After the passing of Ray Mayeda's mother, Ray's father sent his two sisters and younger brother to live in Japan with their grandmother. Later, Ray's father and Ray went to live in Japan too. After living in Japan for a few years, in 1939, Ray…
Ray Kuniteru Mayeda was born on October 18, 1922. His parents were from Kagoshima prefecture before immigrating to the United States. Ray's father came from a family of educators in Japan.
In the United States, Ray's father was a successful farmer…
In October 1949, Ray Mayeda worked at the Civil Censorship until it was dissolved. Then Ray worked at Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) as a translator. He translated classified documents into English for a year.
When World War Two ended, Ray Kuniteru Mayeda attended the University of Minnesota for a year, and his finances were running low. Therefore, he decided to volunteer for two years and enlisted when he was in Chicago. Ray went to basic training at Camp…
Inui discusses about the rebirth of Japan and the successfulness of the Allied Occupation of Japan. He details about occupation and the importance of Nisei linguist. Inui also discusses about his family and shows some photograph.
Inui discusses about his post-war experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his duties with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in post-war Japan. Inui also discusses about his civilian work in post-war Japan.
Inui discusses about Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inui also discusses about his post-war experiences in Japan.
Nishimura discusses his free time, visiting relatives, and contact with Japanese citizens. He discloses why Japan lost the war with the United States and the objective of the bomb survey team. He contributes the success of occupation to the Kibei. …
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…
Following 20 years of service in the US Army, Muranaka gets his retirement orders and begins college at the University of Puget Sound. After working with alcoholics working for the State of Washington, he received a call from the University of…
Muranaka finds himself at home in Honolulu when the Pearl Harbor attacks occurred, which he recalls hearing a loud noise and seeing a black smoke cloud in the distance. He hitchhikes back to Schofield Barracks and is given a uniform and gun and told…
Muranaka discusses both his father and mother's backgrounds and the influence that they had on his life even as young boy. Though living in poverty, his father was able to buy him an encyclopedia and type writer to instill in him the importance of…
Muranaka goes through his work in the Army after the end of World War Two, where he served in the Korean War. Next, he discusses the importance of Nisei soldiers during the occupation of Japan, and how big of an impact communication is in order to…
Muranaka begins the interview discussing his time in occupied Japan, working with Japanese officials to ease communications between the Japanese government and the United States government, which in the end netted him a gift from the Emperor of…
Minato discusses basic training and discharge. After his discharge he meets his wife and gets married. They have children and grandchildren. Minato shares his wartime experience. During Japanese Language School he discloses his memorable moments at…
Minato discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. Minato grows up in Seattle and attends school there. He recalls December 7 and his Father being taken be the FBI. Minato is drafted while his family goes to Minidoka. He also recalls…
Kenneth is joined by his wife for the last part of the interview. They discuss their family, which even includes a great grandchild. They also talk about the Amache concentration camp in Colorado and knowledge of the 442nd Regiment within the camps.…
Takehara discusses his responsibilities and experiences as a medic during combat. He would end up treating a lot of soldiers' wounds and seeing a lot of casualties as he would run around through combat to those in need. Along with that, he also…
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…
Hiltey discusses how his captivity ends, meeting his wife and having children. Post-war, he discusses his employment, hobbies and goes to schools and speaks about his wartime experience. Hiltey leaves a message for his future great children and the…
Hiltey discusses his family, siblings, childhood and school years. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Hiltey decides to join the army. He shares his wartime experience of basic training, going oversea and being captive. The most memorable moment for…
Lasseigne discusses being a replacement and scout. He shares his experience being part of the Lost Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team rescue. He recalls the first time meeting Nisei and learning about the interment camp. Post-war,…
Lasseigne discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. He also describes details about his childhood activities and childhood rearing. Lasseigne recalls 1941 and joining the services. He goes to Fort McCellan for basic training and goes…
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…
Konoshima discusses how he ended up joining the Army, despite not being an American citizen. He would not become a citizen until the McCarron-Walter Act would allow him to do so. Next, he discusses the importance of becoming a U.S. citizen and what…
Konoshima begins by speaking about his time in occupied Japan. After spending time in the American concentration camps, he would be shipped to Tokyo as part of the Headquarters team. When arriving in Tokyo, he would remember the destruction of…
Konoshima discusses the reasons for attending University of Wisconsin after the camps and his sister also attending. Next, he speaks about the effects of being born in Japan and not having the same rights that even Japanese Americans had, such as…
