Kenneth Masamitsu describes being drafted into the military, about his experience in basic training, and his recruitment into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He also recalls hearing the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and visiting a few of the…
Yoshito Fujimoto describes his family history and personal background, his time spent in Japan as a child, and returning to the United States. He recalls attending Japanese language school, how he was recruited into the Military Intelligence Service,…
Ted Wakai begins with boarding school activities and discusses the Pearl Harbor attack. He then talks about his job cleaning Hickam Field after the attack and the reactions from the community and Caucasian soldiers to the attack. This interview…
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,…
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…
M. Oda talks about racial tensions in California before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She also talks about her family members that died while in Manzanar Concentration Camp. In addition there are anecdotes regarding: how her father acquired…
Hiro Nishimura remembers the events and consequences surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He is drafted into the army and experiences segregation before serving in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). His family experiences forced removal to…
T. Yoshihashi discusses his recollections event immediately before, and after, the attack on Pearl Harbor. He talks about the reactions of his parents and friends. He describes travels to, and experiences at, an assembly center and internment camp.…
Norman Kikuta begins by describing his childhood growing up on the pineapple plantations of Hawaii and his educational experiences from primary school through university. He recalls the Pearl Harbor attack and subsequently volunteering for the Hawaii…
T. Ono discusses reflections on the Pearl Harbor attack and how it affected morale of the Japanese community in Hawaii. He shares his thoughts on: patriotism; military duty; and camaraderie. He also talks about the U.S. motivation on forming the…
T. Ono discusses his schooling in Hawaii from elementary school through college. He talks about his first professional job, and getting drafted in peace time. He shares anecdotes regarding; school memories; the Pearl Harbor attack; and race relations…
W. Oshiro discusses his post-military life reflecting on his military service; the 442nd legacy; and his family values. He talks about visiting Europe after the war He also talks about his professional career and family.
Kitajima discusses about his childhood and family. He details about living in Honolulu and moving to California. Kitajima also discusses about being drafted, Pearl Harbor, and the events that followed.
Saiki discusses growing up in Stockton, California including working at his parents' restaurant, living in a hotel, attending kendo classes, and playing sports. He then recalls his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor, talks about traveling…
H. Fujimoto talks about his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack and the aftermath which prevented him from going off to college, and how Colorado's governor Ralph Carr offered refuge for evacuated Japanese Americans. He also discusses his…
Edwin Kawahara recounts his life growing up in Hawaii and the the importance of good education throughout his life. He talks about discriminatory hiring practices and finally finding a good job in the insurance industry. He also shares his…
M. Furuto talks about his recollections of Pearl Harbor and events he and his family went through in the aftermath. He discusses being evacuated and moving to Manzanar, and some activities he did while incarcerated. He also talks about his receipt of…
Kajiwara talks about his father's visits to Japan. He briefly describes working for Hawaiian Pineapple. He discusses the work he did on a sugar plantation. He talks about having a twin brother. He talks about primary school. Kajiwara describes his…
Kumagai discusses having to leave his belongings behind after his family’s forced removal to Walerga temporary detention facility. He then talks about his brother’s military service, his experiences at Tule Lake incarceration camp, and describes…
Nomura talks about his youth in Washington through the attack on Pearl Harbor. He provides background on his parents' immigration to U.S.; explains how some of his siblings lived in Japan for a period; and life on the family farm in Washington. He…
Iwasaki talks about some of his experiences in Hawaii before the Pearl Harbor attack. He shares his memories of the Pearl Harbor attack and it's aftermath. He also talks about his early military experiences after getting drafted.
R. Honbo discusses his early years growing up in Hawaii. He talks about his homelife; describes his parents; and talks about his early education. He also talks about his army experiences after being drafted.
S. Takahashi talks about his combat experiences in the European Theater. He describes his feelings and actions as he was in the midst of artillery fire. He also discusses how he felt about Pearl Harbor being attacked by Japan.
S. Takahashi talks about life his right before the war breakout and his early military experiences. He discusses his job, motivation for joining the military, and his cultural identity. He also shares anecdotes regarding participating in a Judo…
Samuel Yamaguchi discusses growing up San Diego. He talks about his high school experiences and home life. He talks about his reaction to the Pearl Harbor attack and gives a summary of his military service.
Shindo discusses attending college for engineering and how his interest switched to music. He details about December 7, 1941 and his experiences with discrimination. Shindo also discusses about volunteering for relocation to Manzanar Concentration…
Yikimura discusses his family and his childhood. He details about religion and his schooling. Yikimura also discusses about his life after high school and recalling December 7, 1941.
A. Otani discusses his family background with his Issei father and Nisei mother. He talks about his youth in Hawaii and his experiences in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. He shares anecdotes regarding: FBI taking his father away;…
Masuda discusses breaking the news to friends and family about volunteering for the army. He also talks about his furlough experience. Masuda discusses how he became a company clerk a pharmacist for the army.
