There are four members in Gary's family since his mother remarries. Gary describes the barrack structure and living conditions. Gary says it is easy to make friends at camp but going to different mess halls to eat. The structure of the mess halls at the assembly center changes the family dynamic doing meal times. Before camp, Japanese American families would eat together. Now the children look for their peers to eat with them. In addition, the parents are finding jobs in camp to earn extra money.

After a few months at Stockton Assembly Center, Gary and his family go to Rohwer, AK. The trip takes four days, and there are no showers amenities. In Rohwer, there are approximately 9,500 Japanese Americans. Gary says they arrive at Rohwer in October and the Issei parents organize a schooling system for the children.

Gary is a junior in high school, and there are approximately 170 students. He meets different peers from Washington and various parts of California. Before the war, Gary recalls his mother telling him that he is born and raised in the United States. America is his homeland. His mother also instills in him the attitude of shikata ga nai and do not make waves.]]>
Shiota, Henry Gary: narrator]]> Kawata, Ian: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

In January of 1932, Gary's mother takes the children to Japan to plan their future arrangements with the family elders. Gary describes Japanese customs and how some of his siblings were raised in Japan by relatives. Gary and his older brother return to the United States and grows up in Lodi, CA, a farming community.

Gary discusses his school years from elementary school to high school. In his free time, he likes playing baseball and watching movies. On Sundays, Gary attends Buddhist Church and Sunday School.

When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Gary recalls the aftermath of the evacuation. As an American citizen, he never imagined he would be evacuated to camp. ]]>
Shiota, Henry Gary: narrator]]> Kawata, Ian: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

When Japan surrendered, George was assigned to the occupation Army. His duty in Japan was to assign local laborers to various jobs. The laborers would show up for work, and George gave assignments to any available workers.

Before returning home to the States, George visited his parents' relatives in Nagano, Japan. He recalls they did not have much to talk about because there was not much of a family tie or closeness. After returning to the United States, George did not stay connected with his relatives.

After George’s service in Japan, he first went to St. Paul to see his wife-to-be and then to Chicago to see his parents. He was discharged in May and got married to Esther in August. George had a long career in the Civil Service and worked for the Government in the accounting department until he retired.

George and Esther have a daughter, Nami, and a son, John. John has two children, Kay, and John. George's message for his grandchildren is to be happy and save money. Through all of his journey in life, George said he is overall satisfied with life.
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Suzuki, George: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

When George landed in Japan, he described the destruction of the country. George saw the locals living in makeshift shacks and children asking for handouts. George was stationed in Yokohama and assigned to a labor pool group. His task was to assign local laborers to specific jobs. Besides working in Yokohama, George also worked in Kyoto for a month.

Before shipping home to the United States, George went with his cousin to visit his parents' siblings in Nagano for a few days. George returned home to his wife Esther and visited George Yamaguchi’s mother and sister in Chicago.

George felt there was some good from the occupation for Japan to rebuild. The Niseis were essential during the occupation of Japan because they knew the Japanese language and customs. The Niseis help build the bridge to communicate with the natives.
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Suzuki, George: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

Ray attended Coronado High School and got good grades. He credits his education in Japan for doing well in high school. In addition to Ray's academic studies, he was elected student body treasurer and ran track. Ray was popular with his peers and had many friends.

On December 7, 1941, Ray's life changed when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Many of Ray's friends treated him differently at school, and Ray was forcibly removed to Santa Anita Assembly Center and then to Poston, AZ.

Ray relocated alone because his father was in Crystal City, Texas, and his older brother volunteered for the Army in 1942. Life in the camp was tough, and Ray had to care for himself.

Ray graduated from high school in the camp and left Poston to work in Chicago, IL. Soon after, he found a better job working as a bookkeeper. Ray saved enough money to attend the University of Minnesota, and when his finances ran low, he volunteered for the Army.

Ray started his career as an auditor working in Japan at the Civil Censorship Detachment (CCD) during the occupation. Next, he was a translator in Tokyo civil service and Okinawa civil service. Ray's second time in Japan was with the Air Force Audit Agency and working around Asia. When Ray retired, Northrop offered him a job and traveled to Korea, Saudi Arabia, and various states in the United States for auditing.

In Ray's retirement years, he enjoys playing golf and going on cruises. Ray has been married to the love of his life for 57 years and has three children and three grandchildren. Ray hopes his grandchildren have a good education and a job they enjoy. For the future of America, he hopes there are no more wars.]]>
Mayeda, Ray: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>

After, Ray went to Okinawa to work for the Civil and Information Department in the military government. He was promoted to Visual Presentation Information Specialist. Ray had many Okinawan people working with him to spread propaganda about democracy in Okinawa. Ray screened movies and documentaries around different towns in Okinawa. Afterward, Ray started renting out regular American films, and his job was to control that.

