Ito talks about his religious background. He discusses his church attendance. He shares his knowledge of World War Two overseas. He continues to describe the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He talks about his family's forced removal. He…
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.…
Fukuhara discusses getting drafted and going to Camp Blanding for basic training; traveling overseas; weapons he carried; Army friendships; and his relationship with Hawaiian soldiers. He then talks about landing in France and traveling to…
Inoshita talks about his return to the United States. He describes what his family did after leaving Gila River. He discusses his return to farming. He explains how he dealt with aging. He explains how he met his wife. Inoshita talks about his wife,…
Matsumoto talks about meeting his wife, his marriage, and his children. He then talks about his post-war employment working at the post office, a plantation, and with the Boy Scouts. Next, Matsumoto talks about being a part of the Boy Scouts as a…
Takeo Ikeda continues to talk about his first combat experience. He discusses a Medal of Honor recipient. He briefly talks about his rank. He describes his good luck charms. He explains how he got a concussion as a child. He talks about his religious…
Deguchi discusses about his experiences in France and Italy. He details about joining becoming an officer and joining the reserves. Deguchi also discusses about his family and his career.
Yoshitake talks about meeting his wife; discusses his children; talks about sharing his war experiences with his grandson; and discusses his participation in veterans associations. He then talks about sharing war stories with the public, provides a…
Tomita discusses post-war employment working for the State of California in auditing and accounting, meeting his wife, and his daughter's work with the Navy. He then talks about his hopes for the future in regards to his daughter and granddaughter,…
Fujimoto provides some thoughts about the 100th and 442nd including a story regarding a former classmate who was killed in action; and discusses his whereabouts when he heard about D-Day. He then talks about his experiences with discrimination in…
Fujimoto discusses life experiences and luck, meeting his wife, working while at Rohwer Concentration Camp; and going to the hospital for pleurisy. He then discusses taking an Army questionnaire, getting his draft notice, and basic training at Camp…
Masuoka talks about mentors he had in graduate school and while he was employed at a VA hospital. He then talks about his experiences traveling across the United States after he retired, and his brother's military service. Next, Masuoka introduces…
Masuoka discusses seeing General MacArthur in Tokyo, talks about rankings within the platoon, and discusses his experiences in San Francisco during his Civil Censorship Detachment (CCD) training. He then talks about traveling to Japan, his…
Masuoka talks about his participation in a Japanese American pharmacy fraternity at college; discusses his wedding ring; and talks about his wife's experiences living in Colorado after she left incarceration camp. He then talks about getting drafted,…
Tsukahara discusses his family and childhood. He delivers newspapers to help the family. In high school he is in Reserve Training Officer Corps. After high school graduation he attend junior college for 2 years before moving to Los…
Ichikawa discusses the purpose of an Anti-Tank Company, and recalls stories of other soldiers having to dig foxholes during a battle in Vosges, as well as their experiences with glider invasions with airborne units. He then talks about his parents,…
Arakaki gives a little more background on his career work after his service with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would work as a carpenter before working for the a university as a custodian. Next, he talks about his family, including his…
Arakaki talks a bit more about his childhood in Okinawa. As he grew up in the village of Gushiken, he would learn folk songs, and play with his siblings. He would also take an interest in karate and learn bo. Next, he talks about the home he grew up…
Mr. Hayashi discusses the morale of his unit after facing heavy combat in France. Soon after this, the unit would return to Italy to join up with the African American 92nd Infantry to help with the offensive campaign. Mr. Hayashi goes on to discuss…
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…
Kajiwara talks about his guard duty assignments. He briefly talks about the Champagne Campaign. He describes his unit's successful attempt to take a hillside from German soldiers. He discussing being discharged and his return to the United States.…
Kanatani discusses his post-war career and his family fared after leaving camp. He details about his wife, children, and grandchildren. Kanatani gives a message to future generations and showing photographs.
