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.…
Takekawa discusses his assignment in Okinawa training police officers in the Provost Marshal’s office; and talks about his wife, life in Okinawa, getting discharged, and returning to Hawaii. He then talks about working as a sales manager in…
Hamada discusses more about basic training. Hamada details about volunteering for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Hamada discusses the specialized training he received from OSS.
Hamada discusses what the role the OSS played in Burma. He details his experiences during his first assignment. Hamada also discusses a little more about the specialized OSS training that he received.
Hamada discusses Operation Magpie and the role he played in it. He also details of what some of the Doolittle Flyers went through as prisoners of war. Hamada discusses his family.
Nishihara discusses what it was like growing up in Maui. He details about joining the Hawaiian National Guard and his experiences while in the National Guard. Nishihara also discusses the journey to becoming the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Archilla discusses providing supplies via aircraft to The Lost Battalion and some of his other experiences in Europe. He details the awards he received and his accident reports. Archilla also discusses about his post-military life, family, and…
In this segment, Frank Kimura recaps the celebrations and holidays his family would participate in. He also shared his feelings about living in America and the meaning of being an American. Being an American citizen, Kimura decided to join the…
Steidl discusses about his experiences in the Vietnam War and his life after military service. He details about being acquainted with Japanese culture and writing his book. Steidl also discusses about his interactions with Nisei veterans.
Steidl discusses his ideas of the negativity of Fascism and the challenges of preventing Fascist regimes from gaining power. He also discusses the atrocities of war and gives some specific examples from WWII through the Iraq war. He discusses his…
Tanakatsubo discusses what it was like growing up being Japanese American living in California. He details how he ended up in MIS and his mindset along the way. Tanakatsubo also discusses his experiences on the Aleutian Islands. He reflects on the…
Otoshi discusses his grandson; his involvement with the 171st Infantry Battalion; and talks about his assignment training 442nd replacement soldiers. He also talks about his experiences at Officer Candidate School; and discusses the differences…
Katagiri discusses life after leaving Tule Lake, including moving to Minnesota and going to college. Katagiri also details about the experiences of being drafted and basic training. Katagiri discusses what it was like being stationed in Japan after…
Sakato discusses surviving in combat. He details the Assault on Hill 617. He also discusses his experiences while being wounded. Sakato details about receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.
Sakato gives more details about Hill 617 and being upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Sakato discusses his life after leaving the army. He also discusses the aspect of discrimination.
Top row, left: United States Capitol Building, view from left. Top row, middle: US Capitol Building, view from left. Top row, right: "Freiden, 1944. Stacking some wooden crates." Left column: The US Capitol Building, view from left. Corner left: "The…
Riess discusses his free time in Japan and how his time in Japan helped his future career path. Next, he talks about visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the atomic bombs and how manufacturing in Japan took off after the war for companies like Honda…
Tokashiki talks about his parents immigration to America. He discusses his parents launch into farming. He explains why his family moved to Honolulu. He describes his father's other careers. He briefly talks about high school and his involvement in…
Tokashiki explains how his unit rescued the Lost Battalion. He describes how he guarded a hillside. He talks about his journey to Italy from France. He discusses the Gothic Line and Po Valley. He talks about the end of World War Two and his final…
In this video clip, Harry Fukuhara talks about his military experience during the Occupation of Japan. He describes the important role that he and other Nisei linguists played during the occupation. He also offers input about what the American…
Kubo continues talking about his experiences in the Pacific Theater, including making sukiyaki in Luzon using meat and K rations. Shortly after, the end of the war would occur and his team would be moved to Fukuoka in Japan. There, he would be able…
