A history of the 176th Language Detachment, Japanese American linguist paratroopers assigned to the 11th Airborne Division in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre.
In this first interview with Senator Daniel Akaka, Mr. Akaka discusses his family background, childhood, and what his life was like growing up in Hawaii. Senator Akaka describes the day of the Pearl Harbor attack, what news he heard about the…
Senator Akaka focuses on the importance of recognition of Nisei soldiers and describes the role he played in upgrading awards and helping secure Medal of Honor designations for a group of Nisei veterans. Senator Akaka also discusses a book which…
Arakaki continues his discussion on his time interpreting in the Philippines and the other places that he served during the war. He would also have the chance to visit Okinawa and see his family that was living there. He also talks about the time…
Bothwell speaks of his time in New York and the New England area and his life as a civilian. He speaks about finding employment and his near hire at California-Texas Oil Company. He also speaks about his desire to go to Harvard Business School.
Harry Fukuhara discusses his recruitment into the Military Intelligence Service, and the difficulty most Nisei and Kibei had with the decision to volunteer for military service while being interned. He talks about being sent to Minnesota (Fort…
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada describes much of his life prior to the war. He first describes his awareness of the tensions between countries that eventually boiled over into total war. Next, Harada recalls his family moving to Japan prior…
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada describes many of his war experiences. First, Harada recalls meeting two Navajo code talkers in New Guinea. Next, he recalls being wounded during a Kamikaze attack at Leyte and having to be evacuated to treat…
Hashimoto talks about Camp Savage. He describes his squad's military invasion in the Pacific. He talks about his experiences while stationed in the Pacific region. He discusses his service for the Counter Intelligence Service. Hashimoto talks about…
Higashino describes photographs shown on camera. He continues to talk about Japanese language school. He describes his cultural heritage. He discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He talks about his journey to the Mainland and…
Higashino talks about his interpretation and interrogation work. He describes his return to New Delhi. He discusses volunteering to go to China. He talks about his return to the United States. He shares his other memories of South East Asia. He…
Iwatake discusses getting sunk by a submarine and arriving to Chichijima. He details about his experiences on Chichijima. He also discusses his relationship with Warren Earl Vaughn.
Yukio Kawamoto describes the horrors of war that he witnessed during his military experience in the Pacific Theater. He talks about his time in Manila during the Philippine Campaign, and how he was sent on furlough back to the United States. Once he…
Kimura talks about his experiences as an interrogator throughout the war, speaking with Japanese prisoners of war and trying to get as much information as possible. He talks about finding a piece of paper which showed the date and location of an…
Kono discusses his experiences cave-flushing which involved talking Japanese civilians and soldiers out of caves. He then talks about his assignment in occupied Japan; getting discharged; and his experiences interrogating Japanese POWs. Next, Kono…
Kono discusses suicides of civilians on Saipan; and discusses his best wartime memories which included food, and recreational activities. He then talks about seeing his family again and his post-war life in Hawaii; discusses the end of the war; and…
F. Masuoka discusses his experiences working with Japanese soldiers and civilians in Japan and Korea after Japan's surrender in World War 2. He talks about his role as a military linguist. He also discusses his how he volunteered for U.S. military…
Paul discusses his experience during maritime combat including details regarding the threats he faced during wartime. Moreover, Paul talks about the German's wartime strategy and how effective was against the Allied Forces. Paul recalls his…
Matsumoto describes being chosen for a secret mission with Merrill's Marauders and his journey from San Francisco to India. Assigned to a group and having gone through training, Merrill's Marauders moved through northern India and into Burma to…
James McNaughton begins the interview by giving a short biographical introduction and how he came to work for the Defense Language Institute. Next he discusses learning about the Nisei and their role in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).…
James McNaughton begins this interview part by discussing the differences between the Nisei fighting in the different theaters of War in WWII. Next, he discusses the importance of military intelligence to the war effort, and the Nisei's contributions…
Mori continues his discussion on cave experiences while serving overseas in Okinawa. Following Okinawa, he is moved back to the Philippines until the end of the war. After thinking they would be sent back home after the atomic bombs, they are instead…
Victor Nishijima talks about shipping out overseas from Honolulu, Hawaii. He describes his first experience in battle in Guam. He was assigned bodyguards so as not to be mistaken as the enemy. He talks about his experiences during the Battle of…
In this video clip, Victor Nishijima talks about the worst things he witnessed during the war. He also talks about rescuing Japanese civilians (prisoners of war). He goes on to describe the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Ogata discusses about volunteering for service and joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about his military training. Ogata also discusses about his experiences overseas.
