Omoto discusses learning about the end of the war; talks about a soldier killed post-war; and discusses returning to the United States. He then talks about his post-war life including attending junior college and his employment as an accountant.…
Omoto discusses meeting up with the 100th Infantry Battalion; discusses his impressions of Hawaiian soldiers; and talks about his experiences during the Champagne Campaign. He then talks about combat experiences in Italy; his experiences with enemy…
The segment begins with Tamura discussing the Christian church that he and other Nikkei attended during wartime in Idaho, playing football, and life in his agricultural community. He discusses the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and…
Nunotani describes Earl Finch. He talks about his trip to the Jerome Concentration Camp. He talks about his unit, cannon company, and their journey to Europe. Nunotani describes his combat experiences with the 442nd. He list the campaigns he…
Izui begins his recollection of the 28 day shipment to get to Naples, Italy via the Atlantic Ocean and the initial reactions to arriving in Europe. He talks about the first time he heard gunshots in the distance, and his first day in combat, treating…
Asahina talks about her husband's participation in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and provides some of her thoughts regarding the importance of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd. She then talks about her husband's friendships with other…
Nishioka talks about his personal history and his encouragement to other veterans to share their story if they can. Next, he talks about reunions, the monument in Los Angeles and the Medals of Honor that were given away fifty years after the fact.…
Nishioka discusses his situation before shipping out, getting upgraded from first scout to a non-commissioned officer but instead deciding to volunteer to be a replacement for the 100th Infantry Battalion. After this, he would get onto a liberty ship…
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…
Tom Tsuda talks about the end of World War Two and his return to Wyoming. He discusses his accounting career and his marriage. He describes the changes he has witnessed in Cheyenne over the years. He gives his reflections on the 100th Infantry…
Tom Tsuda continues to talk about his first combat experience. He described what it was like to work with the 100th Infantry Battalion. He briefly discusses the Gothic Line. He talks about his military leaves. Tsuda explains how he interacted with…
T. Ono discusses reflections on the Pearl Harbor attack and how it affected morale of the Japanese community in Hawaii. He shares his thoughts on: patriotism; military duty; and camaraderie. He also talks about the U.S. motivation on forming the…
Thomas Ukichi Wozumi is born July 24, 1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father Utaro Wozumi, and mother, Otsuru Yamamoto Wozumi are Issei from Japan. He has two older siblings, Mildred and James.
Kaihara compares the 100th to the 442nd. He tells some stories about his time in the 100th. He describes his marriage and family. Kaihara talks about his post-war life. He discusses his civic engagements and he gives his final thoughts
Thomas Kaihara recounts his first combat experiences. He describes the horrors of war. He talks about the Battle of Monte Cassino. Kaihara describes his injuries and he gives his reflections on the 100th. He also reflects on what it means to be an…
Kaihara describes Tule Lake and how his father died. He discusses the senninbari that he received from his mother. Kaihara reveals what he thinks about the No-no boys. He goes on to talk about the formation of the 100th. He describes Camp McCoy and…
Tateishi finishes the interview talking about how he met his wife and his family. After this, he gives a message for future generations to study hard and to be proud to be American and proud of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Tateishi discusses more about his war experiences, missing out on Cassino because of trench foot. He also talks about interacting with local Italian civilians, including delivering mail from Rome to Livorno for a family and eating rabbit. He would…
Tateishi continues to talk about his whereabouts during the attacks on Pearl Harbor, including the weather during that day. He also talks about his various experiences in the war, starting with Anzio and moving up through Rome, where they would…
Tateishi begins the interview talking about how his family came from Hiroshima in Japan and settled in Hawaii. Growing up in Hawaii, he would attend McKinley High School and pick pineapples in his spare time, before joining the National Guard. He…
Shima begins the interview with an introduction and his family background, coming from Okinawa and moving to the Hawaiian islands. He speaks about growing up in Hawaii and the home that he grew up in. Next, he talks about Pearl Harbor and the after…
Kawakami continues talking about his experiences overseas during World War II. He was wounded during combat in France, and was in the hospital for about a month, but prior to that he was involved in many big battles including the Lost Battalion and…
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…
Suga talks about his first combat experiences in Italy including digging a foxhole; discussing the terrain; and witnessing soldiers wounded and killed in action. He also talks about studying different European languages while overseas; different…
Serikaku touches on a multitude of topics, including his rehabilitation, remembrance through the years and the various commemorations throughout Europe. For Stanley, it's important to keep the legacy of the 442nd alive and continue documenting and…
Serikaku finishes up recollection of the Rome-Arno campaign and speaks about various other aspects of the war including what it's like to be shot, german guns, and uphill battles. He also talks about his feelings towards his men and keeping tabs on…
