Inouye discusses General Ridgway; talks about his experiences an an interpreter; and discusses his desire to join the foreign service. He then talks about his post-war military service experiences; receiving the Legion of Merit; and discusses the…
Yokoyama discusses about his family and childhood. He details about his schooling. Yokoyama also discusses about the values taught to him and living in his hometown.
Yokoyama discusses about his military training. He details the wars end and going overseas . Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and post-war Japan.
Takimoto discusses about his family and childhood. He details bout Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Takimto also discusses about his experiences at Manzanar Concentration Camp.
Takimoto discusses about the loyalty questionnaire and his experiences at Manzanar Concentration Camp. He details about leaving camp and going to school. Takimoto also discusses about being drafted and joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
Takimoto discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his experiences during the Korean War. Takimoto also discusses about his experiences post Korean War.
Takimoto discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War. He details about his his family and experiences in Okinawa. Takimoto also discusses about his employment, current events, and the role Nisei women played.
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…
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 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…
Hamasu talks about his parents, siblings, neighborhood, and his childhood growing up on a coffee plantation in Hawaii. He also talks about his hobbies, going to Japanese language school and elementary school, being a member of a future farmers club;…
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…
Hamasu discusses his first day in battle and combat experiences in Italy, provides his thoughts about war experiences, and talks about witnessing wounded soldiers and how they were medically treated. He then talks about his trench foot condition…
Hamasu discusses his reasons for re-enlisting for the Army, attending radio repair school, and his assignments during the Korean War as a chief radio repairman for the 5th Regimental Combat Team. Hamasu also talks about what Korea was like when he…
Aki begins the interview talking about his family, both of his parents were Nisei and had decided to settle in Kauai, his father being a politician, while his mother was a schoolteacher. As a child, he would grow up liking geography, while his…
Aki talks about getting to Wake Island, going on a boat and arriving to a small island, where there was nothing but Marines, some Navy and Pan-American Airlines. He would end up working in the mess hall, while the construction workers would help to…
Aki continues to talk about his experience as a prisoner of war on Wake Island. There, he would be treated pretty normally, although there were some casualties and they were guarded by the Japanese Army. He also talks about one incident that was…
Aki continues to talk about his experiences as a prisoner of war while in Japan. Towards the end of the war, he noticed that a lot of weird things were happening with the Japanese Army guards and that the POWs were taken out of work. He overheard…
After joining the Air Force, Aki would ask to be sent to occupied Japan, instead of having to serve in the Korean War. He talks about coming into Japan for the first time since his time as a prisoner of war, and comparing the destruction he saw when…
Kurokawa continues his discussion on what it was like to be in Japan during war times, including activities that were available during that time such as watching sumo wrestling. He also speaks about the living conditions, food shortages and…
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…
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 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 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…
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…
Moteki discusses about his siblings and neighborhood. He details about his childhood. Moteki also discusses about the pre-war political situation, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath.
Moteki discusses about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about his experiences Gila River Concentration Camp and his experiences in post-war Korea. Moteki also discusses about communication with his family and his post-war life.
Moteki discusses about veterans and post-military experiences. He details about his work in therapy. Moteki also discusses about being drafted, joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and his experiences in Korea.
Nakamoto discusses prefecture origin and familial description. Nakamoto's Father is a Founder of the Second Buddhist Church and his Grandfather is a Founder of the First Buddhist Church. Nakamoto grows up on a farm and helps with the farming chores.…
Nakamoto discusses various job experiences from working at Federal position level, MCI, and owning his own company. Nakamoto is part of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) and he describes their mission and contribution to the…
Miyamoto begins the interview speaking about his background and his life growing up in Hilo, Hawaii. He would help his grandfather run a bathhouse and spend his free time going down to the beach to catch crabs. Next, he talks about his family…
Miyamoto continues speaking about his various experiences overseas, including interactions with German prisoners-of-war. He also talks about Ted Tanouye and the difference between American and German weapons. Next, he would be discharged from the…
Miyamoto continues his recollection of growing up on Hilo, where his pidgin English was heavy and his normal English was inconsistent. After graduation from high school, he and his family would move to Kalihi on Oahu. It was there that he would see…
Nishijima discusses his father; his grandfather's immigration; his father's employment; and the reasons why his father returned to the United States. He then talks about his father and grandmother's personalities and physical traits; discusses his…
Aizawa discusses about his family and the community he grew up in. He details about his childhood and home life. Aizawa also discusses about being American, schooling, and the Great Depression.
Aizawa discusses his childhood. He details about the aftermath Pearl Harbor and forced removal. Aizama also discusses about his experiences in the Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility.
