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)…
Henry Gary Shiota is 19 years old when he is inducted into the Army. Then Gary goes to Camp Maxey, TX, with 25 other Nisei. Gary learns the war is over during his third week at basic training. After eight weeks of basic training, Gary goes to Camp…
According to Willie Tanamachi, there are two ways Japanese Americans joined the military. One way is being drafted before the war. Another way is enlisting. Willie’s brothers Goro, Saburo, Walter, and himself served in the military. Unfortunately,…
In the beginning of part 6, Mr. Yamane discusses his finding of Japanese documents that would lead to the bombing of several munitions, ammunitions, and manufacturing plants. After his initial work at the Pentagon was complete, Mr. Yamane was…
Tanaka discusses about the role and his experiences with the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. He details about his experiences in France. Tanaka also discusses about his experiences in Germany.
Mizuki discusses more about his experiences as a German Prisoner of War. He details about the political involvement of Nisei veterans. Mizuki also discusses about his post-war life.
George Oiye describes a number of pictures in his possession, including units, military equipment, unit buddies, and photographs that document the 522nd's involvement with the liberation of the subcamp of Dachau Concentration Camp.
George Oiye discusses his unit's time in the Maritime Alps and the search for and eventual destruction of a railroad gun. Next, he describes how the 522nd was sent into Germany while the 442nd returned to Italy. Lastly, he describes the liberation of…
Nishijima discusses his experiences at Granada (Amache) incarceration camp including discussing his father's job; flags; school; recreational activities such as playing baseball and watching movies; and making mochi. He then talks about his father…
Riess begins the interview speaking of the background of his mother and father and the international upbringing that he had. Being born in Thessaloniki, Greece, his family then moved around Europe and the United States until finally settling in…
Nagano discusses his high school days, which included playing basketball and being able to take a trip down to Mexico to play against a team there. He would also take part in socials and be part of a club called the golden bears. He would attend…
Tanaka discusses joining the Army, induction and basic training. He details his experiences in Europe. Tanaka also recalls his experiences in Germany and coming home.
James Fujii felt the teachers were instrumental with the move to Nyssa. The teachers protected the Japanese Americans from discrimination. In 1944, James graduated high school. He recalls spending three and a half years in Nyssa during wartime.…
Asato continues talking about his first combat while in Italy, at the Rome-Arno area. He talks about being able to see Florence from a distance and the tree bursts that could kill a soldier instantly. While there, he would get sick and end up in a…
Nakamura describes his assignments towards the end of World War Two. He talks about his journey home. He briefly discusses how he reconnected with his family. He talks about his employment after the war. He describes his children and grandchildren.…
Tamayose discusses about his family, growing up on plantations, his life after high school. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Tamayose also discusses about volunteering for the service, basic training, his experiences in Europe, and…
Tokunaga discusses the labor camps that he saw in Europe, taking souvenirs and the friendships he made through the Army. After V-E Day, he would remain in Frankfurt for another year and half until finally being discharged back in Fort Lewis,…
After being forced removed and moved to Puyallup Temporary Detention Center, Tokunaga would head to Minidoka Concentration Camp early to help set up supplies. Soon after, he would be drafted into the Army and inducted at Fort Douglas to join the…
In the fall of 1941, before the Pearl Harbor attack, Ko Stanley Sameshima, is a student at Cal Tech University. Ko is doing well in his academic studies and is on the Varsity Cross Country Team. In Ko's spare time, he attends social school functions.…
From Fort Meade, Leo Morishita goes to Newport Dunes, Virginia, for additional training and his final medical shots. Leo boards the USS West Point and goes overseas. The voyage takes 24 days, and Leo describes the daily routine on the ship before…
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…
Shigeo Iwamasa is born November 12, 1923, in Waihee-Waiehu, Maui. Shigeo's father is an Issei from Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan, and his mother is from Hilo, Hawaii. Shigeo has five brothers and a sister.
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles.
Wartime is a heavy discussion. However, in this interview, Ray Wells and Julian Quayles talk about the lighter side of World War Two. Both men highlight areas of v-mail, homecoming, and…
Julian Quayles' interview is combined with Ray Wells.
Wartime is a heavy discussion. However, in this interview, Ray Wells and Julian Quayles talk about the lighter side of World War Two. Both men highlight areas of v-mail, homecoming, and…
Hirayama discusses his experiences with combat and the Lost Battalion. He details about the Champagne Campaign. Hirayama also discusses about his experiences in Germany and visiting Dachau.