Serikaku gives his first-hand fighting experience throughout Europe. To begin, he speaks briefly of the differences between "buddha heads" and "kotonks". Following that, he discusses first arriving in Europe, training and guarding items on ships…
Stanley goes in depth on the training that was received prior to going to Europe. The training began in Mississippi, where Hawaiians and mainland soldiers were first introduced to one another, resulting in slight attitude from both sides. Serikaku…
Kimura talks about his first impressions of the 100th Infantry Battalion and his first day as part of Charlie Company; discusses his experiences crossing the Rapido and Arno rivers; discusses the Italian countryside; and talks about his combat…
Kimura discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor; describes Japan’s airplanes and the Japanese flag; and talks about how his father was picked up by the FBI. He then talks about volunteering for the Army; his brother’s employment at Hickam Air Force Base;…
Izumigawa talks about his first experiences as a replacement soldier in Europe; discusses his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion prior to shipping out; and discusses the advice he received from fellow soldiers. He then talks about his…
Nohara discusses growing up on a farm in Hawaii, his parents, siblings, and attending Japanese school. He then talks about religion, Japanese values, experiences with discrimination during his childhood; and attending high school and his…
Takata discusses his military duties while he was on base. He describes Tule Lake and Amache Concentration Camps. He talks about joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He reflects on the Senninbari that his family gave to him before he went…
Taba continues talking about his time in combat throughout Europe with the 100th Infantry Regiment. He talks about various battles that he was involved with, including the Gothic Line and the Lost Battalion. Shortly after this, the war came to an end…
Taba continues with his time after he had joined the Army. After taking a train to Mississippi, he would begin his basic training at Camp Shelby, learning to be an assistant machine gunner. While there, he would join the 100th Infantry Battalion and…
Oshiro talks about landing in Naples, Italy and his journey through Italy. He explains his interactions with the 100th Infantry Battalion. He describes his first combat experience. He discusses his military assignments. He talks about his role in the…
Hoashi discusses his reasons for joining the Army, and the process of induction, getting assigned to a company and getting shipped over to Mississippi. While at Camp Shelby, he would experience segregation in the South while doing his basic training.…
Sasai discusses his experiences in English standard school including talking about his classmates and teachers. He then talks about speaking Pidgin English, friendships, and his mother's travels to Japan. Next, Sasai, talks about childhood activities…
Terasaki talks about awards and medals he received including a good conduct medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Presidential Unit Citiation. He then talks about his friendships and camraderie within his unit; the importance of the 100th Infantry…
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;…
Furukawa discusses the Champagne Campaign. He describes his leaves in France and Switzerland. He talks about the end of World War Two. He explains how he got back to California. Furukawa reflects on his time in work camps. He talks about joining the…
Kubota discusses meeting Sus Oshabata at basic training. The two becomes friends when Sus takes care of Kubota when he is sick. In mid-training Sus is selected as jeep driver and goes to a different company. After the war, they remain friends even…
Rudy Tokiwa describes his experience overseas to fight in the European Theater. After 27 days aboard ship, he and the rest of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team landed in Italy, where they met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Rome. He describes…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his experience in the European Theater. He took part in the beach landing in Anzio, Italy, and met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Rome. His first experience in combat was during the advance to…
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…
After arriving at Camp McCoy, Takashige would be chosen to be part of a secret experiment at Cat Island in Mississippi. The Army was testing and training dogs to track down Japanese soldiers and would use Japanese Americans to help train the dogs and…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss being in basic training for almost a year before deployment overseas. Both men go to France and share their first time seeing action and…
Tsuda discusses meeting up with the 100th Infantry Battalion once arrived in Italy. He would be assigned to a rifle company, even though he was trained as a heavy weapons expert. After this, they would march to Anzio. While there, he would get his…
Tsuda discusses his family religion and the untimely death of his father while he was away in Kahuku. He also talks about his brother that was already in the 100th infantry and his progressions to get there. After this, he talks about his journey to…
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…
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles
Julian Quayles discusses what happens after he escapes from the German soldiers. Julian with another Officer, finds shelter on an Italian civilian's property until they can rejoin the American…
In this video clip, Ray Nosaka recaps his combat experience in Salerno, Italy, and being sent to a segregated hospital after being injured. He goes on to talk about different memories of his experience overseas.