Discussing about his experiences overseas. He details about going to Officer Candidate School (OSC), his family, and life after the Army. Ogata also discusses about his time stationed in Canada.
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his experiences as a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) serving in the Pacific Theater. Specifically, Okada served in New Guinea and the Philippines. Okada also talks about meeting his…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada begins a new day of interviews by reintroducing himself and providing some background information. Okada then recalls his time on a troop ship headed to New Guinea and how men would pass the time during travel.…
Okubo discusses basic training at Camp Savage, Fort Snelling and Camp Blanding. When Okubo receives a furlough, he goes to New York. In New York he goes sight seeing, and watches an ice skating show.
Okubo discusses his interpreter experience and interrogation tactics with the Prisoners of War at Palau. Okubo is at Palau for two to three weeks before moving to the next invasion.
The next assignment for Okubo is psychological warfare. He…
Okubo discusses Guadalcanal, Marshall Islands and his duties of getting the Prisoners of War (POW) ready to ship back to Japan. Preliminary investigation of Unites States soldiers' casualty postpones Okubo from being discharge. Soon after, Okubo…
Tanaka discusses taking a furlough to Sydney before going to the Philippines. Tanaka is diagnosis with tuberculosis. He then is sent back to the mainland to Denver for treatment and then back to Hawaii for discharge.
Mitsuo Tominaga talks about the duties performed while in an infantry regiment prior to WWII. Next he describes the Pearl Harbor attack and what it meant to his unit. Lastly he recounts patrols along the California coast looking for a potential…
Toyoda discusses how he met his wife and getting married. He detail about how Nisei soldiers were treated and being assigned to New Caledonia. Toyoda also discusses about his experiences interrogating Japanese Prisoners of War (POW).
Umeda discusses about growing up in Sacramento, California and his family. He details about being drafted, aftermath from Pearl, and joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Umeda also discusses about his experiences in the Military…
Discussing his experiences in the Philippines, discussing Sister Kenny, and trying to find a home. He details about the interrogation techniques he used. Umeda also discusses about a typical day in the South Pacific.
Honorable discharge certificate and form, front and back of the same page. Includes military record of service, Nakagawa was in both the European and Asiatic-Pacific Theatres.
Yamada discusses his time in the Dutch East Indies now know as Indonesia. He describes seeing a lot of casualties of Prisoners of War (POWs). He says the action happens so quickly that bodies keeping piling up.
Yamada discusses about his family, briefly living in Japan, and growing up in Kahului, Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and being drafted. Yamada also discusses about joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), his…
Yokoyama discusses about being bugler and music. He details about joining and his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Yokoyama discusses about the atomic bombings.
Yoshioka discusses life at Camp Savage during Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), and his assignment in Australia translating prisoners of war (POW) interrogations. He then talks about his guard duty assignment in New Guinea, other…
Yuki discusses about being sent Manila and his experiences while there. He details about his duties and experiences while in Japan. Yuki also discusses about coming back home and raising a family.
Yukimura discusses about his duties in Australia, New Guinea, and Manila. He details about his experiences in Japan during the Allied Occupation of Japan. Yukimura also discusses about being present for the Official Surrender of Japan on the USS…