Takayama discusses about his experiences at Fort Beivoir, visiting the Hoover Dam, and the Golden Gate Bridge. He details about going overseas and arriving in France. Takayama discusses in Germany, coming home, and post-war life.
Uyeoka discusses about his experiences in Germany. He details about his life after discharge, getting married, and his family. Uyeoka also discusses about his life after retirement.
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their duties during the Champagne Campaign. After the Champagne Campaign, Clarence is in Germany and works at a train station with the…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their duties during the Champagne Campaign. After the Champagne Campaign, Clarence is in Germany and works at a train station with the…
Kawanishi continues his recollection of his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi as he began his basic training with the 442nd Regiment. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and segregation he saw in the South, as well as a few times he got in trouble…
Westdale discusses about his experiences in Germany and his homecoming. He details about his post-war life and employment. Westdale also discusses about the legacy of Japanese American Soldiers.
Westdale discusses about camaraderie and his experiences in Germany. He details about the horrors of war, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini. Westdale also discusses about his experiences in France and in post-war Europe.
Sukeo "Skeets" Oji returned to the United States and was assigned to Engineer Section, Headquarters, 6th Army, Presidio, Monterey. In 1954, he was reassigned to Japan as the liaison officer between the Ministry of Construction and the US Army Forces…
Thomas Ukichi Wozumi discusses basic training and going to the Mainland to McCoy and Camp Shelby. Thomas changes from the regular Army to the 100th Battalion. There are differences between the Mainland soldiers and the Hawaiian soldiers. However,…
Masuda describes the trip to Europe. He talks about his assignments while in Italy. He discusses his combat experiences in Germany, including how the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. Masuda talks about the end…
Doiwchi discusses his experiences during the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp as part of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, and provides some thoughts regarding concentration and incarceration camps. He also talks about his thoughts…
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.…
Maya Miyamoto narrates photographs from the occupation of Japan. The pictures range from baseball games, family, relatives, friends, Japanese nationalist's daily life, and pets.
Maya also shares how he met his wife at Poston. His grandson,…
Tojo discusses about his non-combat experiences in Europe. He details about his experiences in Germany. Tojo also discusses about a letter and his personal philosophy.
Miho discusses his experiences in Germany and Dachau Concentration Camp. He details about what he believes is the difference between American Concentration Camps and European Concentration Camps. Miho also discusses about his post-war life.
Miho discusses about his experiences during Rescue of the Lost Battalion. He details about his experiences in Italy. Miho also discusses about his Experiences in Germany.
Kono discusses his early experiences in Italy, laying the wire, and the Arno-Rome Campaign. He details about heading and his experiences in France. Kono also discusses about his experiences in Germany and liberating Dachau Concentration Camp.
Yasukochi continues talking about seeing Dachau Concentration Camp and what it was like to interact with the prisoners of the camp. Next, he briefly talks about his ship ride back to the United States, getting discharged out of Camp Chesterfield.…
Yasukochi talks about his involvement in the Lost Battalion campaign, saving the 36th Division, that had been stranded. He talks about stuffing shells full of supplies and shooting it over to them so that they had supplies as they awaited their…
Tsuida discusses family and leaving Poston Concentration Camp to work in Chicago. He details about being drafted, basic training, and his experiences post-war.
Turner talks about the Korean War and the intervention and combat with the Chinese in Ursan, where they sustained heavy casualties along the 38th Parallel. After this, he talks about his war experiences in Vietnam, going in helicopters and…
Robinson Jr. describes tree burst. He continues to talk about his capture by German forces. He discusses his interactions with civilians. He describes his relationships with guards. He talks about the Munich Prisoner of War Camp where he was…
Matsushita talks more about his time in occupied Japan, making lots of friends there and even being there during the Korean War. After his discharge, he would begin his career in the civil service sector, working for OSHA until he retired. Following…
Abe discusses about his experiences being part the occupation force in Germany. He details about his post-war life. Able also comments about the changes in America, current events (2005), and gives a message to future generations.
Abe discusses about Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and getting kicked out. He details about some of his friends and his assignment with the Mobile Intelligence Training Unit (MITU). Abe also discusses about his experiences being part of the…
Unoura talks about his friendships with the other men in his unit. He also talks about what some of those men did after World War Two. He shares his memories of Germany, including his guard work. Unoura discuses being discharged. He describes his…
Unoura talks about traveling to Europe on the Queen Mary. He explains his role as a replacement soldier. He describes his military duties, including guarding rail yards. He explains how a soldier's last name determined what unit he was placed in.…
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.…
Takano discusses Germany's highway system; talks about traveling in Germany; and discusses the encounters he had with prisoners near Dacahu concentration camp. He then talks about the end of the war including his guard duty assignment while waiting…
Ishihara discusses what it was like seeing Hitler's underground bunker and experiencing V-E Day while in Germany, volunteering for Military Intelligence Service (MIS), returning to the United States, and getting furlough. He then talks about his…
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…
Overseas, every two months Ken's company moved to a different area.