Aizawa discusses about his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility. He details about his experiences at Topaz Concentration Camp. Aizawa also discusses about his experiences with prejudices, D-Day, V-E Day, and his schooling.
Aizawa discusses being drafted and his experiences in Korea as a part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service. Aizawa also discusses about the legacy of Nisei soldiers, goals,…
Sukeo "Skeets" Oji was born on February 24, 1918, in Sacramento, CA. He got his nickname Skeets because Sukeo was hard to pronounce. Skeets' father, Ozo Oji, was a hard-working man. He immigrated to the United States by himself from Hiroshima, Japan.…
Sukue “Skeets” Oji enrolled at Sacramento Junior College and took flying classes. However, Skeets did not complete his civilian flying classes because he was drafted. Skeet went to Presidio Monterey for his induction and was stationed at Moffett…
Sukeo “Skeets” Oji was at Gila for a short time before attending school fall of 1942. The 442nd formed in early 1943, and in September 1943, Skeets was called to active duty. He went to Camp Shelby, and he was assigned Heavy Weapons.
Sukeo “Skeets” Oji discusses the rebuilding of Japan. He joined the 553rd engineering construction group to make housing in Sendai. He described the area after the bombing. The individuals who assisted with the rebuilding of Japan were Japanese…
Sukeo "Skeets" Skeets recalls the saddest part of the war was seeing political prisoners' dead bodies. He never forgot the smell of the bodies. The American troops advanced to the 2nd Infantry Division; Skeets received orders from the CIC to form an…
Sukeo "Skeets" Oji returned to the United States and was assigned to Engineer Section, Headquarters, 6th Army, Presidio, Monterey. In 1954, he was reassigned to Japan as the liaison officer between the Ministry of Construction and the US Army Forces…
Sukeo “Skeets” Oji worked for 42 years in the military and federal civil service. His hard work was due to his parent's upbringing. Skeets' mother was a picture bride who immigrated to the United States. She gave birth to eight children and raised…
Toyoda discusses his parents, educational experiences, and friends. He describes San Gabriel Valley and details about being an athlete. Toyoda also discusses about being a member the Scholarship Society, relation with his brother, religion, and the…
Toyoda discusses Executive Order 9066 and people who were nice to him, even though he was Japanese American. He details about discrimination that he witnessed. Toyoda briefly discusses attending the Military Intelligence Service Language School…
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).
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 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 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 today's Japanese American community and the future of Japanese Americans. He gives a message to Nisei veterans. Toyoda also discusses the night of December 7, 1941.
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.
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 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.
Fujii talks about his birthplace in Troutdale, Oregon. He explains how he got his nickname. He discusses his hunting activities. He describes his father's appearance. He talks about his father's work. He shares his mother's role in his household. He…
Fujii talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He describes his lifelong friendships. He discusses his penmanship. He explains how his family prepared their property for their forced removal. He talks about resuming his education…
Fujii talks about his military training. He describes his unit's diversity, including GI George Washington. He discusses his journey to Korea. He talks about a rest period that he took in Tokyo, Japan. He describes the damage to Schofield Barracks.…
Fujii talks about the military equipment he used during the Korean War. He describes about how old the C-rations were during the Korean War. He continues to discuss his journey back to the United States. He talks about being reassigned at Fort Lewis.…
Takano discusses his birthday and birth certificate; talks about getting a driver's license; and discusses growing up on the Big Island of Hawaii. He then talks about his father including his employment at a service station and as a baker; and…
Takano discusses his father's personality and physical traits; talks about his father's knowledge of the English language; and discusses values he learned form his parents. He then talks about fishing with his father; his favorite memories of his…
Takano talks about his parents reactions to the attack on Pearl Harbor; discusses his knowledge of pre-war tensions between the United States and Japan; and talks about his dual citizenship. He then talks about the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor…
Takano discusses his experiences at Camp Shelby including basic training and his field artillery assignments such as driving a truck and laying down lines as part of a communications section. He then describes weapons he used in training; going to…
Takano discusses Italian civilians; talks about getting a pass to visit Rome; discusses his experiences in Florence; and talks about the worst combat experiences. He then talks about combat experiences in France; discusses a soldier who stepped on a…
Takano discusses Germany's highway system; talks about traveling in Germany; and discusses the encounters he had with prisoners near Dacahu concentration camp. He then talks about the end of the war including his guard duty assignment while waiting…
Takano discusses meeting his wife; talks about his overseas assignment in Korea; discusses the Korean Army; and talks about his assignments in New Mexico and Vietnam. He then talks about being a teacher at Fort Lee; returning to Hawaii; and discusses…
