In the relocation center, James Murata worked as an ambulance driver. For entertainment, there were plays and sports. The Assembly Center was a racetrack and some internees lived in horse stalls. James described how he made most of the situation. He…
Janet Nakakihara and Janice Trubitt say their grandmother is big on celebrating New Year and birthdays. Janet recalls her mother mentioning her mother adopted all of the American holidays and celebrations. Even though they did not have much money,…
Janet Nakakihara and Janice Yokoyama Trubitt are nieces of Private First Class Sadao S. Munemori, the Medal of Honor recipient. Janet's mother, Yuriko (oldest), and Janice's mother, Kikuyo (youngest), are siblings of Sadao.
Charley discusses the opportunity to visits, Jerome and Rohwer. When traveling to New York after the war, he meets a mutual friend of Eva's who he corresponds with during wartime. During wartime, he describes how the soldiers' shower on the…
Charles "Charley" Toyoji Ijima is born on January 8, 1925, in Makaweli, Kauai, Hawaii. His family lives on a sugar cane plantation. His parents are from Niigata Prefecture of Japan. Charley's father, Shozo Ijima, comes to Hawaii by himself first.…
Oda discusses his experiences in World War II with an emphasis on the many military camps he was stationed at, and his experience receiving a field commission. In addition he talks about what his life was like just prior to U.S. participation in the…
Sumio Frank Shimada was in the Regimental Reserves and carried the BAR. He recalls moving up to the combat zone, and on the side of the road, he saw blanket-covered bodies. Frank could not help but wonder who they were and who they left behind. Those…
Sumio Frank Shimada recalls being under artillery fire from the German soldiers in Italy several times. Frank said the German 88 was a scary weapon. Besides the German 88, the Germans also used bouncing betty and minefields as their defensive assets.…
After Executive Order 9066, Sumio Frank Shimada was forcibly removed to Santa Anita Assembly Center. Frank describes the living conditions and life at the Assembly Center. He found a job in camp making camouflage nets.
Sumio Frank Shimada was born on April 21, 1918, in Vacaville, CA. Later his family moved to Cordelia and then San Jose. Frank revisited Vacaville last year for a reunion. He described the changes in the town since his childhood.
After Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066 is issued and calls for the evacuations of Japanese Americans. Don describes the preparation his family makes before going to Poston, Arizona. At Poston, Don outlines life at camp and the living conditions of…
Don Miyada is born on May 21, 1925, in Oceanside, California. Don's parents are Raiju Miyada and Masu Miyada, who both emigrated to the United States from Japan. Don shares his childhood memories working on the farm, school, holiday, and morals and…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses the difficulties to transition civilian life and takes two years to find himself on the mainland. Morimoto decides to return home when his financials are running low after traveling to various cities such as Chicago,…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses he would not do anything different in his battle field experiences. He got along well with the other officers and his rank during the war is Tech Sargent. In his company, the Platoon Sargent gets injured and…
Hitoshi G. Sameshima recalls going to Japan for occupation. He describes the cities destruction from the atomic bomb. When Hitoshi arrives at the NYK Building, his first assignment is to take a group to the Red Cross warehouse and guard the…
Hitoshi G. Sameshima discusses his training to be an interrogator at Fort Snelling. After completing his training, he goes to Fort Spellman and goes overseas to the Philippines. Hitoshi stays in Manila and Luzon to interview the Prisoners of War for…
Hitoshi G. Sameshima recalls going to Gila in the first part of September. He says the first place you go when you enter camp is the employment office. Hitoshi recalls his interview with Kimiko Murakami. Hitoshi is assigned to be an interviewer since…
Growing up in Pasadena, CA, Hitoshi G. Sameshima's favorite event is the Rose Parade. He recalls attending the Rose Parade at age four and has attended every year.