Tsuya talks about his friend's war record. He discusses his time at Schofield Barracks. He describes Iolani Palace. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses his time at Camp Shelby. He describes being assigned to E Company. He talks…
Hayakawa describes getting assistance from a Kibei when writing letters home due to his lack of knowledge regarding the Japanese language; discusses combat experiences at Po Valley; and talks about getting sick and his hospital stay near Livorno. He…
Akiyama discusses his wife, marriage, daughter, and his reasons for participating in the Hanashi Oral History Program. He also talks about his participation in the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and other post-war recreational activities…
Urata talks about the legacy of the Nisei. He discusses the lessons his parents taught him. He shares his hopes for the future. He also shares his thoughts on 9/11. Urata talks about deaths in his family. His wife joins the interview and answers…
Nagano talks about getting discharged and returning to the United States; his experiences with discrimination while trying to get a job; his employment as a chemist; meeting his wife; and moving. He then talks about his children, joining Go for Broke…
Onodera discusses about his experiences in Japan and his discharge. He details about his wife and family. Onodera also discusses about his post-war life and the legacy of the Nisei.
During the Occupation of Japan, Isamu "Sam" Saito got an opportunity to travel around Japan. He recalls visiting Osaka, and the locals have their dialect. Luckily, his cousin from Yokohama helps translate for him.
Shimizu discusses about Nisei units and the war's end. He details about coming home, meeting his wife, and his life after the war. Shimizu also discusses about his family.
Doi discusses about living in Seattle. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Doi also discusses about volunteering for service, the affects of incarceration, and his wife.
Inami talks about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, getting discharged, and going back to college post-war. He then talks about receiving a commission for signal corps and getting recalled into the Korean War, as well as his duties during the Korean…
Inami talks about his freshman orientation at UC Berkeley and his experiences with discrimination, and discusses how his military service as well as the existence of the 442nd helped him with his career. He then talks about his family's forced…
Endo discusses his experiences at University of Florence learning about Italian culture; talks about returning to the United States; and discusses marching in a parade in Washington D.C. He then talks about getting discharged and going back to…
Sugihara discusses the projects he works on for the Department of Agriculture. One of his successful project is the improvement of dry eggs. Sugihara meets his wife in college and they get married after she graduates. They have one daughter and their…
Hiraoka discusses about his families watch store and living in Illinois. He details about his post-war life in Hilo, Hawaii and his marriage. Hiraoka also reflects on his military experiences and gives some closing remarks.
Mukai talks about meeting his wife in Japan and having to go through an approval process in order to get married, going to business school in Minneapolis, and moving to Japan. Mukai also talks about his daughter, and provides some advice to future…
Nakamura discusses about his family in Japan, visiting Hiroshima, and his experiences in Japan. He details about coming home, going to college, and his career. Nakamura also discusses about his wife, baseball, and gives a message to future…
Hibino talks about the rescue of the Lost Battalion. He lists the contributions of Japanese American soldiers. He explains how he met his wife. He describes his courtship with his future wife. He discusses his emergency return to the United States.…
Saiki answers some final questions about where his family went after the war had completed and some of the war experiences that he had overseas. After this, he gives a message for future generations and some final notes. Finally, he narrates various…
Miyashiro explains his reaction to a soldier who died because of friendly fire. He talks about the end of World War Two. He describes what happened when he tried to get military passes for his squad. He discusses a high ranking officer. He describes…
Kawagoye discusses corresponding with his family while overseas; talks about his assignment processing German POWs post-war; and discusses the Army point system. Next, Kawagoye talks about traveling back to the United States and his stopover in…
Ozaki discusses hearing about Executive Order 9066 and the evacuation of all Japanese from the west coast. Being on the east coast, he never had to deal with an evacuation, but felt sympathy for those who did. Next, he talks about the members of his…
Nakamoto talks about landing in Naples, Italy for the first time. He continues to explain his connection to a 1st Sergeant for G Company. He talks about his work as a florist. He discusses his wife.
Kikuchi discusses experiencing enemy fire; talks about the end of the war; and discusses his combat experiences at Po Valley. He then talks about the Army point system; getting a pass to travel in Italy and Switzerland post-war; and attending college…
Aoki discusses working with prisoners of war (POW) and his employment once the war was over. He details about his family and children. Aoki also discusses how he met his wife.
Atagi describes trench foot, being near tree burst artillery fire while in France, interactions with German soldiers during his time as a medic, and his thoughts about the war in regards to Japanese Americans and discrimination. After the war, Atagi…
Ito describes being a part of an army medical reserve commission, discusses the formation of 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and what it was like being deactivated and later called to active duty and assigned to a hospital surgical service. He also…
Yamane continues to reflect on his war service. He talks about his son's service. He discusses his wife's first marriage. He describes his children and grandchildren. He shares his best experiences while in the military. He talks about training new…
Iwasaki discusses the end of his military service and his post-war life. He also talks about spouse and children. He shares anecdotes regarding: time in Europe, courtship with spouse, and Nisei veterans' legacy.
