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…
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…
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…
Growing up, Don Seki attended Japanese language school and took Kendo classes. He talks about how he used to walk around barefoot all the time in Hawaii. After volunteering to join the U.S. Army, he was shipped to Camp Shelby for basic training. He…
Don Seki describes the reputation of the Nisei soldiers from Hawaii -- their relationship with the Mainland Nisei, fights with Caucasian soldiers, etc. He talks about what he did for leisure during basic training at Camp Shelby. He describes what…
Harry Akune recalls meeting his wife in Chicago after the war. He describes his Japanese language training at the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, where they studied Japanese military language. Half-way through his…
Tsukiyama was among the 2,500 recruits from Hawaii accepted into the 442nd Regimental Team and sent to Camp Shelby for basic training. He talks about how this experience, his first time away from Hawaii and describes interactions between Hawaiian…
Matsumoto returns to the topic of his grandfather and his days working as a contract laborer in Hawaii, before coming to the mainland U.S. Following this discussion, Matsumoto describes the living conditions during his time at the Santa Anita…
In this video clip, Sho Nomura talks about his parents' reaction to him volunteering to serve in the United States Army. He describes his first experiences in military life during training at Camp Savage and Camp Shelby. He also describes his journey…
Kimoto discusses his trip from Hawaii to San Francisco and later the train ride to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Arriving at Camp Shelby, Kimoto received basic training as part of the engineering unit, and learned how to find and diffuse land mines.…
Kimoto discusses friends and leisure time when at Camp Shelby, also discussing discrimination in Mississippi, particularly from fellow soldiers. Kimoto next discusses his trip aboard a liberty ship and later his deployment to Naples where his…
Kawamoto discusses leaving Hawaii and his journey to Camp Shelby. He also talks about the training he received and briefly about being wounded by a mine. Finally, Kawamoto recalls his furloughs to New York City and Camp Rohwer incarceration center.
In this video clip, Tets Asato talks about the Loyalty Questionnaire that the Niseis had to answer while in camp (internment camp) and about the "No-No Boys". He talks about being drafted into the army and his experiences in basic training at Camp…
Nakada gives details about his early work experience, namely working as a farmhand. Next, he discusses his brother's education and time spent mining for silver outside of Las Vegas. Next, we hear about his experiences working in Alaska, and of his…
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…
In this segment, Okamoto explains his decision to waive his deferment to volunteer and the reaction of his parents. He also describes the differences between the Buddhaheads from Hawaii and the Katonks from the West Coast, and the difficulties he had…
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…
During this portion of the interview, Thomas Haga gives his personal introduction, as well as information regarding his parent's background. In addition, we hear about Thomas' sibling's background and Thomas' early education and attending Japanese…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his training experience at Camp McCoy and getting into fights with the recruits from the 2nd Infantry Division. He was later sent to Camp Shelby for more training and assigned to be a rifleman in B…
Rudy Tokiwa was inducted into the military at Fort Douglass in Utah. He was then sent to report to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, but spent a layover in New Orleans for four days. His Japanese language skills were tested at Fort Snelling, but he pretended…
Rudy Tokiwa talks about his father, who immigrated to America from Japan. He was highly educated for an immigrant, and was known to give advice to other Japanese immigrants in America. Rudy also talks about his mother, who was brought over to the…
In this segment, Hiroshi Kaku begins by recalling his personal memories from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Martial Law in Hawaii before discussing his decision to enlist in the Army. Kaku then recalls the initial screening process in…
In this segment, Hiroshi Kaku begins by recalling the intense, year-long training that he endured with the 442nd. Besides training, Kaku also discusses many memories and experiences from his days in the Army. He briefly talks about traveling overseas…
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…
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Genro Kashiwa's father was interned, due to his stature in the Japanese community (as a Buddhist Priest and Japanese language school teacher), and taken to the Mainland. Genro describes his experience during basic…
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…
Tanna discusses about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details joining the Army and experiences in Mississippi. Tanna also discusses about basic training, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and his journey to Europe.
