Yatsu describes how he would leave Poston to go to the Colorado River. He continues to talk about being drafted. Then he describes basic training and life at Camp Blanding. He explains what he knew about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team before he…
Akamine reveals the effects of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He discusses the Big Five companies in Hawaii, his electric work, and the draft. Akamine talks about his basic training experiences and the journey to Europe. He elaborates on his struggles…
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.
Saiki discusses his experiences being a Hawaii Territorial Guard after Pearl Harbor attack and how he enlisted in the 442 Regiment after he declined joining the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He talks about how his family reacted to his enlisted. He…
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 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.…
Teraoka talks about his experiences with segregation in the south; and life at Camp Shelby including discussing his mentors, the barracks, the weather, and food. He then talks about how he got his nickname, provides an explanation of the word katonk,…
Teraoka discusses his experiences transitioning from elementary to intermediate school and his classes in an English standard school. He then talks about The Attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath, volunteering for the Army and his father’s reaction,…
Izui begins by continuing his recollection of being separated from his father and the strength of his mother during these hard times. He then speaks about loyalty to the United States, including the loyalty questionnaires, no-no boys and reporting…
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…
Yamada discusses his experience on the Mainland and going overseas. Yamada is not at Camp McCoy for very long. Only a few months for infantry training for the 100th Infantry Battalion. Later he volunteers for Military Intelligence Service.
Yamada discusses playing sports in his childhood such as barefoot football, tennis and fishing with his friends. One holiday that his family celebrates annually is the Emperor of Japan's birthday and New Year (because of the food). They also sing…
Tsuida discusses his family and growing up in San Diego. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and being drafted. Tsudia also discusses about his early experiences in the military and basic training.
Wada discusses hearing about the death of his father after battling with leukemia, and then going from basic training to overseas. They would go from Camp Patrick Henry on a 30 day trek to Naples, where he would begin his combat. He talks about his…
Wada talks about volunteering for the Army, getting married before getting his notice to report to basic training. He would be inducted at Salt Lake City, feeling proud and more American in the process. He would head to Camp Shelby in Mississippi,…
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…
Guy discusses his time in basic training at Camp Croft in South Carolina. He would learn how to use heavy machine guns and then be shipped overseas, first landing in Casablanca, playing card games and reading throughout the shipment. Once arrived in…
Senzaki discusses life while at Rohwer Incarceration Camp including describing the climate and scenery and telling stories about when he was a lieutenant at the fire station. He then talks about being recruited to join the 442nd Regimental Combat…
Suzuki discusses being at Fort Benning when the war ends and going to Japan for occupation. He details about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Suzuki discusses his military career and the additional training he received.
Suzuki discusses leaving Gila River Concentration Camp and going to Chicago. He details about his experiences in Chicago and being drafted. Suzuki also discusses about his experiences in basic training.
Teshima discusses his family and Gallup New Mexico. He details about his childhood, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Teshima also discusses about volunteering and basic training.
Ito discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the pressures of war hysteria. It was during this time that he was drafted into the Army and selected for Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He was sent to Fort Snelling to take Japanese language…
Tanaka discusses a submarine washing ashore and the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He details about his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. Tanaka also tasks about heading overseas and his experiences in North Africa.
Mukai talks about his life after high school. He describes his family's relationship with relatives in Japan. He discusses the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He shares his knowledge of the American Concentration Camps. Mukai discuses his…
Shindo discusses his childhood and family. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor and volunteering for the Army. Shindo also discusses about basic training, experiences at Camp Savage, and in Australia.
