Kikuchi talks about getting drafted; his induction; and basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about his relationship with Hawaiian soldiers; discusses weapons he carried; and talks about traveling overseas. Next, Kikuchi discusses landing…
Yokooji talks about basic training at Camp Shelby; discusses 442nd Regimental Combat Team replacement soldiers; talks about the merging of the 100th and 442nd; and discusses going to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning. He then talks about…
Jack Sameshima talks about being drafted into the army and his basic training experience at Camp Shelby. He was sent to the European Theater, landed in France, then was transported to the Champagne Campaign. He describes his experience in the BAR…
Morisawa discusses influential individuals and joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Morisawa reflects on his upbringing and the community he grows up in. Morisawa recalls his experiences on the Mainland, basic training and his position as a…
Maeda discusses his journey to Camp McCoy, his experiences at Camp McCoy, Camp Shelby, and in Louisiana. He details about the voyage to and experiences in North Africa and Italy. Maeda also discusses the events after Rome and what it was like being a…
Omatsu his life after high school, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. He details about volunteering for the servicea and experiences at Camp Shelby. Omatsu also discusses about his experiences in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, describing Headquarters…
Oura continues his recollection of the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the subtle discriminations that he felt. After this, he decided that he would volunteer for the Army without his parents knowing. However, he was told the quota was filled, but…
Oura discusses more about the discrimination he saw while in Mississippi and the struggles between the Hawaiian and mainland soldiers. He also talks about his captain that made a big difference in training them and readying them for battle. He and…
Tazoi discusses what basic training was like at Camp Shelby. He details about the relationship between Mainland soldiers and Hawaiian soldiers. Tazoi also discusses his experiences in combat and as a radioman.
Konno discusses receiving visitors while at Pomona temporary detention facility, then volunteering to go to Heart Mountain incarceration camp to build barracks, as well as his interactions with the armed guards. He then talks about his desire to…
Makino talks about traveling to Tulare temporary detention center and Gila River Concentration Camp; discipline he experienced growing up; working at post office in Gila River, and his enemy alien classification. He then talks about volunteering for…
Makino talks about basic training, tells a story about an officer who was killed in action, and discusses meeting up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy. He then talks about some of his combat experiences overseas; his interactions with…
Yukimura discusses Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details about being in the Hawaii Territorial Guard and being discharged from the guard. Yukimura also discusses how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed and he joined the Army. He also details…
Nagaki talks about his duties as part of D Company, life at Camp Shelby including going into town, and his experiences witnessing segregation in Mississippi. He then talks about traveling overseas and landing in Oran, and then going to Naples. Next,…
Masunaga discusses his family, the family farm, and growing up in Colorado. He details growing up during The Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Mansunaga also discusses about joining the service, becoming a medic, and basic training.
Ushijima continues to discusses his work on a plantation. He also continues to talk about working for American Factors. He describes volunteering for the military. He talks about patriotism. He discusses the influence of military chaplains. He…
Ushijima talks about a social dance that he attended while on base. He discusses his basic training. He describes a visits he made to Rohwer Concentration Camp. He talks about a USO performer named Yuri Kochiyama. He discusses Hattiesburg,…
Miyagawa discusses what it was like growing up in Spreckelsville. He gives details about being drafted and the affects of Pearl Harbor. Miyagawa also discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby.
Oshiro discusses about his early experiences in the army, traveling to the Mainland, and Mississippi. He details about his experiences at Camp Shelby and visiting Jerome Concentration Camp. Oshiro also discusses about his voyage overseas, arriving…
Asato begins the interview talking about his family background, including his parents coming from Okinawa prefecture and settling down on Maui. He talks about growing up in Paia, attending Paia School and picking pineapples at Maui Pineapple. He…
Yamamoto discusses his first impressions of Manzanar incarceration camp and talks about the living conditions there; as well as his employment working in a camouflage factory, hospital, and sugar beet farming in Idaho. He then talks about the loyalty…
Kaneshige discusses blackouts, rations, and other reactions after Pearl Harbor. Kaneshiga and his friend "Bulldog" volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He recalls going to Schofield Barracks, the Mainland, and Camp Shelby. He also…
Miho discusses the pre-war political climate. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Miho also discusses his experiences at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
Miho discusses about Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He details about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Miho also discusses about visiting American Concentration Camps, friends, and being assigned 522nd Field Artillery Battalion.
Miho discusses about artillery training and his hearing. He details about arriving in and his experiences. Miho also discusses about his first combat experiences.