Kuniyoshi discusses and describes his parents upbringing, background, characteristics, personalities, and careers. Hideo discusses his childhood growing up in Hilo, Hawaii including his childhood activities, neighborhood, attending Japanese language…
Mr. Kuniyoshi discusses how he received the nickname "Lefty" and shares his memories from the morning of the Pearl Harbor attack. After the attack, he decided to serve his country by first enlisting in the Hawaiian Territorial Guard and later the …
Mr. Kuniyoshi describes his time at Camp Shelby, discussing his role as a squad leader and discusses some of the former members of his squad. He next talks about being shipped to the frontline in Italy and describes a situation in which his platoon…
Kuniyoshi discusses the action he saw throughout Europe, including battles which liberated the city of Bruyeres, France and helped rescue the "Lost Battalion." Shortly after fighting in the Gothic Line, the war ended in Europe and he was discharged…
In this final part of the interview, Mr. Kuniyoshi talks about his daughters and grandchildren. He discusses values passed on by his parents and helping work in the family's jewelry store when he came back from Europe. Mr. Kuniyoshi also discusses…
Arisumi describes more stories about anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, more information about mines, close calls from mine detonations, and "Blackie" Shimashita. In addition, he remembers bangalore torpedoes, clearing minefields and roadblocks,…
Hiroshi Yafuso talks about being inducted into the Army and his overall experiences while in the military. Yafuso discusses his military decorations, post military life, and family. He briefly talks about his translation work and his siblings.
Yoshimoto discusses the effects that Pearl Harbor had on him and his family. He also discusses about his time spent in the Army Air Corps before being reassigned. Yoshimoto details about the time he visited Minidoka.
Yoshimoto discusses how he ended up joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He also details he experiences in MIS before heading to Japan. Yoshimoto discusses his voyage to and arrival in Japan.
Inouye discusses his wife and attending college. He details about the reactions to the Atomic Bombings. He shows the bullet that wounded him and his entry wound. He also gives a message to future generations.
Kawanishi begins the interview with an introduction and talking about his family that immigrated from Japan to Los Angeles. He would briefly go back to Japan and then return where he would fish with his father and get involved with various sports…
Yokooji discusses his experiences post high school including farming with his father, working at the Dole Cannery, and working as a carpenter for the Department of Defense. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath including…
Araki begins the interview with a short introduction and speaking about his time at the Japanese language school. Being born in Sacramento and then moving to Hawaii, he had a different type of upbringing than most kids in Hawaii. The kids would call…
James Iso recalls his duties in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and about his experiences working for the government after completing his military career. At the end of the interview, Iso shares some memorabilia from his military service.
Meada discusses his childhood and religion. He details about being drafted into the Army and December 7, 1941. Meada also discusses working at the post exchange and his journey to California.
Katayama discusses his family and what it was like growing up in Ogden, Utah. He details about how he volunteered for the army and his experiences while in the service. Katayama also discusses he experiences post-war.
Ikemori talks about his early life in Hawaii. He describes his family's move to Japan. He briefly discusses his education in Japan. He talks about teaching Japanese language school in Hawaii. He discusses the languages spoken in his childhood home.…
Onodera discusses his, and his brothers', experiences serving in the US military. He talks about working at Vint Hills Farm Station in Virginia, and later working in Yokohama after the war ended. He discusses the post-war living conditions in Japan…
Yatsu describes how he would leave Poston to go to the Colorado River. He continues to talk about being drafted. Then he describes basic training and life at Camp Blanding. He explains what he knew about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team before he…
Lawrence Yatsu gives advice to veterans who are contemplating sitting for a oral history interview. He also gives more advice to the next generation. Yatsu explains the affect of his war time injury on his psyche. He contrast his intellectual nature…
Abe gives an overview of his military career and discusses his family. He details about his childhood and schooling. Abe also discusses about growing up in Los Angeles and his home life.