Miyasato discusses about growing up in Littleton, Colorado. He details about the draft process and basic training. Miyasato also discusses about his experiences in
Kitada discusses his infantry, rank, parents, growing up in the Los Angeles area, siblings, and working as a gardener. He then talks about school, the attack on Pearl Harbor, experiences with discrimination, and going to Manzanar Concentration Camp.…
Konno discusses the living conditions, food, and weather at Heart Mountain, as well as his daily activities and work. He then talks about volunteering for the Army and traveling from Heart Mountain to Mississippi. Lastly, Konno talks about basic…
Nakao discusses growing up in Sacramento, California, where he attended Japanese language school, learned martial arts, and was a liquor salesman for Japanese liquor. He also talks about encountering racism during his time in the Quartermaster Corps…
Matsuura talks about his parents, going to school in Spokane, being sent to Japan as a child; and returning to the United States and working on a farm. He then talks about attending high school, the Attack on Pearl Harbor, volunteering for the Army,…
Nishimura and the interviewers introduce themselves. He describes his early life in Hawaii. He talks about his parents and siblings. He describes his involvement in sports. He describes his religious background. He talks about the social activities…
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 discusses about life after high school, going to vocational school, and working on the railroad until volunteering for the military. He talks about his experiences going to the Mainland leaving Hawaii for the first time. Kishaba also…
Watada discusses life at camp consist of working during the day, meals in the mess hall, and socializing in the recreation hall. Watada works in the warehouse and working in the silk screen shop printing silk screen posters with slogans. Watada's…
Takahashi discusses about growing up in Washington. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Takahashi also discusses volunteering for the Army, experiences during basic training, and going overseas. Takahashi details about his families…
Kojimoto explains how he met his wife at Santa Anita Assembly Center He describes what he did in his leisure time at Santa Anita Assembly Center. He talks about his employment at Santa Anita. He discusses working and living in Utah. He talks about…
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…
Sakaji discusses attending trade school; talks about his knowledge of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion; discusses getting drafted and his induction; and talks about his 4C and 1A classifications. He then talks about basic…
Hashisaka would work at the post office as clerk until he volunteered for the Army as part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would first head to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu before being sent out on a victory ship to California, where…
Nakabe talks about his duties being in charge of meal tickets on the train while traveling to Camp Shelby; discusses 'Axis Sally; and talks about segregation at Camp Carson and in the Southern United States. He then talks about the relationship…
Yukimura discusses Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details about being in the Hawaii Territorial Guard and being discharged from the guard. Yukimura also discusses how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed and he joined the Army. He also details…
Takao discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and going to the mainland for basic training. Takao and five friends volunteer and only himself and a friend is selected. Takao is assign to Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Platoon…
Akira Otani continues to talk about the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He describes joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He discusses an assembly at the Iolani Palace. He talks about leaving Hawaii and his journey to the Mainland. He describes…
Yamanaka talks about his experiences at Camp Roberts during basic training, discusses the Attack on Pearl Harbor, talks about being sent to Fort Lewis to become part of a medics unit; and then discusses getting transferred to reserves and sent home.…
Ichiuji would be drafted into the Army, getting inducted in San Francisco and taking his basic training at Camp Roberts. There, he would learn to shoot the Howitzer gun and join in on maneuvers. However, once the attacks on Pearl Harbor occurred, he…
Tsuneishi discusses discrimination and civil rights. After high school he goes to University of California Los Angeles and major in Political Science and minor in English. Then he transfers University of Berkley for Asian Studies in 1941 when the…
Takekawa discusses getting kicked out of the Hawaii Territorial Guard and the formation of the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He then talks about incarceration camps in Hawaii, volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and traveling to the…
Kiyabu discusses about basic training, being assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion, and his furlough experiences. He details about going overseas. Kiyabu also discusses about his combat experiences in Italy and France.