Konoshima begins the interview speaking about his family background. As his father came over to the United States, Akio was born in Japan and brought over to California as an infant. They would move to Mountain View in northern California and lease…
Okusa discusses his position as an interrogator during occupied Japan. During his assignments there, he would interrogate a lot of prisoners of war to obtain as much information as possible to send back to the NYK building in Tokyo. He would end up…
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…
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 and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his parents. He describes what it was like to grow up in a household with three generations of family. He discusses his educational background. He shares his knowledge of Japanese.…
Okusa begins the interview speaking about his time living in Japan as a child. He would attend middle school and high school before going back to the United States. Next, he talks about the end of the war and going to the occupied Japan to begin work…
Oishi continues his recollection of his time arriving in Japan during the military occupation. He would arrive in Yokosuka and head to Camp Zama, where he would see the devastation of Tokyo and the conditions for the Japanese civilians. Next, he…
Oishi begins the interview with his family background and moving to Hawaii from Hiroshima. He would grow up in Kona, Hawaii working at the family farm and then for his aunt at her grocery store, all while attending school and Japanese language…
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…
Gotanda discusses his experiences as an interpreter, aiding the effort to deport to Japanese nationals back to Japan, during World War 2 in China and Taiwan. He also discusses his formative years growing up in Waimea. He shares anecdotes regarding:…
Shishido discusses more about going to the prisoner of war camps in Nagasaki and what it was like to interpret in that situation. He also talks about recreational activities during that time and the high costs for certain foods. After this, he would…
Shishido continues his recollection of his time in occupied Japan, interpreting for the war crimes trials in Tokyo. He discusses the intricacies of the interpreting process, including body language and understanding various dialects and meanings.…
Shishido begins the interview talking about his family coming over from Japan to Hawaii and then moving back to Japan with his eldest brother and sister, Hiroshi choosing to stay behind with his younger brother. He would grow up on Maui, helping out…
Jiro Ikemori explains what his assignment was during the military occupation of Japan. He describes the living conditions in Kobe, Japan. His discusses his return to America. He talks about his work as a custodian. He reflects on his military…
Ikemori talks about his early life in Hawaii. He describes his family's move to Japan. He briefly discusses his education in Japan. He talks about teaching Japanese language school in Hawaii. He discusses the languages spoken in his childhood home.…
Kamemoto discusses Korea including talking about the Seoul city gates; transportation; living conditions; and his Army boots. He then talks about getting discharged; returning to the United States; and going back to the University of Hawaii to finish…
Kamemoto provides his thoughts about citizenship and loyalty in regards to World War Two; describes the term "yamato-damashii"; and discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath including his experiences with blackouts and rationing. He then…
Kamemoto talks about his father and the reasons why he immigrated to the United States; discusses his mother; and talks about visiting his relatives in Japan during his leave from the United States Army, as well as his post-war visits. He then talks…
Miyamoto discusses going undercover to gather information during the occupation of Japan. Miyamoto recalls the Korean War and three regrets. Miyamoto discusses his post-war life and shows his achievement medals from his service in three wars.
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.
Goodall discusses Daniel "Chappie" James; provides some thoughts regarding segregation and the Tuskegee Airmen; discusses a book "Chappie" wrote and their friendship; and talks about his post-military work. He then talks about meeting his first and…
Goodall discusses the Tuskegee Flight School; his employment in Detroit; rationing after the start of World War Two; and getting drafted and volunteering for Tuskegee. He then talks about the aviation test he was required to take prior to going to…
Goodall discusses moving from Oklahoma to California as a child; talks about his father and his military service; discusses the Seminole tribe and the treatment of Native Americans; and talks about the history of slavery in the United States. Next,…
Sameshima and Hayashi are joined by George Hayakawa as they remember Joe Hayashi, who served with the 442nd Regiment and earned a Medal of Honor while in Italy. They talk about various memories of him, including a time during kendo practice, where…
Sameshima and Hayashi discuss their nicknames and their lives after Pearl Harbor, including the Executive Order 9066. Their families would face hard times as they readied to evacuate their homes, as they had to sell property and furniture for pennies…
Hitoshi Sameshima and Shigeru Hayashi begin the interview introducing themselves and talking about what it was like to grow up in California. They also talk about their family background and how their parents came to California, one ending up in…
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,…
Jumpei Mine narrates photographs from his wartime.