Unoura describes the schooling he received while living in a Concentration Camp. He continues to describes his journey to Camp Blanding. He talks about what his daily life was like while stationed at Camp Blanding. Unoura explains an interaction he…
Unoura talks about traveling to Europe on the Queen Mary. He explains his role as a replacement soldier. He describes his military duties, including guarding rail yards. He explains how a soldier's last name determined what unit he was placed in.…
Masuda discusses his college years and marriage. He talks about Camp Roberts and Japanese language school. Masuda explains why he was transferred to Fort Sill. He describes how he trained Japanese and Hawaiian soldiers at Camp Shelby. He also…
Yokoyama discusses his family and home life. He details about volunteering for the Army and his farewell parade. Yokoyama also discusses about traveling, music, and his assignment in the military.
In this segment, Martin Tohara talks about the nickname he was given during basic training in relation to his rank as 1st Sergeant. Tohara also talks about some good and bad memories during the war, one of them being a funny story about a necklace a…
In this segment, Martin Tohara talks about the different types of heavy weaponry he encountered during the war. He also shares his memories of Spark Matsunaga. Tohara also speaks about how after being drafted he was asked to help with pronunciation…
Tsuida discusses family and leaving Poston Concentration Camp to work in Chicago. He details about being drafted, basic training, and his experiences post-war.
Masako "Mary" Yamada was a United States Army Nurse during World War II. She was born in Belvedere, California, but moved to New York City during her youth, where she attended nursing school and volunteered to be a US Army Nurse. She describes her…
Jack Hirose describes his children and grandchildren, and about sharing his military experience with them. In addition, he talks about his brother's service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Finally, he discuses the loyalty questionnaire and…
Hashimoto describes his travels across Hawaii for Judo tournaments. He talks about his memories of secondary school. He describes each of his siblings lives and careers. He briefly discusses his high school graduation and his college studies.…
Mr. Black discusses his childhood growing up in southern California and his involvement with the Methodist church and orchestra. Mr. Black recounts his hearing the news of the Pearl Harbor attack and how he viewed Japanese-Americans at that time.…
In this brief segment, Mr. Black talks about his trip across the Atlantic Ocean on the troop ship, the USS Breckinridge. He discusses his duties on the ship and describes the voyage to North Africa.
Mr. Black talks about his trip across the Atlantic, where he landed in North Africa and was eventually deployed to Salerno, Italy. Assigned as a forward observer, Mr. Black saw his first action at the Battle of Monte Cassino and described his various…
Mr. Black briefly talks about his illnesses which led to his evacuation to the United States and his subsequent discharge from the Army. He next describes his life after his military service, including attending college and his career in the trucking…
Mr. Black discusses values that his parents taught him that helped him throughout his life. He also talks about what his father told him before leaving for military service and his own similar messages for his sons when they left. Mr. Black concludes…
This interview segment records color photographs taken of Mitsuo Tominaga's squad during WWII in southern France, and a number of certificates that he possesses.
Mr. Hayashi introduces himself and offers some background information about himself and his family. Mr. Hayashi speaks at length about his parents, why they came to his hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado, their occupations, and where they were from…
Mr. Hayashi begins the interview by discussing a few aspects of wrestling including how he learned his wrestling skills, what it was like being a state champion, and putting on fake wrestling performances for the Forty & Eight Club. Mr. Hayashi next…
Mr. Hayashi describes attempting to enlist into the Army, where he was initially rejected. He went on to look for work in Utah, eventually landing job at the Utah Power and Light Company in Salt Lake City. After finding out about the Nisei military…
Mr. Hayashi describes his experiences during basic training, discussing his relationship with the Hawaiian soldiers, his weapons training, and the camaraderie amongst his troop. His battalion was shipped out from Newport News, Virginia and landed in…
Mr. Hayashi offers several stories about his combat experience throughout this section. He first describes the German 88mm artillery gun and being fired upon by it. During this battle, Mr. Hayashi encountered his first American casualty, which had a…