Ikari continues talking about his basic training at Camp Shelby, joining E Company and preparing for their shipment overseas. They would ship out from Newport News aboard a liberty ship, gambling, playing cards and listening to music throughout the…
Ikari continues to talk about his work life before the war, getting his start in chick sexing and discussing the technique to learning whether a baby chick was a male or female at the hatchery. Next, he talks about being at Los Angeles City College…
Tamanaha continues to talk about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. He discusses why he enlisted and his journey to the Mainland. He describes discrimination at Camp Shelby and Hattiesburg, including racial discrimination against African Americans.…
Kanada talks about his parents immigrating to Hawaii, childhood activities in Honolulu, values growing up, and attending English and Japanese language school. He then talks about recreational activities such as sports, swimming, and ballroom dancing;…
Suehiro continues talking about his experiences during the attacks on Pearl Harbor and afterwards, including facing discrimination and seeing the Varsity Victory Volunteers at the University of Hawaii. Hearing about the 100th/442nd forming, Suehiro…
Following the end of the war, Sakamoto would get out of the camp and head back to Los Angeles, where he would get a place with his brother in Bunker Hill and start working at Columbia Records, manning the hydraulic press to make the plastic records.…
Matsuda talks about his high school graduation. He talks about his life while living in Heart Mountain Concentration Camp. He discusses his voluntary enlistment. He describes his journey to Fort Logan. He talks about Fort Logan and Camp Shelby.…
Kagawa talks about growing up in Japan until he was nine; his father's employment; and his childhood in Hawaii including discussing recreational activities and attending Japanese language school. He then talks about attending high school and his…
Muramoto discusses growing up in Hilo, Hawaii; and talks about his parents, siblings, recreational activities, school, speaking Japanese at home, and religion. He also talks about a classmate who was killed in action, playing softball, childhood…
Takata talks about high school and his youth basketball team. He describes a teacher that had a big influence on his life. He reflects on his experiences with discrimination while living in Sacramento. He talks about his move to Los Angeles and…
Miyashiro discusses his childhood including his community and neighborhood; friendships; and how he got his nickname. He then talks about his father's employment as a taxi driver, his mother's death, his siblings, attending Japanese language school,…
Kurasaki describes his journey to Camp Shelby. He also describes his basic training. He discusses his relationships with other soldiers and what he did in his leisure time. He talks about his life while at Camp Shelby. Kurasaki describes the other…
Yokote talks about his induction into the Army, getting his draft notice and heading to Presidio Monterey. He talks about the activities they did during their first basic training at Camp Grant, including inspections and KP duty. After this, he would…
Yokote talks about his musical background, getting a trombone at a young age and learning the importance and discipline of instruments. He then begins to talk about his time at basic training at Camp Blanding and the unit that he was a part of. While…
Masuda discusses about being drafted and basic training. He details about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and experiences in Japan. Masuda also discusses about his family and career.
Yokooji discusses how his family traveled to and from the Hawaiian Islands; discusses his reasons for volunteering; and provides some thoughts regarding World War Two and opportunities for Nisei during the war. He then talks about the "Go for Broke"…
Iwamoto discusses his nickname, his parents and the reasons why his father immigrated to the United States; his parents' employment; his parent's personalities; and working at his father's cafe. He then talks about going to church, attending school,…
Yano continues to talk about his basic training at Camp Shelby, seeing some friction between the Hawaiian and mainland soldiers. He also talks about seeing one soldier die during basic training in an accident. Joining E Company, he would be shipped…
Yano continues to talk about he and his families time at Gila River Concentration Camp and being reclassified for the draft. After this, he talks about the loyalty questionnaire and knowing he would answer yes, yes to the draft questions. He would…
Inami discusses basic training and being replacements for 442nd Regimental Combat. The European Theater ends and Inami volunteers for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Later Inami is inducted into the Counter Intelligence Corps. He describes…
Keegan discusses his youth growing up in New York and Ohio. He talks about his parents' family backgrounds, and social conditions he observed growing up. He also discusses how growing up in the Great Depression impacted his adolescence; and his early…
Morinaka discusses his time in the Army, including his basic training with Allen Funt, and being around other Japanese American soldiers. Next, he talks about what he did after his discharge, such as going back to school and working at the Tooele…
Hideo Morinaka begins the interview speaking of his family background and growing up in Utah. He would enjoy hunting, fishing and playing football while growing up on a 120 acre farm. Throughout his schooling, he would also be responsible for milking…
Endo discusses his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. He details gymnastics, being drafted, and basic training. Endo also discusses his experiences at Fort Snelling and heading Japan.