Koyama talks about transporting prisoners. He talks about the types of injuries he saw, including million dollar wounds. He discusses the end of World War Two. He explains how he communicated with his family while he was overseas. He briefly talks…
Nagaki talks about his company’s commander- Captain Keegan, returning home and working on a farm with his brothers, and discusses receiving badges and medals such as the Combat Infantryman Badge. He then talks about how he met his wife, and discusses…
Kuga continues his interview speaking about the medals and awards that were given throughout the war. Next, he speaks about his marriage and career backgrounds, including working for the NRA. After this he speaks about the impact that the niseis have…
Kimura discusses his best and worst war experiences and talks about the camaraderie among soldiers. He then talks about his post-war life including going back to school for photography in Los Angeles and returning to Hawaii where he had a photography…
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…
Tsubota discusses more about his time spent in Burma and being with the Merrill's Marauders. He also details about his life after the war. Tsubota discusses receiving the Bronze Star.
Yatsu talks about his sense of humor. He talks about his humorous life experiences. He discusses enrolling in college. Yatsu describes the work he did while in college. He also talks about his post-graduate studies and work experiences. He describes…
Ota discusses his wife and her occupation; and their children. He then talks about the units he was assigned to while in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, and concludes by providing a message to his children and future…
Hiraoka discusses about his wife, volunteering, and constitutional rights. He details about arriving at an experiences at Camp Shelby. Hiraoka also briefly discusses about his experiences in Italy France.
Nohara talks about his friendships, tells a story regarding a soldier killed in action; and talks about receiving Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. He then talks about getting wounded, returning to the United States, and his experiences during his…
Muramaru discusses some of his brother’s brushes with death, Army food; and experiences during European campaigns, such as the rescue of the Lost Battalion and encounters with a Brazilian combat team. He then talks about the end of the war, the Army…
Saiki continues to describe the post-war living conditions in Japan. He talks about his wife. He discusses his work for a market in Hawaii. He explains how his military background helped him in other aspects of his life. He discusses his journey back…
Ken Tamura discusses his friendship with other translators. In Japan, there is a shortage of food, and the locals did not have money to buy anything. The locals sometimes will befriend the GIs to get supplies to survive.
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…
Tsukazaki talks about going to Japanese school, classes he took while at Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), and his assignments while in Orlando for more intelligence school. He then talks about getting married while at Camp…
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.
Yamate explains how he returned to civilian life. He talks about making a home in Chula Vista, California. He continues to discuss his wife. He talks about the Nisei Memorial and citizenship rights for Japanese Americans. Yamate explains how he met…
Yamate talks about the Battle of Bulge. He discusses 552nd Field Artillery Battalion and the 100th Infantry Battalion. He talks about his unit, 44th division. He describes the Bruyeres-Biffontaine campaign. He talks about the end of World War Two and…
Noguchi discusses the deaths of his parents and first wife; and talks about how he met his current wife. He then talks about his involvement with veteran organizations such as the American Legion Nisei Post and MIS club; and tells a story regarding…
Samuel Yamaguchi discusses his military discharge and return home. He talks about his life after the war, and reflects on what his military service means to him. He talks about his opinion on the 9/11 conflict. He also diplays a photograph and talks…
Ken Nihei discussed the poem If by Rudyard Kipling and how it applies to life.
Ken recalls his wife Masuko and life with their children, Westley Paul and Judith Ann. Ken hopes his children to live a good life and enjoy every moment.
Post-war, Ken Nihei and five other 442nd men escorted 400 German POWs to Rosenheim, Germany. Ken was in Italy for a year and eight months before going home.
