Gotanda discusses his experiences working as an interpreter in the effort to repatriate Japanese citizens, in China and Taiwan, to Japan after Japan's surrender in World War 2. He shares anecdotes regarding: Taiwan, Shanghai, and being a Japanese…
Yoshito Fujimoto talks about his experiences fighting in the Philippines, and about his reassignment to Japan. He recalls his arrival at the Atsugi Air Field, about his stay in Yokohama, about the signing of the Termination of War documents, and…
Yoshito Fujimoto describes awaiting overseas assignment with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and being recruited into the Military Intelligence Service Language School. He recalls shipping overseas to Australia, where he was assigned to ATIS and…
Matsuhara discusses values, playing basketball, friends, and Japanese language. He details about meeting his wife and experiences overseas. Matushara also discusses about his experiences in Japan and the legacy of the Military Intelligence Service…
Matsuhara discusses about his experiences in the Philippines. He details about his fear of flying and his experiences in Japan. Matsuhara also discusses about his experiences with discrimination, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath.
Aka discusses about his experiences in Japan. He details about his brother-in-law who fought for Japan, contact with other Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veterans, and how he met his wife. Aka also discusses about his college and career…
Aka discusses more about his experiences in Saipan and being transferred to Japan. He details about his experiences in Japan and brief discussing his college experience. Aka also discusses about his experiences with prisoners of war (POW).
Aka discusses volunteering for the service, his experiences at Camp Shelby, and being transferred to the military Intelligence Service (MIS). Aka also discusses about his first assignment, interrogation, and experiences Saipan.
To begin the interview, Uyeda speaks about how he learned the Japanese language, while living in a small town in Washington. The conversation jumps to the United States occupation in Japan following the war and first impressions of a Japan that had…
Nishimura discusses his reaction to landing in Yokohama and duties as part of the bomb survey team in occupation Japan. He shares some interview questions and answers from his survey with women and housewives. Nishimura also recalls the aftermath of…
Misaka discusses bombing survey questions, the Japanese civilians reactions and treatment. He describes the devastation of Hiroshima after the atomic bomb, the different cities he surveys. After occupation, he returns home to complete his college…
Misaka discusses December 7, 1941 and the aftermath after Pearl Harbor. When the war happens, Misaka focuses on school and plays sports. He recalls his game in New York and Kansas for the NCAA. Misaka remembers when he receives the draft notice to…
Tsuneishi discusses the Okinawa Campaign. When landing on the beach, he comes across his first casualty. His duty for this campaign is to translate and he recalls the documents capture. When the war ends, Tsuneishi goes to Korea for occupation and…
Tsuneishi discusses a diary he leaves behind in Hawaii before going overseas. Tsuneishi's first campaign is in the Philippines, he helps translate capture documents that the GI found on the front line. Another duty is translation and interrogating…
Tsuneishi discusses discrimination and civil rights. After high school he goes to University of California Los Angeles and major in Political Science and minor in English. Then he transfers University of Berkley for Asian Studies in 1941 when the…
Tanaka discusses about Hideki Tojo. He details about his role as an interpreter and Japanese politics. Tanaka also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Tanaka discusses about his interactions with Japanese soldiers and interrogations. He tells a story a about friend. Tanaka also about the contribution of Nisei linguist.
Tanaka discusses about joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about his early experiences in the Military Intelligence Service at Camp Savage. Tanaka also discusses about his journey overseas and interrogations.