Tahara discusses his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, training with other Nisei soldiers, including some Nisei officers that had come from Fort Benning. After this, he discusses the American concentration camps and how the Hawaiian soldiers felt…
Tahara discusses his father's incarceration at Sand Island and the living conditions that he had to deal with there. Next, he talks about his induction into the Army and the processes of getting uniforms and equipment at Schofield Barracks. Following…
Doi discusses traveling from Hawaii to the mainland, traveling to Camp Shelby, and talks about his experiences at Camp Shelby including basic training, recreational activities, corresponding with his family, and weapons training. He then provides…
Terasaki talks about getting drafted and his enemy alien classification; working as a soda jerk; and getting reclassified as 1-A. He then talks about his attempts to volunteer for the Navy after induction; his experiences traveling to Camp Shelby;…
Hayashi begins the interview speaking about his family background, being born in Denver and what it was like to grow up there. As a child, he would have the chance to live in Japan and would do so for two years, learning all about the Japanese…
While at the Topaz Concentration Camp, Kimura would see Army recruiting teams, looking for Japanese speakers to join the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would volunteer and pass the tests, giving him a sense of patriotism and a reason to get…
Yamaguchi discusses about his family and visiting his parent's hometown. He details about his schooling and getting drafted. Yamaguchi also discusses about his pre-war military service, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath.
Imada discusses about his experiences in Ohio and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in basic training and at Fort Snelling. Imada also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and post-war Japan.
Ogawa discusses about joining the Army and the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about traveling to Arkansas and basic training. Ogawa also discusses about the Nisei units and first assignment stateside.
Ogata discusses about his family, home life, and childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor, aftermath, being drafted, and its induction experience. Ogata also discusses about his experiences at Camp Blanding and heading overseas. He also details about…
Shintaku discusses his children, racism, and how time has change with the notion of Japanese culture and products. Shintaku witnesses racism in Denver and goes to Philadelphia. Shintaku's status of 4C is now change to 1A to join the army. He is in…
Iwasaki talks about his siblings, parents, growing up on a farm in Oregon, school, and playing sports. He then talks about his childhood experience with discrimination, getting drafted, his brother's military service, basic training at Fort…
Ikeguchi discusses his experiences with prejudice; talks about his childhood friendships and recreational activities; and discusses school including his favorite subjects, involvement in clubs, and playing sports. He then talks about his goals for…
Espineda continues to talk about his induction into the army. He describes Camp Shelby. He discusses segregated units. He describes his basic training. He talks about Hawaiian soldiers in his unit and the cultural diversity in the present day.…
Kodama and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kodama talks about his wife and children. He briefly discusses the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He describes his early life in Imperial Valley, California. He talks about his parents and his family…
Mori continues his recollection of his basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and the preparation for the war. After that, he was sent back to Fort Snelling before being shipped out, and at that time also got married. Next, he would be shipped…
Mori begins the interview speaking of his parent's background, immigrating from Japan to Santa Barbara, California. While attending school, Mori took an interest in horticulture and would end up farming after his high school graduation and before the…
In 1940, Sachio Takata graduated high school and went to the Delta Islands to work in the celery field. Sachio wanted to save money to further his education and attend medical school.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066, Sachio and his…
Peterson discusses his father and his immigration to the United States from Sweden; talks about his mother; discusses speaking Swedish at home; and discusses his childhood including talking about religion, his community, classmates, and his…
Arakaki discusses Akira Sakima and various friends that he made in the Army from his platoon and squad. After this, he talks more about his basic training experiences and how he was assigned to the bazooka team. Once overseas, he would face his first…
Arakaki talks about visiting Japan as a toddler and remembering how poor his family was while living there, often only having a slice of bread for lunch. The family would move back to Hawaii to escape that, and would have much more opportunity and…
Kagawa discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. He details about heading overseas and when he realized "this is war". Kagawa also discusses the duties of Headquarters Company, paying respect to deceased German soldiers, and the Battle…
Kagawa discusses growing up in Waimea, family, and his educational experiences. He details about why he volunteered for the army and what he remembers about December 7, 1941. Kagawa also discusses the events after Pearl Harbor.
Choichi discusses his journey to the Mainland and his experiences at Camp McCoy. He details about going to the World Series and his experiences in Mississippi and Camp Shelby . Choichi also discusses how he spent his free and his friends.
Teraoka talks about going to Camp Shelby for basic training, explains the meaning of "katonk", and discusses D Company members. He then talks about traveling overseas to Italy, communicating with his family, and describes Naples. Next, Teraoka talks…
Sakoda recalls the time that he spent at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, including describing training exercises, encounters with locals, and experiences with discrimination. He then goes on to discuss traveling to Camp Shelby, and his first experiences…