Mr. Hayashi talks about his service throughout France, particularly in the Vosges Mountains region and some of the experiences he had during combat. Mr. Hayashi also describes some funny and memorable encounters including his being mistaken for an…
Mr. Hayashi discusses the morale of his unit after facing heavy combat in France. Soon after this, the unit would return to Italy to join up with the African American 92nd Infantry to help with the offensive campaign. Mr. Hayashi goes on to discuss…
Mr. Hayashi opens by discussing the dissolution of his first marriage in this brief section. He goes on to talk about the legacy of the Nisei soldier and the 442's place in history. The video concludes with Mr. Hayashi showing off some photographs of…
Hishinuma talks about his birthplace in Oahu, Hawaii. He explains how he got his name. He describes his family's poverty. He discusses his life on a plantation. He talks about his father's early life. He describes the Concentration Camps built for…
R. Katayama discusses his legal career in and outside the U.S. military. He talks about completing higher education and discusses his family. In addition he provides anecdotes regarding: the 1967 Detroit Riots, working at a prestigious law firm, and…
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…
Mr. Watanabe first discusses where he was born and raised, and talks about his passion for music, which included a career as a musician. Leading a unique military career, Mr. Watanabe served in the 442nd and the MIS, before he was finally assigned to…
Mr. Watanabe discusses the importance of Nisei storytelling and committing these stories to tape through oral histories. He next describes what it was like coming back to Hawaii after the war and talks about the important event of Hawaiian statehood.…
Kimoto details the process of volunteering for The 442nd. Kimoto discusses his journey from Hawaii to San Fransisco and from San Fransisco to Mississippi. He also discusses about his time at Camp Shelby and in Mississippi.
Takata talks about the military supplies he needed on the front lines. He describes his time in Bruyères and the army reserves. He discusses the Champagne Campaign and his military decorations. Takata talks about the time he spent in Nice. He briefly…
Hayashi recounts his family and childhood growing up on a plantation in Hawaii. He describes working with his parents on the plantation and later jobs he worked to try to make a living wage. Hayashi was drafted into the 65th Engineer Battalion in…
Hayashi recalls his thoughts on the ship from Hawaii to the mainland, unsure of where he was going and the nature of his military assignment. Arriving first at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, he later was sent to Camp Shelby, where he underwent more basic…
Hayashi recalls battles in Coli, Italy and Cassino, Italy. After taking medical leave, he arrived back to his company in time for the Anzio Campaign, where he soon received the Distinguished Service Cross. Hayashi concludes by discussing his memories…
Hayashi wraps up the discussion about his military service, discussing his trip back home and visiting cities on the mainland on his way back. Hayashsi describes the reunion with his parents and friends on his return to Hawaii and also talks about…
Asahina describes the Russian army and discusses the best and worst experiences during the war. He details about returning home and settling in Toledo, Ohio. Asahina also discusses his family and his son also gets interviewed.
Yamamoto discusses his family and overviews his childhood. He details about a trip he took to China and Japan. Yamamoto also discusses religion, experiences with discrimination, and his parents reaction to enlisting into the Army.
Mrs. Kato was raised on a farm in Nebraska and describes her early childhood growing up in the rural community of North Platte. Mrs. Kato volunteered to join the Women's Army Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor, where she served with the…
S. Takahashi discusses growing up poor in a village on Maui. He talks about his parents, and how they got married. He also explains how his mother had a son in the Japanese military in addition to his service in the U.S. military during World War 2.
Satow talks about his combat experiences in Italy and Hill 140; and his job assignment in his company. He also talks about the voyage overseas and downtime on the front line of battle. He shares anecdotes regarding: a friend KIA, relations with…
Toyoda discusses Executive Order 9066 and people who were nice to him, even though he was Japanese American. He details about discrimination that he witnessed. Toyoda briefly discusses attending the Military Intelligence Service Language School…
Tokuda discusses his life after World War Two. He talks about his marriage and children. He describes discriminatory events he endured while looking for work. Tokuda also reflects on his war experiences and the legacy of WW2 Nisei veterans.