Oka, a native of Hawaii, describes witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent government and military presence in his family's home, including the monitoring of his brother's shortwave radio and the FBI's interest in his knowledge of…
In the second part of his interview, Wallace Nagao details the work he did helping the British Army in Burma, his experience meeting Admiral Mountbatten, and hearing about the Japanese surrender. He also recounts his time post-surrender in…
Wallace Nagao talks about his family's history and his early life growing up on one of Hawaii's sugar plantations. Nagao goes through his educational history-- from elementary school through college and his experiences at Japanese language school. He…
Photo of eight soldiers in uniform waiting for assignments. Names from left to right, top to bottom: Shigeru Ishikawa, unknown MIS soldier, unknown MIS soldier, unknown MIS soldier, Robert Ichiki, Hideo Kida, Francis Okamoto, Ralph Kaneshiro
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…
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…
Yamada discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his post-war life. Yamada also discusses about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
Nishibayashi continues his recollection of his language training at Presidio and his thoughts about what to expect in an occupation. While shipping to Yokohama, he would enjoy a furlough in Hawaii before getting into Japan to begin his time there.…
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…
Uchida and Kinoshita continue their recollection of joining the Army. At the time, Uchida was working on the railroads in Montana and Kinoshita was at the Minidoka concentration camp. They talk about their individual basic training at Camp Shelby,…
Toshio discusses his thoughts on forced removal and race relations. He details about being sent to Japan after the war ended and his experiences while there. Toshio also discusses about trying to get home after his father's death, being discharged,…
Toshio discusses more about his experiences at Camp Savage. He details about enlisting into the service, basic training, and being assigned to Camp Ritchie. Toshio also discusses about visiting Heart Mountain Concentration Camp.
Uesato continues his discussion of his time in occupied Japan. During this time, he was an interpreter for political analysts who were trying to get as much information as they could regarding Japan's population in politics. In this way, Uesato was…
Uesato discusses his assignment in Burma, where his team would be in charge of opening back up the Burma Road. Next, he would head to China where he would get the rare chance to be around elite military leaders, including Mao Zedong of China and many…
Uesato begins the interview speaking about his family background, including his mother and father. Next, he talks about keeping up with the wars overseas and how unexpected the attacks on Pearl Harbor were. Living in Hawaii at the time, they were…
Sakaji talks about his friendship with a sheriff prior to forced removal; discusses restrictions and the curfew that was enforced after the attack on Pearl Harbor; and discusses volunteering for the Army and his brother's military service. He then…
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 his experience on the Mainland and going overseas. Yamada is not at Camp McCoy for very long. Only a few months for infantry training for the 100th Infantry Battalion. Later he volunteers for Military Intelligence Service.
Kosobayashi discusses his experiences in Tokyo and the role that the Military Intelligence Service played. He details about his experiences about working with the 8th Army JAG and the trials he assisted on. Kosobayashi discusses about his life…
Kosobayashi discusses about his family, schooling, and briefly moving to Japan as a child. Kosobayashi details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences at Tule Lake Concentration Camp. He also discusses about his induction into the…
Toke Yonekawa describes his experiences during the American occupation of Japan after the end of World War II. He works as a translator and interpreter in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) with General Douglas MacArthur in the Dai-Ichi…
During this portion of the interview, Thomas Haga talks about his military experience, namely his embarkation and personal travels to the India-Burma Theater. Next, we hear Thomas discuss interrogating prisoners of war, as well as returning from the…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses his experience at Fort McClellan, Camp Snelling and Turkey tent. He shares funny moments from basic training and Colonel John Aiso who is an influential figure during his training.
Miyamoto discusses about the black market. He details stories about the General Commanders about the rules and regulations in occupation in Japan. Miyamoto also talks about the new constitution of Japan, goal of occupation and illustrates the…
Miyamoto discusses his familial description, child rearing, and schooling. He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) an in post-war Japan. Miyamoto also discusses about his experiences with Japanese Nationals.
Theodore "Ted" Mitsumori describes his family life growing up in Hawaii and his eventual employment driving a taxi in the Pearl Harbor area. Mitsumori shares his first-hand experience of the bombing of Pearl Harbor while ferrying civilians, women,…
Uratsu discusses about his early experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about his brief experiences in Manila. Uratsu also discusses about his post-war assignment and experiences in Tokyo Japan.
Saiki discusses going to Military Intelligence Language School (MISLS) in Monterey, as well as attending Japanese language school in Japan and recalls the differences in dialects. He also talks about his assignments and seeing his brothers in Japan.…
Ted Tsukiyama talks about his experience during the China-Burma-India Campaign. Instead of continuing his military service in the Occupation of Japan, he decided to return home to Hawaii to continue his college education. He received a Bachelor's…
Ono discusses about being assigned to the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC), CIC training, and gives a brief overview and timeline of his military service. He details about his duties during the Allied Occupation of Japan, interaction with civilians,…
Arakaki begins the interview with an introduction and talking about how his parents came to Hawaii. At the age of two, he and his family would move back Japan and Taro would live there until the age of 16, when he would make the move back to Hawaii.…
Shindo discusses his experiences in Manzanar. He details about being drafted, joining the Military Intelligence Service, and becoming instructor. Shindo also discusses his interactions with German prisoners, favorite music, and his feelings towards…
Shindo standing with hands clasped in front of him. A multistory building to the left and clothesline and trees behind him, likely an apartment building.