As a child, Hitoshi's knowledge of Japan is shaped by his parents and Japanese…
Minamide discusses evacuating at 17 years-old to Colorado and seeing snow on the way there. Minamide would correspond with friends to join them to work on the sugar beet plantation in Colorado. Minamide would also correspond with his Father. When…
Minamide discusses December 8, 1941 when he comes home from school, he learns that his Father is picked up by the FBI. His father is brought to Tunga then Bismarck,North Dakota. Minamide and his family waits for the Government to give information…
Masato Eddy Kurushima discusses the contributions of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) during the Occupation of Japan. Unlike the 442nd, 100th, and 552nd, the MIS wartime efforts are not well known because they were a top-secret unit. Eddy…
Masato "Eddy" Kurushima discusses why the natives in the Pacific did not like anyone with Japanese ancestry. Eddy recalled an encounter with the Filipino natives and was mistaken for Japanese soldiers. Eddy says there was always a guard with the…
In the six months at Fresno, the Kurushima family learns how to make the most of the situation in Jerome. Masato Eddy Kurushima says the barracks at Jerome are similar to Fresno Fair Grounds Relocation Center. He describes the living conditions and…
On December 7, 1941, Masato Eddy Kurushima was at the free market selling their harvest and heard the news about Pearl Harbor. Eddy was in shock and felt things would go back to normal the next day. The Pearl Harbor attack changed the lives of the…
Masato Eddy Kurushima and his family go to Japan for a few years. During his time in Japan, he sees the country militarizing. After a year of recovery, Eddy's father decides to return to the United States earlier. After living in the United States,…
Miya discusses hearing about Pearl Harbor on the radio on December 7, 1941. During this time, Miya is 18 years old attending Senior year of High School. He did not feel racism or prejudices from his classmates. However, he does experiences racism…
During the Military occupation in Japan, Tommy Mayekawa works for the Third Military Railway Service Headquarters as an interpreter. He guards the trains to make sure they are not pilferage.
Living in Yokohama, Japan, Tommy does not encounter…
Tommy Mayekawa and his family evacuate to Santa Anita Assembly Center after receiving the evacuation orders. He describes the living conditions and life in the camp. Tommy and his family live in a horse stable, and his parents accepted the situation…
Tommy Masakazu Mayekawa is born on April 22, 1921, in Hawthorne, CA. Tommy's parents are from Mie-ken, Japan. When Tommy's father immigrates to the United States, he works on the railroads and truck farming.
Masato Yamashita's interview is with Lloyd Fujitani.
Masato Yamashita and Lloyd Fujitani recall hearing the news about Pearl Harbor on the radio. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, anyone who is a leader of a Japanese Organization is taken away by…
During the occupation of Japan, Maya Miyamoto worked in Tokyo. He had a driver's license and could drive jeeps, tanks, and other vehicles. Therefore, a Lieutenant asked him to stay in Tokyo.
Maya Miyamoto was born on January 28, 1922, in Carmel Valley, CA. His father and mother were from Kumamoto, Japan. Maya's father taught him respect, how to get along with others, honesty, and do not shame the family. Maya said his parents wished him…
During the occupation of Japan, Paul Ichiuji worked for the CIC to gather information. Paul got information from the butokai and couriers. Although Paul’s Japanese was not that proficient, he knew important words to communicate with the butokai.…
Ishizaki discusses about her family and education. She details about experiences during the war and her decision to go to occupied Japan. Ishizaki also discusses about her experiences in post-war Japan.
Sugamura talks about moving to Japan pre-war with her family and her experiences there such as traveling by ship to get there, speaking Japanese, culture, her experiences in Tokyo, and discussing Japanese people. She then continues to talk about her…
George Mitsuru Matsunaga completed training at Camp Ritchie CIC School. In 1945, he went overseas for occupation and was part of the 187th paratroopers. Briefly, George had guard duty at Camp Kuwae. Later he went to Morioka and worked for the CIC.…
Kashiwagi talks about his early life in Hayward, California. He describes his parents, siblings, and family farm. He discusses his community of Knights Landing, California. He talks about what he did in his childhood leisure time. Kashiwagi also…
Okubo discusses the orders of secrecy during World War Two. After 30 years of the war, Okubo is allowed to talk about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He believes the Military Intelligence Service interpreting and translating the Japanese…
Okubo discusses Guadalcanal, Marshall Islands and his duties of getting the Prisoners of War (POW) ready to ship back to Japan. Preliminary investigation of Unites States soldiers' casualty postpones Okubo from being discharge. Soon after, Okubo…
Okubo discusses his interpreter experience and interrogation tactics with the Prisoners of War at Palau. Okubo is at Palau for two to three weeks before moving to the next invasion.