In this video clip, Ray Nosaka talks about going to Japanese language school and talking pidgin. He also describes what Hawai'i was like before the war, and how Japanese Americans were discriminated in the workforce, as well as the military. He goes…
Peterson discusses his experiences during the Champagne Campaign; talks about the reputation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Division; and discusses returning to the United States because of his parents' car accident. He then…
After completing his basic training at Fort Ord, Kurokawa was shipped to Germany to begin his first assignment. There, he spent time in occupation as an artillery survey specialist and would be able to travel around the area a little bit as well.…
Akama discusses barefoot football league and rival teams. He details about his educational experiences. Akama discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the military, and basic training.
Hagiwara discusses his whereabouts during the end of the war, and his route to get back home. He would get on a plane and take a long trip home, stopping along the way in Puerto Rico, then Miami, before taking a train to Chicago where his wife and…
Hagiwara discusses his shipment overseas, taking a U-boat through the Strait of Gibraltar and ending in Oran. There, they would train some more and prepare to join the rest of the men in Italy. He also talks a bit about various members of his unit…
Ikari discusses the bonds of the Nisei veterans and how combat brought those bonds much closer. After this, he shows off some of his artifacts from the war, including an M1 rifle tool, a travel order and his discharge papers.
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…
Nelson Akagi tells of his training at Camp Shelby and shipping out to the European theater. He recounts his first combat experiences and the emotions he experienced upon seeing a dead Nisei soldier. He also talks about good and bad officers and being…
Tahara talks about the end of the war, as they were marching through Europe, a plane flew overhead and threw leaflets out to them. He would return to Hawaii, seeing his mother and hearing about the death of his father. He also talks about seeing his…
Shintani speaks about the various weapons that the German soldiers used and more of his combat duties, including the Gothic Line push. Next, he talks about his various combat duties in France, including the rescue of the Lost Battalion. Once the war…
Shinmoto discusses Gila River Concentration Camp and the living conditions. Approximately 10,000 Japanese Americans are interned there. At Gila River, Shinmoto finishes Senior year of High School and enjoys art classes. He creates an oil painting…
Doi talks more about his high school education, attending Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, where he would learn social values as well as further his education. He would also partake in acting and even get to take part in a Huckleberry Finn play.…
Mas Takahashi was the youngest of five children. He grew up in San Francisco, and later, Stockton, California, where he attended high school. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, he and his family were forcibly removed to the…
In this segment, Martin Tohara talks about the different types of heavy weaponry he encountered during the war. He also shares his memories of Spark Matsunaga. Tohara also speaks about how after being drafted he was asked to help with pronunciation…
Hashimoto discusses his experiences liberating Bruyeres, Biffontaine, and the rescue of the Lost Battalion. Hashimoto describes the rescue of the Lost Battalion, recalling the many casualties and what it was like fighting against German soldiers. He…
Hashimoto discusses growing up in Santa Cruz, California and recalls helping his father with farming duties; and playing sports, including being a part of a Nisei baseball league. He then talks about his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor,…
Lawrence Yatsu gives advice to veterans who are contemplating sitting for a oral history interview. He also gives more advice to the next generation. Yatsu explains the affect of his war time injury on his psyche. He contrast his intellectual nature…
Fujimoto explains how he got trench foot. He talks about communicating with family while he was in the military. He discusses the casualties and injuries in his unit. He describes the horrors of war. He talks about receiving enemy fire at an Italian…
Fujimoto talks about his defense work in Hawaii. He explains his own reaction to the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He discusses the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He describes his journey to the Mainland. He talks about his short stay in a…
Hisatomi continues to talk about his basic training. He shares his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the "no-no boys." He discusses receiving shipping orders and his journey to Europe. He shares his first impressions of Naples, Italy. He…
Yamate discusses his duties guarding German POWs in Georgia; talks about the relationship between the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team; discusses the Lost Battalion rescue; and talks about returning to the United States. He…
Surh begins by describing her friend Nish, a Japanese American. She recalls going to Jerome in Arkansas to visit Nish and her family while they were imprisoned in camp. She also describes the poor conditions that Nish and her family lived in while at…
Ota talks more about his childhood in Washington and being able to travel around the state playing sports. He would enjoy playing basketball at the YMCA the most and would continue to help his dad working at the hotels they owned. During the summers,…
Inada discusses more about his unit detail, going from C Company to K Company as replacements were all moved. He also talks about replacements and his brother that passed away in Europe after the war had ended. Next, he talks about his first combat,…
Inada talks about his shipment to mainland America, seeing the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge on the way and then landing in Oakland. When arriving, all soldiers would have their diaries taken away and told they would not be able to get them back.…
Miya discusses discharge in 1946 in Chicago. In Chicago Miya is reunites with other Nisei soldiers who serve in the Military. He describes the contribution of the Nisei soldiers to World War Two.