Overseas, Jumpei encounters some close calls. He shares his stories about a hand grenade, a three-story building, and a fence. Besides his close calls, he says the scariest thing is the German…
Jumpei "Jumpy" Mine is born on August 4, 1920, in Montebello, CA. Jumpei's father is a hard-working man. Jumpei's mother, Jen Mine, passes away early.
Jumpei grows up in Montebello and helps his father with farming. Jumpei's favorite sport is…
Kusunoki reflects on his military service. He describes having Pneumonia. He discusses military tribunals. He continues to talk about serving in the 11th Airborne Division. He explains what motivated the Nisei soldiers. He describes mainland…
Kusunoki talks about being a part of the 11th Airborne Division. He briefly discusses Fort Snelling in Minnesota. He describes several photographs that are shown on camera. He shares reasons that he served in the military. He talks about his…
Kusunoki and the interviewer's introduce themselves. Kusunoki talks about his parents. He discusses what his father did for work. He describes his siblings. He talks about Japanese language school. He discusses his family's desire to return to Japan.…
Fujimoto discusses his post-war life and accounting career. He details about family and marriages. Fujimoto also discusses his community involvement, gives a message to future generations, and discusses some photographs and a pamphlet he wrote.
Fujimoto continues his recollection of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of the attacks, including curfews and getting rid of all illegal contraband. Shortly after, they would get notification of Executive Order 9066, which would force them to be moved…
Fujimoto begins his interview with a short introduction of himself and speaking about his family background. He would grow up in southern California on various farms that his father would work on. Unfortunately, his father would pass away at a young…
After his time in the service, Nagano would begin his career as a trader of securities. He would work for a couple of different firms before retiring and opening up his own firm with some partners, called Westfield Investment Group. Next, he…
Nagano continues his recollection of his time overseas during the war. He talks about his experience in a shell hole and seeing people fish with concussion grenades. He would be an interrogator of prisoners of war while in New Guinea and was then…
Nagano discusses his high school days, which included playing basketball and being able to take a trip down to Mexico to play against a team there. He would also take part in socials and be part of a club called the golden bears. He would attend…
Nagano begins the interview talking about his family background and his grandfather immigrating from Japan to Canada. The family would enjoy success there but Nagano's father decided he wanted to pursue opportunities in California. He would move to…
Bright and Sam continue their recollection of the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Their stepfather would be taken in by the FBI and they had to continue working until they heard about Executive Order 9066. With that, they were forced to evacuate their…
Bright and Sam Onoda begin the interview speaking of how their parents came to the United States from Oita, and began work in the Washington area. Their father would at the lumber mill until his untimely death, while their mother would put her faith…
Yamada continues his recollection of being shipped out from San Francisco and taking a month long ship ride to New Zealand, followed by Australia. There, he would get his first assignment, and join the 24th Division, where they would translate and…
Yamada begins the interview talking about his family and how they came to move from Hiroshima to Los Angeles. His father would work as a flower farmer while Kazuhiko and his siblings attended english and Japanese school. He would attend Gardena High…
Yamada continues his experiences in occupied Japan, including taking kendo lessons and the reform that was brought about. He talks about the things Americans tried to teach the Japanese such as equality, education and ethics. After his time with the…
Yamada discusses learning Japanese at a young age, taking Japanese language school, in addition to his regular schooling. He would also visit Japan with his family and see the farming community that his family came from. While back in the United…
Yamada begins the interview with an introduction on where he was during the surrender of Japan during the war. He would be part of the occupation forces in Japan, specializing on translating documents that would be used in the War crimes trials. He…