The next assignment for Okubo is psychological warfare. He…
Okubo discusses how Hawaii is fortunate that there is no interment camps like the Mainland after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. However, the Japanese Community Leaders and Buddhist Priests are rounded up. Okubo reflects why this…
Okubo recalls December 7, 1941 and his high school graduation. After high school, he works in the hotel business and the Big Five before joining the military in May of 1942. He contributes attending Japanese Language School for 12 years helped him…
Hisatomi continues to talks about his involvement in sports tournaments. He explains how he helped his father mechanize their family farm. He talks about a farmers association and a non-profit association that he helped create. He continues to talk…
Okumura discusses how Kahului and Waikulu change from pre and post war, community activites and community organizations. Okumura also shares a few words for the future generations and the contribution the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) made in…
Miyake continues to talk about the Champagne Campaign. He discusses Bansai Hill and his second battle. He describes his role in a special task force. Miyake talks about the end of World War Two. He describes his siblings experiences during the war.…
Akita describes his worst experiences during World War Two. He shares his knowledge of American Concentration Camps. He talks about his photography work. He describes photographs that are shown on camera.
Akita continues to explain what life was like on a sugar plantation. He talks about his plans after high school. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He shares his experiences with discrimination after the attack. Akita…
In New Guinea, Nobuo "Nob" Yamashita's assignment is to interrogate Prisoners of War (POWs). He says the POWs are happy someone can speak their native language and be treated decently. The goal of interrogating the POWs is to find out their mission…
Nakamura reflects on his World War Two experiences. He details his family serving in the military. Nakamura also discusses about the legacy of Nisei linguist and shows some photographs.
After the war, Susumu Sarae goes back to Hawaii. He is a taxis driver for several years before going back to Okinawa, Japan. In Okinawa, Susumu works for the civil service for a year on rebuilding houses. Part of his duties is looking for land and…
During Susumu's service, he corresponds back home. Some soldiers who write back home can disclose their location. However, Susumu is part of the Naval Intelligence and is restricted on what he can write in his letters. He shares an instant when he is…
In November 1944, Susumu Sarae receives his draft notice. He goes to the replacement depot, where is his indoctrinated into service. From the replacement depot, he goes to Schofield Air Force Base, Hickam Air Force Base, and Fort Kamehameha before…
Susumu "Chick" Sarae is born on August 2, 1923, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents are from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, and they have six children. One child lives in Japan for ten years before reuniting with the family in Hawaii.
Kaneshige discusses his daughter, grandchild and great grandchild. He works for the Hickham Air Force base for 24 years and six years for the Defense Department before retiring. He shares his feelings about war.
Kaneshige discusses being train for rifleman using 30-30 rifle in basic training. he discusses about discrimination in the military. Kaneshige recalls going overseas, his first combat experiences, and Hill 140. In combat, he gets hit by shrapnel and…
Okada discusses elementary school and his family living through the Great Depression. In high school he plays wrestling and post-war he becomes a pro-wrestler. He recalls December 7, 1941 hearing about Pearl Harbor. Okada's family evacuates to Utah.…
Urata talks about the end of World War Two. He describes his journey to Japan as well as a stop in the South Pacific. He discusses his assignments while stationed in Japan. He talks about his relatives. He talks about the horrors of war. Urata…
Urata continues to describes his experiences at the Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center. He also continues to talk about daily life at Poston Concentration Camp. He discusses his job at Poston Concentration Camp. Urata talks about getting married…
Isamu "Sam" Saito discusses his friends' and parents' reactions after Pearl Harbor. One evening after the attack, Sam's parents burned items connected with Japan.
When Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) was announced, Sam's family prepared for…
Oshiro describes his early life in Papa'aloa. He describes his parents and siblings. He talks about the chores that he had as child. He describes what he would do in his leisure time, including fishing. Oshiro talks about school and the learning…
Taketa talks about his college studies. He shares his knowledge of World War Two. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He shares his theories on the reasons for World War Two. He talks about his brother's military career.…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his friendship with Mine Okubo. Okubo is a Japanese American artist who illustrates her experience in camp and is the author of "Citizen 133660".
Post-war, Yonemura works in the General Consul Office from 1953…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses being in Japan for occupation from September 1945 to late January 1946. His duties range from meeting with Nisei expatriates; working for war crime trials; and being the eyes and ears for General MacArthur for lines…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses having a lot of support despite facing discrimination. At Camp Savage, Yonemura is on the bull gang for eight or ten days until getting into Language School. He studies hard and is class 13. Yonemura says the…
Gustafson discusses military school and graduating from Reserve Officer Training Corps and going to Camp Shelby to be with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He details about discrimination in the military by sharing Lieutenant Yanamura's experiences…
Kitaoka discusses going overseas and his occupation phase in Berlin. He recalls what Berlin look like after the devastation of the war. Many of the structural buildings are in rubles and the buildings that are still existing are being occupied by the…
Shinmoto discusses moving to Burlington, Iowa due to the efforts of War Relocation Authority. His family also moves to Iowa and helps at the Hotel to get away from poor living conditions. At Gila River, Shinmoto recalls taking the loyal…
Besides attending primary school, James Jin Kobayashi attends a Japanese Language School. At home, he speaks half English and Japanese to his Issei parents.
James recalls the day of the bombing of Pearl harbor. He says it is regular business at…
At Camp Savage, Yoshio Izumi is assigned to Headquarter Company and does clerical work. He is tasked with morning reports and supplies inventory. Yoshio recalls being inducted at the same time as John Aiso and seeing him at basic training at Fort…
On December 7, Yoshio Izumi is on his weekend leave and hears about Pearl Harbor on the radio at home. Yoshio was born and raised in the United States, and he feels he would be loyal to his homeland. He feels he is one hundred percent American.
Barney Hajiro recalls the locals of Bruyeres and Biffontaine were friendly and nice. However, they were confused to see Japanese Americans in an American Army uniform. Barney was in M Company then transferred to I Company. The guys in I Company were…
Nohara talks about family friends, his thoughts about the war in Europe prior to the United States' involvement, his duties while employed as a warden; and volunteering for the Army and being sent to Camp Shelby. He then talks about volunteering for…
Ken Tamura discusses his watch store and sharing his war experience with his customers who will listen. Ken recollects one customer who will not acknowledge the contribution of the Nisei during World War Two.
Ken Tamura discusses his war experiences in Italy. He says it is scary times, but he is thankful to be alive. Ken believes the Nisei contribution in World War Two will help future generations against discrimination. Ken says he is an American, he has…
Ken Tamura discusses the effects of war on the soldiers, civilians, and the country. When Ken first arrives in France, many of the 442nd are either killed in action or wounded in action from the Lost Battalion rescue. In Europe during this time,…
Ken Tamura discusses camp life and waiting to leave. His first opportunity to leave Heart Mountain is to work on a sugar beet farm. Another time Ken receives a sponsor to go to Chicago. In Chicago, Ken gets a job at the Chicago Bar Association.…
Ken Tamura discusses his childhood friend Woody and their friendship. The Tamura family sells their farm in Oklahoma and moves to Japan. Before arriving in Japan, the Tamura family visits California and Hawaii.