Miya discusses his experiences going overseas to Italy. Aboard the ship there 200 Japanese American soldiers out of 5,000 troops. Among his peers, Miya says the accomplishments of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team…
He explains how the 100th Infantry Battalion was formed. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses Camp McCoy. He talks about being a part of F Company. He also talks about dating. He describes his rank. He discusses his captain's…
Hayakawa discusses preparing to go overseas, getting passes to visit his mother, arriving in Europe, and joining up with the 100th Infantry Battalion. He then discusses his Company A assignment, the Champagne Campaign, soldiers who were killed in…
Maeda talks about her parents immigrating from Japan to the United States, and her whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After Executive Order 9066, Maeda and her family were forcibly removed first to Pinedale Temporary Detention Facility,…
Toyota discusses family religion, secondary school, and going overseas for the European Theater. In Japan Toyota's Issei parents are Buddhist. However, when migrating to the United States, Toyota's parents believe their children should follow the…
Julian Quayles' interview is combined with Ray Wells.
Julian Quayles discusses what happens after he escapes from the German soldiers. Julian with another Officer, finds shelter on an Italian civilian's property until they can rejoin the American…
Asato begins the interview talking about his family background, including his parents coming from Okinawa prefecture and settling down on Maui. He talks about growing up in Paia, attending Paia School and picking pineapples at Maui Pineapple. He…
Ichiuji talks about being shipped overseas, first going to Newport News before going on a 28 day convoy to Italy. When arriving in Italy, he would immediately notice the destruction of Naples, and would then move up to Bagnoli, where they would be…
Joe Saito discusses conditions at Camp Shelby and shares experiences. At basic training he describes the relationship between Mainland boys and Hawaiian boys. Saito parts ways with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team when he arrives at Camp Meade…
Makino talks about basic training, tells a story about an officer who was killed in action, and discusses meeting up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy. He then talks about some of his combat experiences overseas; his interactions with…
Makino talks about traveling to Tulare temporary detention center and Gila River Concentration Camp; discipline he experienced growing up; working at post office in Gila River, and his enemy alien classification. He then talks about volunteering for…
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…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori talks about finishing his education, enlisting in the Army, and joining the 442nd. In addition, James recounts becoming a military citations clerk, as well as other military experience. Next, he…
Araki begins the interview with a short introduction and speaking about his time at the Japanese language school. Being born in Sacramento and then moving to Hawaii, he had a different type of upbringing than most kids in Hawaii. The kids would call…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his family and about sharing his story with future generations. He goes on to describe the different medals that he was awarded, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Italian Cross, and the…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his return to France to be with his unit after one of the sections was bombed. He talks a little about the Champagne Campaign, the Gothic Line and Po Valley Campaigns. He describes his homecoming and…
Hiroki talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and his voyage to the mainland. He describes landing in the mainland and what Camp McCoy was like. He revisits basic training. Hiroki talks about Camp Savage. He describes military language and Japanese…
Tanaka talks about his cousins that were living in Japan during the war and the communications he had with them. Next, he talks about the route to joining the 442nd in Nice. After this, they would march forward to begin a surprise attack on the…
During wartime, Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura worked at the Ford Agency and was the youngest mechanic at 17 years old. He recalls December 7, 1941, and hearing the news when he went duck hunting. Hershey was shocked and felt uncertain about the future…
Suehiro discusses his mindset during the war, which was readied by a letter written from his mother to not bring shame to his father. This got him to rid himself of cowardice and continue to push on during combat. He would experience this bravery…