In this segment, Katsumi "Kats" Hikido talks about his time serving in the military, starting with details from his experiences in basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He also takes a moment to reflect and speak about the loyalty…
Tabata discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby and the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He details about his team leader and being to sent to India. Tabata also discusses about his experiences in India, Burma, and his…
Hayakawa talks about his father’s reasons for going to Japan and Manchuria; discusses his childhood trip to Japan; talks about his post-high school employment working at a coal mine; and talks about his life after Executive Order 9066. Next, Hayakawa…
Hamasaki begins by giving a background of his family, as well as a sense of what it was like growing up in Maui. Next, he talks about the Pearl Harbor attacks and the effects that it had on the community, the ministers and the Japanese language…
He explains how the 100th Infantry Battalion was formed. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses Camp McCoy. He talks about being a part of F Company. He also talks about dating. He describes his rank. He discusses his captain's…
Muto discusses his life at [Gila River] Concentration Camp, discusses basic training at Camp Shelby, and talks about the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He then talks about fighting with other soldiers, his Army job delivering…
Kazuo Fujii discusses his personal experiences after Pearl Harbor, seeing his family before their evacuation, and visiting American Concentration Camps. Next, he talks about the basic training for combat engineers, and the altercations between…
Hinatsu discusses the regimental structure of the Headquarters company and communications platoon. While at Camp Shelby, he would begin his work in the cadre, teaching discipline to the new Army recruits. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and…
Saiki discusses his experiences being a Hawaii Territorial Guard after Pearl Harbor attack and how he enlisted in the 442 Regiment after he declined joining the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He talks about how his family reacted to his enlisted. He…
Miya discusses hearing about Pearl Harbor on the radio on December 7, 1941. During this time, Miya is 18 years old attending Senior year of High School. He did not feel racism or prejudices from his classmates. However, he does experiences racism…
Onodera discusses about living in Los Angeles. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Onodera also discusses about forced removal, experiences at Manzanar Concentration Camp, volunteering for service, and Camp Shelby.
Onodera discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about joining the Military Intelligence Service and his experiences at Camp Savage. Onodera also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Yamaki discusses about his family and growing up in Utah. He details about remembering December 7, 1941 and the affects of Executive Order 9066. Yamaki also discusses about being drafted, his experiences Camp Shelby, and heading overseas.
K. Yaguchi shares recollections of evacuating home with his family and describes in detail the camp facilities. He also talks about his military training and early combat experiences in the Europe. He relays anecdotes regarding: segregation in…
Akune describes his basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and his life on a liberty ship before landing in Perth, Australia, his assignment working on a propaganda project and his duties as a part of a propaganda project and interrogating…
Inada talks about his shipment to mainland America, seeing the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge on the way and then landing in Oakland. When arriving, all soldiers would have their diaries taken away and told they would not be able to get them back.…
Ota continues his recollection of going to Camp Shelby for basic training. He talks about the rivalry between the Hawaiian soldiers and the mainland soldiers and seeing segregation in the South. He would spend a year at Camp Shelby before being…
Takehara begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Maui. During his childhood, he would attend school and Japanese language school, where he would learn kendo and judo. He would attend high school in Maui and then…
Kent Kajiwara continues to talk about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He discusses the FBI's attempt to arrest his father. He talks about his security work while working at Hawaiian Pineapple. He talks about enlisting in the Army. He…
Kajiwara describes the cohesiveness of Company K. He talks about his interactions with a top officer at Camp Shelby. He shares his memories of his visit to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He discusses his friendship with Earl Finch. Kajiwara describes his…
Takabayashi discusses the reason he joined the army and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his voyage overseas. Takabayashi also discusses about arriving in France.
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses working at a meet market after graduating high school until he volunteers for the service. Morimoto does not feel discrimination prewar. He says during that time each ethnic group lives in their own perspective camp.…
Yoshii talks about what happened to his family after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes his life while stationed in Fort Warren. He discusses discrimination in the military. He explains his experiences while stationed in Nebraska. He talks…
Yoshii describes the type of music that he liked during wartime. He talks about his military training. Yoshii discusses his journey to Italy. He also describes his combat experiences in France and Italy.