In August 1946, Ken returned to the United States, and he took a short road trip to San…
Hanamura recites a poem he learned in school, discusses how he would like to be remembered, talks about his friendships with other veterans, and discusses meeting his wife. Lastly, Hanamura talks about his children, discusses the differences between…
Mr. Yabu discusses his enlisting into the United States Navy and traveling to San Diego to the naval recruit training center. He worked for a time in the San Diego Naval Hospital before befriending and eventually working for Robert Stewart MacDonald.…
Shimomura discusses receiving a post-war scholarship from United States Army Government Aid and Relief in Occupied Areas (GARIOA). He then talks about his experiences working in the medical profession including working in hospitals in New York and…
Otsuka discusses about his parents and meeting his wife. He details about his family's situation during World War Two. Otsuka also discusses about his post-war life and reflects on his military service
Minata continues to talk about his leave in Europe. He talks about the 442nd Regimental Combat team's sports league. He describes the end of World War Two and his journey home. He discusses his return to college and subsequent career as a…
Yamada talks about his experiences with the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) at Fort Snelling, discusses visiting [Minidoka] incarceration camp, and talks about his assignments at Fort Snelling as a clerk. He then talks about his troop train assignment,…
Shiosaki discusses his wife including talking about how they met, her employment, and her personality. He then talks about trying to find a job; talks about his most interesting job; and discusses his children. Next, Shiosaki talks about the legacy…
Shiosaki discusses the [Saito] brothers' military service; talks about a Staff Sergeant; and discusses the end of the war including assisting with processing POWs. He then discusses the Army point system; discusses learning about President Franklin…
Kitada talks about getting discharged, his post-war employment as a gardener, and discusses his children and grandchildren. He then talks about the differences between pre-war and present day segregation, discusses his thoughts regarding the 442nd…
Kanda talks about John Aiso and his involvement in Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS); discusses the contributions of Japanese Americans to the war effort; and discusses the job he had while he was in Cleveland. He then talks about…
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).
Konno talks about his experiences in England; eating rice growing up and while overseas; and post-war employment. He also talks about meeting his wife while at Heart Mountain incarceration camp, discusses his children, and provides some thoughts…
Oda recalls an incident while at Manzanar Incarceration Camp involving a physical altercation with a man over an article written in the Manzanar Free Press. He then talks about meeting his wife, and going to Camp Savage where he was assigned to be an…
Matsuura talks about his trench foot condition, his experiences after rejoining the 442nd in Italy, getting discharged; and reenlisting and going to Japan. He then talks about his assignment in Japan in technical intelligence, and discusses his…
Nishimura describes F Company reunions. He briefly talks about the F Company motto. He discusses his friendships. Nishimura tells a joke. He explains how he met his wife. He describes what it is like to live with his adult children. He talks about…
Kodama continues talking about the end of the war, helping with the interrogation process of German prisoners of war. He would miss the first pool of soldiers to head home on the points system but be granted a 30-day leave, in which he would travel…
Kodama talks about his shipment overseas following his basic training at Camp Blanding. He would get on a liberty ship and head for Southampton, thinking they would meet up with the 442nd in Belgium, but instead they would join up at Sospel, France.…
After the evacuation, Kodama and his family would head to Santa Anita race track where they would spend some time in a temporary detention center, where they would have almost no privacy. It was there, that he would meet his first wife, who taught…
Kishaba discuss about post-traumatic stress disorder and being wounded. He also talks about the Champagne Campaign, Po Valley, and the ending of the war. Kishaba details about his post-war life and shares advice for the future generation.
Kojimoto talks about volunteering to go to Fort Snelling. He discusses his employment at a laundromat. He describes his return to San Francisco, California. He explains how he reunited his future wife. He talks about his employment as an accountant.…
Kono discusses his post-war career working for the Dole Company, the East-West Center, his work on a project regarding the centennial of Japanese immigration to Hawaii, and some of his other employment opportunities. He then talks about some of his…
Yamanaka discusses meeting his wife; his children; his involvement with veterans associations and reunion with E Company members of 442nd; and his wife's employment. Lastly, Yamanaka provides a message to future generations, and discusses some of…
Takekawa discusses his assignment in Okinawa training police officers in the Provost Marshal’s office; and talks about his wife, life in Okinawa, getting discharged, and returning to Hawaii. He then talks about working as a sales manager in…
Tamanaha briefly talks about being discharged. He discusses his wife and children. He describes his relationships with other veterans. He reflects on his military experiences. Tamanaha reveals how he talks to his family about his time in the service.…
Matsuda continues to talk about his relationships with Hawaiian soldiers. He also continues to discuss Bruyeres-Biffontaine. He talks about returning to the United States. He describes his experiences with discrimination after World War Two. He…