Arthur Kurahara discusses working in the sugar mill as a mechanic in 1939 until the war. After being discharge from the war, he goes back to the sugar mill and gets promoted as supervisor.
Kurahara learns about the Pearl Harbor attack through…
Clarence "Matt' Matsumoto discusses a time when he encounters German soldier during battle that is non-combative. Matsumoto recalls raising their hands to each other and walking away. During the war, Matsumoto serves in the K Company mortar squad as…
Clarence "Matt" Matsumoto discusses basic training and learning about relocation camps. Training with K Company is rough because it is day and night training. He recalls going overseas takes over a month and lands in Italy. On the journey overseas,…
Clarence "Matt" Matsumoto discusses growing up, he isnot close with parents because out playing with friends. Matsumoto says his values and morals are learned by going to church every Sunday. In 1940, he graduates high school and goes to Community…
Tom Yamada discusses stories from his time in service. During occupation in Japan, Yamada works with naval officer Lieutenant Lim. 20 years later, Yamada runs into Lieutenant Lim at Radio City Music Hall and thinks of him kindly . Yamada also thinks…
Ken Nihei was a 16 years old high school student when he went to Topaz, Utah. The perimeter was open at camp, and there were no barb wires yet. Life was different at Topaz.
Ken received his draft letter to report to Fort Douglas when he was 18…
Ken Nihei was born in 1925 in Sacramento, CA. Ken grew up in Sacramento until he was seven years old and moved to Hayward (Bay Area) during the Great Depression.
Ken's father immigrated to the United States from Fukushima-ken, Japan, to help his…
Kawaguchi discusses training at Fort Snelling for an anticipated invasion of Japan and having to learn Japanese language as part of his training. He also provides his thoughts about the future of Japanese Americans and Japanese culture, and the…
Hashimoto describes his travels across Hawaii for Judo tournaments. He talks about his memories of secondary school. He describes each of his siblings lives and careers. He briefly discusses his high school graduation and his college studies.…
Sakamoto describes his journey to the Pinedale Temporary Detention Center. He goes on to describe what the Pinedale Temporary Detention Center looked like. He also describes the Tule Lake Concentration Camp. Sakamoto talks about his social life at…
Watada discusses his Father's personality. Synonymous with Japanese identity and values, there are responsibilities; however, Watada's Father different. As an Issei he speaks English and associates with younger people. This is culturally…
When Shigeru Inouye is at McCormick General Hospital in Pasadena, CA, he meets another wounded Lieutenant who encourages him to go to school in Kentucky.
On August 25, 1947, Shigeru received an acceptance letter to Centre College. Shigeru shares…
Shigeru Inouye discusses his medic training and being an aid man. In late September 1943, Shigeru recalls his first battle in Salerno, Italy. After each combat, he is placed in another company to go to the front lines. He experiences his first…
Shigeru Inouye outlines the aftermath of December 7. After Pearl Habor, Shigeru's sister is in California and goes to Rohwer, AK. Shigeru visits his sister at Rohwer and describes the living conditions. He reunites with his sister again at Camp…
Morisawa discusses his prefecture origin, family, and living in a Japanese Community called "pocket patch" in Hawaii. Morisawa details about does not experience prejudice until the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) discharges all Japanese…
Kurasaki explains his journey back to Hawaii. He describes a trip to Reno, Nevada. He talks about his KP duties while stationed in the United States. He discusses reuniting with his family. He explains why he doesn’t share his war stories with his…
Takabayashi talks about his birthplace and his childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. He discuses his parents immigration. He talks about his siblings. He describes witnessing segregation while stationed in the south. He discusses his father's career.…
Yagura talks about how people reacted when Korean War soldiers returned to the United States. He reveals how much he has shared his war stories with family. He explains the reasons for wars. He briefly talks about several United States presidents.…
Kubota discusses about digging a trenches for sleeping during wartime and how he suffers from a back injury. In the Vosges Mountain, soldiers are afraid of tree burst from shrapnel. So the trenches are covered to protect them from danger. In the…