Yamate discusses getting drafted and going to Fort Warren where he had duties as a guard. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor, getting married, and provides some thoughts regarding receiving his draft notice. Next, he talks about his son…
Yamate discusses the terminology when it comes to talking about relocation centers vs. concentration camps; and talks about his experiences in the barracks when President Roosevelt visited Fort Riley. He then talks about his experiences at Camp…
Hisatomi talks about his experiences while at the Turlock Temporary Detention Center. He talks about what his family was able to keep after their forced removal. He discusses his journey to Gila River Concentration Camp. He shares his first…
Hisatomi continues to talk about his basic training. He shares his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the "no-no boys." He discusses receiving shipping orders and his journey to Europe. He shares his first impressions of Naples, Italy. He…
Fujimoto talks about his defense work in Hawaii. He explains his own reaction to the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He discusses the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He describes his journey to the Mainland. He talks about his short stay in a…
Kazumura discusses the reasons for changing his name; his employment at Pearl Harbor including his duties as a heavy equipment mechanic; and discusses his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor which included describing the airplanes he saw…
Ishikawa discusses about his journey to the Mainland and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his experiences in Italy. Ishikawa also discusses about his experiences in France and leaves a message for future generations.
Sakai discusses the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers; talks about the Hawaiian soldiers who visited incarceration camps in Arkansas; and describes the term, "katonk". Teruya then discusses a song sang by Hawaiian soldiers; talks…
Kurihara discusses leaving Poston Concentration Camp and about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about heading overseas and landing in Naples. Kurihara discusses about his first combat experiences in Italy, becoming a runner for the 442nd…
Takiguchi discusses his parents, siblings, and growing up in Kauai, Hawaii including talking about his friendships while living on a plantation, and recreational activities. He also talks about New Years Eve celebrations, discusses school, and…
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 about living in Japan, schooling, and the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about his home life and experiences at Camp Shelby. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in the military, at camp Savage, and his family.
Hirasaki talks about his father being picked up by FBI agents after Pearl Harbor bombing; and his father's experience in captivity. He also discusses how he became part of the 522nd battalion and his duties. In addition he shares recollections of:…
Oshita continues talking about her children and grandchildren, and the values that were passed down to them. She continues to be the secretary for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team club. Next, they talk about keeping the support for the history of the…
In this segment, Martin Tohara talks about Camp Shelby and his travels aboard a troop ship before finally ending up in combat in Europe. Traveling by troop ship, Tohara and his unit went across the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean to…
Yoshida discusses about his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. He details about his experiences at Camp Shelby and relationship with his squad-mates. Yoshida also discusses about his experiences as a cook while serving in Europe.
Ishida discusses traveling to Tanforan temporary detention facility and Topaz Concentration Camp; the security at Tanforan and Topaz; and his experiences at Topaz including living conditions, recreational activities, and Kibei. He then talks about…
Doi talks about his reasons leading up to joining the Army, including having feelings that the United States would get involved with the war, and forming the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV). He would be inducted and be shipped over to the mainland,…
Doi talks more about his time at Camp Shelby, giving a couple of stories of close-calls, one including a grenade and the other including a mine that ended up being a dud. After this, he would head to Europe, where his duties included running supplies…
Tsuda talks about facing discrimination after the war and not being served at a gas station. He would go on to volunteer with the Army, get inducted at Fort Douglas and began basic training at Camp Shelby. There, he would join up with E company and…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto begins by discussing his favorite school subjects before elaborating on his interest in history, and specifically military history. He then recalls visiting Gettysburg while stationed on the East coast and how…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto recounts parts of his military service. He begins by discussing his time at basic training before moving on to his unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He elaborates by discussing the chemistry between the…
Muramoto discusses growing up in Hilo, Hawaii; and talks about his parents, siblings, recreational activities, school, speaking Japanese at home, and religion. He also talks about a classmate who was killed in action, playing softball, childhood…
Muramoto discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor, blackout restrictions; and describes Camp Shelby including discussing food, basic training, going into Hattiesburg; and his experiences with segregation and discrimination. He then reads a letter sent…
Following Hara's voluntary service to the Army, he was shipped out from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii to Camp Shelby in Mississippi to undergo basic training. Along with the various training exercises, Hara also discusses fishing and the origin of his…
M. Fujita talks about his childhood experiences in San Diego county circa 1930s. He also talks about his family's experiences in Santa Anita and Poston. He shares anecdotes regarding: basic training in Camp Shelby, getting wounded in combat, and his…
Tamashiro discusses his experiences at Camp Shelby, visiting Jerome Concentration Camp, and traveling on the Mainland. He details about food and some of his early experiences in the war. Tamashiro also discusses his combat experiences.