Masuda discusses the history of his family. He also relates his military experiences before being sent to the Pacific Theater . Masuda details his experience on the boxing team.
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…
A. Takahashi discusses his youth growing up in the Central Valley of California. He talks about his parents' backgrounds, their immigration and characters. He also discusses his interest in aviation and how he enlisted in the military.
In this interview, Samuel Harano describes his early childhood in Hawaii and the tragic loss of his mother in a house fire. He recalls being sent to Japan where he spent his school years rebelling against an increasingly militaristic culture. Upon…
K. Fujii discusses his experiences in Occupied Japan. He talks about jobs he had; describes the living conditions of Japanese civilians; and off-duty adventures he went on. He also talks about his life in Hawaii with his family, and shares his…
In this interview, Richard "Dick" Narasaki shares his childhood battle with tuberculosis and the loss of several members of his family to the disease, living with his grandparents in Santa Clara, and attending high school. He also recounts hearing…
In the third part of his interview, Mr. Mac Nagata describes Presidio and the surrounding area, volunteering for the Military Intelligence Service, and what his studies included while at the Military Intelligence Service Language School. In addition,…
On the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Frank Mizufuka was on weekend furlough at his family's home. Once the news of the bombing was publicized, he had to report back to training camp. Instead of being sent overseas with the Caucasian units, he…
Frank Mizufuka was a troublemaker in high school -- he dyed his hair red to fit in with his Caucasian classmates. He took judo lessons and wrestling, and also played football for Whittier High School. In high school, he was a part of student…
At the University of Hawaii, Thomas Takemoto learned to speak proper English, instead of Pidgin English. During his time in college, he became acquainted with Hung Wai Ching, who was responsible for the creation of the Varsity Victory Volunteers. On…
In this segment, Roy Yokote focuses on his education from grammar school through his first semester of college. He also recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the reactions of his parents and fellow students afterwards.
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…
Thomas Sakamoto talks about the wartime atmosphere in Japan prior to the outbreak of World War II. He returned to the United States in the 1930's, where worked on a farm and started a Kendo school. He was drafted into the army in February 1941 and…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his time in Hawaii and his memories of the events leading to Pearl Harbor and war breaking out. He recalls seeing Hawaii change greatly after Pearl Harbor before talking about his own decision to…
In this segment, Katsumi "Kats" Hikido begins by recalling his childhood on the family farm, detailing his family members and his household. He moves on to speaking about his education and the importance of education to him and his family. Lastly,…
In this segment, Benjamin Hazard begins by recalling his memories of the Pearl Harbor attack and his ensuing outrage at the discrimination against his Japanese American friend, Frank, and Frank's family by locals. Hazard then discusses details of his…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his many experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination against Japanese Americans. He talks about the time the FBI broke into their home the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and trashed his…
Harry Fukuhara describes the anti-American and anti-Japanese feelings that emerged prior to the outbreak of war between the United States and Japan. He talks about the day of the Pearl Harbor attack and the confusion he felt when he heard the news.…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi discusses being drafted into the military before the war began. He describes what he remembered from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon his return to Schofield Barracks, all of the Japanese American recruits were…
During this portion of the interview, Thomas Haga talks about his experience moving to Arizona to be with his children. Next, we hear about the medals and honors that Thomas received in honor of his military service. From here, Thomas discusses the…
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…
Surh begins the interview by discussing her visit to Jerome to see her best friend Nish and her family. She expresses confusion and disappointment at the fact that the U.S. government would incarcerate its own citizens. Surh also talks about the…
Ito discusses attending Japanese language school as a child and his reasons for not enlisting as an interpreter in World War II. He discusses being drafted into the military and being assigned non-military jobs at the camp he was stationed. He…
During this part of the interview, James Mitsumori discusses the discrimination that Japanese Americans faced after the war. In addition, he goes on to recount his parent's evacuation experience, as well as his wife's experiences during the war.…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori recalls details about his adolescence and attending trials at the local courthouse. Moreover, James recounts his educational background and his recollects on his school trip to Japan, China, and…
Nelson Akagi recalls his thoughts on Japan and Germany leading up to the war. He also recounts his reaction to Pearl Harbor and the state of his family leading up to their evacuation from Lindsay, California. He details his journey as they head…
Minori Sueda recalls his reaction to Pearl Harbor and joining the military. He also talks about volunteering for the 232nd Combat Engineer Unit, basic training, and additional engineer training at Camp Shelby.
Tsubota discusses his experiences and responsibilities in ROTC as a student at the University of Hawaii. Later, he talks about being placed on active duty and going through basic training at the time of Pearl Harbor attack. Last, Tsubota discusses…
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…
Sogi discusses being a student at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and his reaction to the events that took place afterwards, including Executive Order 9066. Sogi also speaks about discrimination, the…