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…
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…
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…
Mukai talks about the fear amongst Japanese Americans following the Pearl Harbor bombings. He talks about what happened to his family farm after his forced removal. He describes the induction process. He discusses his combat training at Camp Shelby.…
Morihiro discusses V-mail and the realities of war. He details about his journey to Camp Shelby and his experiences at Camp Shelby. Morihiro also discusses discrimination.
Kizuka discusses about his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp, his family, and leaving camp. He details about volunteering for service, experiences at Camp Shelby, and Earl Finch. Kizuka also discusses about going to and arriving in Europe.
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.
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.
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.
Oba discusses his childhood and how he became a cook in the army. He details about what he remembers from Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Oba also discusses how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed and why he joined. Oba also details about his…
Oba discusses the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He details about the voyage overseas and arriving in Italy. Oba also discusses the makeup of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Hawaiian values instilled in some it's…
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…
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…
Kurahara and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kurahara talks about his family trips to Japan. He describes the demographics of his Seattle community, including that of his high school. He shares his experiences with discrimination. He discusses…
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…
Teraoka talks about going to Camp Shelby for basic training, explains the meaning of "katonk", and discusses D Company members. He then talks about traveling overseas to Italy, communicating with his family, and describes Naples. Next, Teraoka talks…
Choichi discusses his journey to the Mainland and his experiences at Camp McCoy. He details about going to the World Series and his experiences in Mississippi and Camp Shelby . Choichi also discusses how he spent his free and his friends.
Tokashiki describes one of his military furloughs. He describes his Anti-Tank unit and his commanding officers. He talks about the Concentration Camps that Japanese Americans were forced to move into. He discusses his journey to Camp Shelby. He goes…
Kagawa discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. He details about heading overseas and when he realized "this is war". Kagawa also discusses the duties of Headquarters Company, paying respect to deceased German soldiers, and the Battle…
Arakaki talks about visiting Japan as a toddler and remembering how poor his family was while living there, often only having a slice of bread for lunch. The family would move back to Hawaii to escape that, and would have much more opportunity and…
Arakaki discusses Akira Sakima and various friends that he made in the Army from his platoon and squad. After this, he talks more about his basic training experiences and how he was assigned to the bazooka team. Once overseas, he would face his first…
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…
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…
Takemoto describes making friends and meeting mainland soldiers, as well as the fights that broke out between prejudicial soldiers. He guarded German prisoners of War in Dothan, Alabama, and describes their love of movies and ice cream, their…
In this segment, Takemoto recounts his training at Camp Shelby before being deployed for action in Italy. He explains that the soldiers were trained to know their rifles intimately, but were issued new weapons at Newport News without time to…
Mori continues his recollection of his basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and the preparation for the war. After that, he was sent back to Fort Snelling before being shipped out, and at that time also got married. Next, he would be shipped…
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…
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…
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…
Hayashi discusses his early life in California, being drafted into the Army, and the reaction to Pearl Harbor. He details about his time at Camp Shelby and Fort Sheridan. Hayashi also discusses his voyage across the Atlantic and and his early…
Espineda continues to talk about his induction into the army. He describes Camp Shelby. He discusses segregated units. He describes his basic training. He talks about Hawaiian soldiers in his unit and the cultural diversity in the present day.…
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…
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:…
Terasaki talks about getting drafted and his enemy alien classification; working as a soda jerk; and getting reclassified as 1-A. He then talks about his attempts to volunteer for the Navy after induction; his experiences traveling to Camp Shelby;…
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…
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…
Keegan discusses his trajectory becoming a commissioned officer assigned to the 442nd. He shares his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack. He also talks about some of the hardships Nisei soldiers faced.
