Masunaga discusses his family, the family farm, and growing up in Colorado. He details growing up during The Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Mansunaga also discusses about joining the service, becoming a medic, and basic training.
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,…
Kuwahara discusses more about fate and The lost Battalion. He details about about why he stayed in Italy after the war ended. Kuwahara also discusses his interactions with the Italian people and guarding German prisoners.
Kuwahara discusses his childhood and growing in Maui. He details about the events of Pearl Harbor and enlisting into the service. Kuwahara also discusses what it was like at Camp Shelby and in Mississippi. He also details about his experiences and…
Kusunoki discusses about his experiences at Topaz Concentration Camp and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team assigned to the medical detachment. Kusunoki also discusses about his post-war life.
Kurahara discusses about camp experiences at Tule Lake Concentration Camp. During this time his Mother is ill and passes away after visiting the children in camp. Only Jan, Kurahara's brother is allow to leave camp to attend their Mother's the…
Mr. Kuniyoshi describes his time at Camp Shelby, discussing his role as a squad leader and discusses some of the former members of his squad. He next talks about being shipped to the frontline in Italy and describes a situation in which his platoon…
Kuniyoshi discusses the action he saw throughout Europe, including battles which liberated the city of Bruyeres, France and helped rescue the "Lost Battalion." Shortly after fighting in the Gothic Line, the war ended in Europe and he was discharged…
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…
Kon discusess about breaking his leg and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his experiences in the European Theatre and getting wounded. Kon also discusses about his life and career after being discharged.
Kodama talks about his serial number. He describes embarking from New Jersey and his journey to Europe. He discusses landing in Marseilles, France. He talks about receiving his assignment at the replacement depot. He describes his interactions with…
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…
Mr. Kobashigawa describes his arrival in Italy and talks about the action he saw throughout the Anzio Campaign. Mr. Kobashigawa was wounded in battle several times and discusses how military hospitals functioned at the time. Near the end of the…
Kizuka discusses about his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp, his family, and leaving camp. He details about volunteering for service, experiences at Camp Shelby, and Earl Finch. Kizuka also discusses about going to and arriving in Europe.
Kimoto discusses his trip from Hawaii to San Francisco and later the train ride to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Arriving at Camp Shelby, Kimoto received basic training as part of the engineering unit, and learned how to find and diffuse land mines.…
Kikuyama discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his combat experiences. Kikuyama also discusses about his best and worst experiences during Word War Two.
Kawamoto discusses his basic training and engineer training, the sea voyage to Europe, and his impressions of Italy. He also recalls his first battle, the Lost Battalion, and getting injured.
Kawahara discusses getting married, basic training, and his trip overseas. He details about his combat experiences and his post-war life. Kawahara's son (Sheldon) discusses about his relationship with his father and discusses about the legacy of the…
Katagiri discusses how he got drafted after release from internment camp. He talks about becoming a replacement soldier for the 442nd regiment and being sent to Europe, eventually participating in the Gothic Line combat. Katagiri shares anecdotes…
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy. Genro Kashiwa describes his first battle experience in Italy, and how the 100th Infantry Battalion looked out for the new recruits of the 442nd RCT in combat. The…
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Genro Kashiwa's father was interned, due to his stature in the Japanese community (as a Buddhist Priest and Japanese language school teacher), and taken to the Mainland. Genro describes his experience during basic…
Enoch Kanaya reflects on his time in combat and his squad members.
He said their confidence in each other helped them do their jobs well and they trusted each other.
After the war ended, Enoch was assigned to guard the Prisoners of War (POWs)…
After the President of the United States signed Executive Order 9066, Enoch Kanaya and his family evacuated to the Portland Assembly Center. The Portland Assembly Center was a place where horses lived. Enoch describes the living conditions of the…
Kamiya discusses his experience being an army runner and radio man until he got injured and had to be reassigned; and how his two brothers also got drafted in the war. He also discusses the impact of Japanese American soldiers becoming commanding…
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…
In Berlin, Shigeo Iwamasa is assigned to be a driver. He describes the experience driving through the bombed cities in Germany. In Koblenz, there is a distinctive smell due to the dead bodies under the building rubbles. The bombed cities in Germany…
Yoroku's family has feelings of loyalty and patriotism to America. For the nation and the country, Yoroku volunteers for the Army. Yoroku is stationed at Schofield Barracks for a short time before leaving for the mainland for basic training at Camp…
Ishihara discusses arriving in Italy and traveling to Naples, what it was like being a part of an artillery battery, his assignments picking up water and rations, and experiencing enemy fire while in a bivouac area. He then talks about his…
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…
Inouye discusses receiving a promotion that he did not not want. He details about having an issue with a commanding officer. Inouye also discusses his combat experiences in Italy.
Ikeda discusses his journey to Camp Shelby and his experiences while there. He details about the voyage overseas and about the short time he spent in Africa. Ikeda also discusses about his experiences in the European Theatre.
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.…
Iguchi discusses about his experiences as a medic and being wounded. He details about the events after The Gothic Line. Iguchi also discusses about his best and worst experiences in the war and reflects on his military service.