Mr. Tsubota discusses his role as a supply officer in the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. Mr. Tsubota was shipped out after his training at Camp Shelby where he served in Italy helping to procure supplies for the infantry. Mr. Tsubota discusses his…
Tagawa talks about his birthplace. He shares his parents backstories. He talks about his father's business. He describes his mothers family. He explains how his father immigrated to the United States. He describes his Japanese identity. He describes…
Tagawa describes the discrimination he witnessed while living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He talks about his basic training. He discusses military food and relaxation time. He describes his military training. He talks about G Company. He discusses…
Matsunaga speaks about joining the Army and beginning his training at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu. From there, he was promoted to corporal and eventually to buck sergeant as he decided to volunteer for the 442nd regiment. They were shipped out to…
Kojimoto explains how he met his wife at Santa Anita Assembly Center He describes what he did in his leisure time at Santa Anita Assembly Center. He talks about his employment at Santa Anita. He discusses working and living in Utah. He talks about…
Hamasu discusses his role and duties as staff sergeant in F Company, leaving Hawaii and being assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion, and what it was like traveling to the Mainland and going to Wisconsin for basic training at Camp McCoy. Hamasu…
Doi discusses how he got his nickname, growing up in Kauai on a plantation, working at a gas station, and playing sports in high school. He also talks about attending Japanese language school, religion, friendships, and the attack on Pearl Harbor and…
Doi discusses traveling from Hawaii to the mainland, traveling to Camp Shelby, and talks about his experiences at Camp Shelby including basic training, recreational activities, corresponding with his family, and weapons training. He then provides…
Teraoka talks about his experiences with segregation in the south; and life at Camp Shelby including discussing his mentors, the barracks, the weather, and food. He then talks about how he got his nickname, provides an explanation of the word katonk,…
Tanaka discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Shelby. He details about the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Tanaka also discusses his early military experience in Africa and Italy.
Saito starts this segment discussing mass media communication differences between two rival newspapers in Honolulu. Saito also discusses his military basic training and how his military assignment changed from rifleman to mail clerk. He talks about…
After graduating from high school, Shintani joined the Army, going to basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. It was here that he saw firsthand, the segregation throughout the South. At the same time, he would see fighting between Hawaiian and…
Tahara discusses his father's incarceration at Sand Island and the living conditions that he had to deal with there. Next, he talks about his induction into the Army and the processes of getting uniforms and equipment at Schofield Barracks. Following…
Tahara discusses his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, training with other Nisei soldiers, including some Nisei officers that had come from Fort Benning. After this, he discusses the American concentration camps and how the Hawaiian soldiers felt…
Nelson Akagi tells of his training at Camp Shelby and shipping out to the European theater. He recounts his first combat experiences and the emotions he experienced upon seeing a dead Nisei soldier. He also talks about good and bad officers and being…
Ikari discusses where his family ended up after Executive Order 9066 was signed, sent to a mixture of Rohwer, Poston and Manzanar Concentration Camps. While visiting on leave, he would see the barbed wire in certain sections of the camp and the…
Tsukazaki discusses Hawaiian fish ponds including his family’s fish pond, friendships growing up, his involvement with the Varsity Victory Volunteers(VVV), and his friendship with the YMCA director at University of Hawaii. He then talks about a…
Shimizu discusses about having pride, trying to volunteer , and getting drafted. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor and his experiences from Poston Concentration Camp. Shimizu also discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby.
Yamashita talks more about his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. There, he see segregation of races for the first time and talks about some of the experiences he had there. He also talks about meeting Earl Finch and how generous he was towards the…
Peterson discusses his experiences training new recruits and as a heavy weapons platoon leader; and describes the duties of H Company as well as the structure of the United States Army. He then talks about his participation in maneuvers; discusses…
Takisaki talks about his birthplace. He describes his mother and father's early lives. He explains why his father immigrated to the United States. He discusses his parents marriage. He talks about the Japanese cultural concept of a Mukoyoshi.…
Naito shares recollections of cultural tensions between Hawaiian and mainland soldiers during basic training; and overall race relations during the era. He also discusses his battle experience and what it was like to get wounded in combat. He also…
Following the American concentration camps in Idaho, Tochihara would volunteer for the Army, wanting to fight for the country he was born and raised in. After a 30 day furlough, he would begin his basic training at Camp Shelby as a replacement for…