Ken's first battle was on Mount Fogarito. In the Headquarters Platoon, Ken did various assignments. One job was to be a litter-bearer and carry the wounded soldiers off the…
Guy discusses more about his war experiences, and how he came to befriend Marty Higgins. He talks about about his combat towards the end of the war, and getting liberated. After this, he would return to the United States, where he would settle back…
Steidl discusses how his family, of Czech/German heritage, had to evacuate Czechoslovakia due to World War 2. He talks about his German father political prisoner during the war and his family background pre-World War 2. He also discusses how he…
Morisawa discusses being reclassified, being left in France after hospitalization, and his experiences in post-war Germany. He details about war campaigns he participates in and shares a few humorous experiences during war time. Morisawa credits…
After arriving in Germany, Sakamoto would begin his time with occupational forces, where he would end up going to clerical school, being a typist in Heidelberg. After this, he talks about meeting his wife, while working as a typist. They would court…
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.…
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…
Hirasaki discusses his MP duties and other military experiences. He talks about what he observed Dachau concentration camp after it was vacated. He shares other anecdotes of his time in Germany: food he ate, duties he had; general observations.
Asai discusses about his experiences with the 2nd Armored Division and receiving Medical Corps training. He details about going overseas, arriving in France, and his experiences in Europe. Asai also discusses about his experiences in Germany and…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto begins by discussing his favorite school subjects before elaborating on his interest in history, and specifically military history. He then recalls visiting Gettysburg while stationed on the East coast and how…
Ito talks about the atrocities of the Dachau Concentration Sub camp. He explains that while in Germany, he felt that the war was coming to an end, and how he had been looking forward to returning home. Upon returning home, he went back to school to…
Kawamoto tells us of the mission to cross the Arno and his experience at the Lost Battalion battle. He also discusses a deadly mine demonstration and his passes in Europe. Finally, he recounts how he got his injury, the war's end, and his homecoming…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori recalls details about his adolescence and attending trials at the local courthouse. Moreover, James recounts his educational background and his recollects on his school trip to Japan, China, and…
Akaki writes this letter to his sister about his latest excursion to Brenner Pass, stopping at different cities along the way. Some of these cities included Oberammergau, where they have the Passion Plays, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, home of the 1936…
Akaki writes that he has not had much to do since the fighting ended in Europe. He went on a trip to see Adolf Hitler’s "hideout", and went swimming for the first time since his arrived in Italy. He writes that he has been considering applying to the…
Since the war had ended in Europe, Akaki writes to his sister about the work he has been doing in the occupied military areas in Germany. His time has been spent in basic training, travels to some of Germany’s cities, and movie watching. He received…
Akaki updates his sister about his time in Germany. Since being in Germany, he has had the luxury of bathing in hot water - instead of taking cold baths using only his helmet. He mentions hearing from his younger brother, who has taken up some bad…
In this letter, Akaki apologizes for not writing as often since being in Germany. He writes about Easter Sunday, the houses they are occupying in Germany, and about the women there. He complains about eating K rations, but eating off of the land…
Akaki writes this letter to his sister from Germany. He describes the area that he is currently residing, about his bad case of sunburn on his face, and asks for an update about how everything has been at home. He writes that spring is arriving due…
Nelson Akagi recalls his thoughts on Japan and Germany leading up to the war. He also recounts his reaction to Pearl Harbor and the state of his family leading up to their evacuation from Lindsay, California. He details his journey as they head…
This interview picks up mid-story with Edward Ichiyama discussing details about his friend, Tsaneshi Naruo, as well as the eulogy of his friend, [Shimizu]. Next, Ichiyama moves on to recall his first time entering Germany and chasing the German Army…
During this part of the interview Edward Ichiyama recalls his time spent in the Army and his experiences during the war. He gives details in regards to witnessing the bombing of Pearl Harbor and his family's experience after the attack. This part of…
During this part of the interview Edward Ichiyama discusses his family's emigration to the United States, as well as his familial makeup. He also recalls specific events during his adolescence, such as spending time in his father's barbershop,…