Huberth discusses 141st Infantry Regiment. He details about the Lost Battalion rescue. Huberth also discusses about the living conditions during combat.
Hirasaki discusses his experiences in Europe during World War 2. He talks about the military jobs he had: his duties as laying wire for the 522nd and being part of a MP unit. He also shares recollections of close calls he endured and handling…
Higgins discusses about his experiences in the military. He details about his experiences in the European Theater. Higgins also discusses about the time he was a prisoner of war.
Hayashi discusses the voyage to Europe and food. He details about R&R, friends, and reunions. Hayashi also discusses about holding a position in a European town and the most useful equipment. He also discusses the voyage home and moving back to…
Hayashi discusses his early life in California, being drafted into the Army, and the reaction to Pearl Harbor. He details about his time at Camp Shelby and Fort Sheridan. Hayashi also discusses his voyage across the Atlantic and and his early…
Gustafson discusses Anzio Beach, first combat and casualties. He also recalls the Gothic Line, Bruyeres, and the Lost Battalion. Gustafson also discusses about getting injured and trench feet.
Goto provides an overview of a headquarters company and all the various platoons that it is made up of. He describes his duties within the headquarters platoon, including following the battalion's executive officer. He also talks about what he…
Goto begins by talking about working as a medical supply clerk and veteran service counselor; and then discusses volunteering for the Army and going to Camp Shelby for basic training. Goto talks about the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian…
Fukasawa discusses living off the land and surviving off the rations. In the rations there are meat, eggs, can vegetates, rice and bread. The Caucasian soldiers did not want the rice, therefore he is able to have a good amount of rice to eat. In…
Peter Fukasawa discusses his happiest moment at Camp Shelby. On September 3, 1943 gets married. Fukasawa previously knows his wife due to their parents' friendship.
On the ship going overseas, Fukasawa has KP duty. He recalls the soldiers are…
Fujimoto discusses about being drafted, Pearl Harbor, and the aftermath. He discusses about his military training and being transferred to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Fujimoto also discusses about his experiences in Europe.
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…
Foote discusses about Pearl Harbor and his early military experiences. He details about going overseas, being assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and his experiences in them. Foote also discusses about the realities of war, communication,…
Mr. Estes describes his life growing up in rural Georgia and his decision to join the military following the Pearl Harbor attack. Assigned as a mortarman, Estes moved up the ranks eventually becoming platoon sergeant. Estes was part of the Lost…
Doiwchi discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, and going to Japan with a Christian church group in 1936. He then talks about going to Camp Shelby for basic training and being a part of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; and discusses the food he…
Michael Doi was born on May 25, 1920, in Camarillo, CA. Later the family moved to Oxnard, CA, when Michael was five years old. On December 7, Michael went to Los Angeles to watch a movie, and news of Pearl Harbor was announced. During this time,…
When Jimmy Doi was classified as an enemy alien, he found a job working at a defense plant. Then his status changed to 1A, he was sent to Camp Blanding. A few weeks later, Jimmy’s brother, Michael Doi, left Camp Blanding to go overseas.
During wartime, Paul Takao Bannai receives correspondence from family and people he meets. Letters from his family wanting him to return home safely and reunite with the family. There are letters from his Army friends in Australia acknowledging his…
During Paul Takao Bannai's school years in Utah, and Colorado there are no Japanese American students. Paul's friends are mainly white. When he moves to Los Angeles, CA, his friends are more diverse, and he meets other Japanese Americans. Paul…
Atagi discusses signing up for the Air Force and going to Biloxi for basic training, attending technical school for mechanics training, and his experiences being confined in barracks due to being Japanese. He then talks about going to Camp Shelby and…
Tetsuo Asato was 19 years old when he went overseas. He recalls the weight of carrying his weapons. The heaviness of the weapons did not become too strenuous on Tetsuo until he was trying to climb the mountain. Tetsuo recalls being a litter-bearer…
Before going overseas, Tetsuo Asato went on furlough and visited his sister in California. Tetsuo departed on the Aquitania. Although the voyage was rough, Tetsuo did not get seasick. He landed in Glasgow, Scotland, and traveled to South Hampton to…
Asahina discusses his experiences in Holland, receiving the Silver Star, and treating wounded soldiers. He details about the Battle of the Bulge. Asahina also discusses about the events after the Battle of the Bulge and the end of the war.
Asahina discusses applying for medical school, finding an internship, and knowledge of what was happening to the West Coast Japanese Americans. He details more about medical officers training, experiences with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and…
Arisumi describes the European Campaigns he was involved in, the Rescue of the Lost Battalion, 232nd Combat Engineer Company, and the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients he knew. He also remembers the end of the war in Italy, no celebration…
Archilla discusses providing supplies via aircraft to The Lost Battalion and some of his other experiences in Europe. He details the awards he received and his accident reports. Archilla also discusses about his post-military life, family, and…
Archilla discusses his childhood in Puerto Rico and New York. He details about his family and Pearl Harbor. Archilla also discusses about enlisting into service, basic training, and his pilot combat missions in Europe