Ota discusses visiting Hawaii both during his childhood and while in the service, talks about his hobbies, and traveling to the Philippines. After his assignment in the Philippines, Ota went to Japan to be an interpreter for Allied Translator and…
Ota discusses his family’s work on Driscoll Farms, life after Executive Order 9066, and his family’s forced removal to Salinas temporary detention facility. He then talks about life at Poston incarceration camp, discusses getting drafted and going to…
Ishizaki continues his recollection of his time in occupied Japan, including discussion on the black market and women's rights. After his time in Japan, he was moved to Australia to begin work with the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section,…
Hara discusses about his family and their history. He details about his experiences in Hiroshima and Japanese women. Hara also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Hara discusses about his childhood, household, and growing up during the Great Depression. He details about his family, schooling, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Hara also discusses about volunteering for the Army, joining the Military Intelligence…
Imada discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his post-war life. Imada also discusses about his family and gives a message to future generations
Imada discusses about his experiences in Ohio and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in basic training and at Fort Snelling. Imada also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and post-war Japan.
Toyoda discusses working for General Ridgway and General Clark in Occupied Japan. He details about going to work at the Pentagon and being promoted to Major. Toyoda also discusses his experiences working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Toyoda discusses about receiving recognition and the Bronze Star. He details about being mistaken for an enemy soldier and what ensued afterwards. Toyoda also discusses his experiences on the USS John Pope, finally being sent to Japan, and his…
Toyoda discusses his experiences in Bougainville. He details about his arrival in the Philippines, interaction with American prisoners of war. Toyoda also discusses General Beightler and the 37th Division.
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).
Nishimoto describes his duties as a typist and interpreter in Japan; discusses spending time traveling to cities such as Kamakura and Chugoku; and talks about Japanese civilians he met. Lastly, Nishimoto provides some thoughts about his legacy, and…
Nishimoto discusses his experiences at Fort Snelling taking interpreters courses, and being sent to Japan as a typist. He then talks about the importance of education and hard work; how he met his wife; and his experiences working with schools and…
Ito discusses more about his experiences in Manila and working on the General Yamashita trail. He details about his experiences in Japan and the other trails that he worked on. Ito also discusses about receiving an award, being discharged, and coming…
Ito discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the pressures of war hysteria. It was during this time that he was drafted into the Army and selected for Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He was sent to Fort Snelling to take Japanese language…
Ito discusses his family, educational experiences and religion. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Ito also discusses about basic training and his experiences working in Manila on the General Yamashita trail.
Yamamoto discusses about his experiences in Kyoto and with the war crime trials. He briefly discusses comfort women and details about how the Japanese treated their prisoners. Yamamoto also discusses his wife and his career path.
Yamamoto discusses his interactions with Japanese prisoners and their mindset. He details about the 6th Army landing in in the Philippines. Yamamoto also discusses experiences with Kamikaze attacks and heading to Japan.
Yamamoto discusses his feelings about Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066, and draft resisters. He details about his experiences in Australia. Yamamoto also discusses about his experiences in New Guinea.
Yamamoto discusses his journey to the military and being assigned to the 66th Medical Battalion. He details about being the first class of the Military Intelligence Service. Yamamoto also discusses Pearl Harbor, heading overseas, and arriving in New…
Falk discusses the transportation system in Tokyo including coal fueled cars and trains; and discusses his interrogation work in Japan processing intel. He then talks about the possible threat of Communism; corresponding with his family while in…
Falk discusses his rank; talks about how he became interested in Japanese language and culture; talks about taking classes to learn Japanese language; and discusses the [Military Intelligence Service] Caucasian program and his training at Fort…