Keegan provides background details of how he was assigned to train the 442nd at Camp Shelby. He talks about his impressions of the facilities at Camp Shelby and working with Japanese Americans. He also provides anecdotal information of his First…
Yano continues to talk about he and his families time at Gila River Concentration Camp and being reclassified for the draft. After this, he talks about the loyalty questionnaire and knowing he would answer yes, yes to the draft questions. He would…
Yano continues to talk about his basic training at Camp Shelby, seeing some friction between the Hawaiian and mainland soldiers. He also talks about seeing one soldier die during basic training in an accident. Joining E Company, he would be shipped…
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…
Tokita talks about his rank. He continues to talk about being assigned to H Company. He describes Captain Keegan's leadership. He shares his impressions of Camp Shelby. He discusses his friendships with Mainland soldiers. He talks about USO shows.…
Takabayashi continues to talk about his journey to the Mainland as a soldier. He goes on to describe his journey to Camp Shelby. He briefly discusses his military training. He compares his experiences while stationed in Mississippi to those in…
Kurasaki describes his journey to Camp Shelby. He also describes his basic training. He discusses his relationships with other soldiers and what he did in his leisure time. He talks about his life while at Camp Shelby. Kurasaki describes the other…
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…
Miyashiro talks about traveling by train to Camp Shelby; the Hattiesburg townspeople including Earl Finch; and basic training. He then talks about traveling overseas including getting seasick and gambling; and discusses joining up with the 100th in…
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…
Kagawa talks about growing up in Japan until he was nine; his father's employment; and his childhood in Hawaii including discussing recreational activities and attending Japanese language school. He then talks about attending high school and his…
Kagawa talks about his experiences traveling to Camp Shelby, discusses getting assigned to an Anti-Tank Company, and talks about traveling overseas to Naples, Italy. He then talks about his experiences in Italy including discussing Italian civilians,…
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.
Suehiro continues talking about his experiences during the attacks on Pearl Harbor and afterwards, including facing discrimination and seeing the Varsity Victory Volunteers at the University of Hawaii. Hearing about the 100th/442nd forming, Suehiro…
Kanada talks about his parents immigrating to Hawaii, childhood activities in Honolulu, values growing up, and attending English and Japanese language school. He then talks about recreational activities such as sports, swimming, and ballroom dancing;…
Kanada talks about traveling to the Mainland, his brothers' military service; and discusses experiences during basic training such as his daily routine, food, friendships, going into town, Earl Finch, and becoming a squad leader. He also discusses…
Tamanaha continues to talk about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. He discusses why he enlisted and his journey to the Mainland. He describes discrimination at Camp Shelby and Hattiesburg, including racial discrimination against African Americans.…
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…
Takekawa discusses getting kicked out of the Hawaii Territorial Guard and the formation of the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He then talks about incarceration camps in Hawaii, volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and traveling to the…
Tateishi begins the interview talking about how his family came from Hiroshima in Japan and settled in Hawaii. Growing up in Hawaii, he would attend McKinley High School and pick pineapples in his spare time, before joining the National Guard. He…
Tanaka reminiscences about the journey to the mainland. He also discusses his role within the Service Company. Tanaka reflects on his visits to two American Concentration Camps and his encounters with discrimination while in the army. He reveals his…
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…
Yamanaka talks about his experiences at Camp Roberts during basic training, discusses the Attack on Pearl Harbor, talks about being sent to Fort Lewis to become part of a medics unit; and then discusses getting transferred to reserves and sent home.…
Takao discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and going to the mainland for basic training. Takao and five friends volunteer and only himself and a friend is selected. Takao is assign to Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Platoon…
Isonaga discusses the Varsity Victory Volunteers, joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, traveling to the mainland, and basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about the relationship between Hawaiian and mainland soldiers, discusses his…
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…
Nakabe talks about his duties being in charge of meal tickets on the train while traveling to Camp Shelby; discusses 'Axis Sally; and talks about segregation at Camp Carson and in the Southern United States. He then talks about the relationship…
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…
Watada discusses life at camp consist of working during the day, meals in the mess hall, and socializing in the recreation hall. Watada works in the warehouse and working in the silk screen shop printing silk screen posters with slogans. Watada's…