When Ray did not have work, he found time to visit friends and his siblings. Ray has not seen his sisters and younger brother for 11 years. He reunited with his sisters and brother in Kagoshima and helped them come back to the United States. One of Ray's sisters got married there. After the war, Ray's father returned to Japan.

After serving his time in the occupation, Ray was discharged from the Army and censored telegrams in Osaka. Ray met his wife. His wife was working for the CCD in Tokyo and kept in touch. In March 1950, Ray worked in Okinawa and later returned to Tokyo in October 1951 and married his wife in June 1952.

By 1952, Ray was in Japan for five years, and he returned to the United States with his wife. Ray continued his education at the University of Minnesota, majoring in accounting. He later worked for a CPA firm, and then the Air Force Audit Agency hired him. Later Ray and his family moved to Japan, and Ray audited contracts in various places in Asia.


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Mayeda, Ray: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>

Before going overseas, Henry visits his family in Amache and has a bad experience. He describes the living conditions and treatment. Also, Henry gets married to his wife in Chicago.

In Italy, Henry is in the last push. He describes his time in the European Theater and the learning of Joe's death. Chiye Hayashi Watanabe and Seiichi Nakawatase also discuss learning about Joe's death. Joe Hayashi is awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguish Service Medal, and Medal of Honor for his service in World War Two.
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Watanabe, Chiye: narrator]]> Hayashi, Henry: narrator]]> Nakawatase, Seiichi: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

James' father, Bukichi, was the boss of the family and a respected leader in the Troutdale Gresham Community. James' mother, Yoshino, was a hardworking and dedicated mother to ten children. She made sure the children respected and listened to their father.

James discusses the hierarchy in their family. Besides James' mother caring for the children, James' sisters took care of them too. James recalls his first childhood home was small, but later they moved to a bigger house on a farm.

All the children attended English school and Japanese school. James and his siblings were born with Japanese names. However, they received English names from their teachers because they could not pronounce their Japanese.

Growing up in the Troutdale area, the Japanese American community was close-knit and active. The Buddhist temple was a gathering place for church services and social gatherings. At least once a month, there was a social event for the community.
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Fujii, James: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

Ko discusses the media reports following days after the Pearl Harbor attack. He says the media exaggerated the news to instill fear. However, Ko and his family continue with daily life as normal. The customers at Ko's parents' produce market show sympathy and concern towards the Sameshima family. Ko says there are no signs of discrimination.

When Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) is announced, Ko's parents and himself have separate struggles they face. Ko's parents go to Amache, Colorado, and Ko tries to transfer to a University on the East Coast. On the East Coast, Ko witnesses segregation and shares his sentiments.

Ko graduates from the University of Texas and is reclassified from 4C to 1A. Before being drafted for service, Ko volunteers to be an internee at Amache, to care for his parents. Ko recalls his experience at Camp Snelling and Military Intelligence Language School.

In 1945, the war ends, and Ko is commissioned to go to Manila, Philippines, for war crime trials and then to Tokyo, Japan, for occupation. Ko's parents leave Amache and move to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ]]>
Sameshima, Ko Stanley: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

In the Pacific, there were cases of Japanese soldiers impersonating Nisei soldiers. Therefore, remembering the password is vital. Eddy also discussed acts of heroism in the Pacific. He recalls a Kibei on the frontline rescuing a Japanese soldier.

At the end of the war, Eddy processed the prisoners and civilians at the POW Camp. He shares the difficult part of being an MIS. After the Pacific Theater, Eddy goes to occupation Japan.

Going to Japan post-war, Eddy sees the destruction of the cities and the suffering of the locals. Prewar, you associate the Japanese people and the country with beauty. However, that has changed because of the devastation. Eddy was assigned to Sugamo Prison and the Zama Replacement Depot.
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Kurushima, Masato Eddy: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

John recalls his team member, Jim Teshima, and their family relationship. After one year in the Philippines, John returned to the United States. John was discharged in 1946, and at the end of his military career, he was a T4 (Buck Sergeant). John mentions the ranking difference between the hakujins and nihonjins in the military.

Three months later, he worked for the Federal government. He worked for the VA for five years at Fort Snelling and later transferred to the IRS. Besides working, John continued his education and completed his degree.

John is married and has four children and six grandchildren.]]>
Takekawa, John: narrator]]> Yamagami, Don: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Community activities]]> Identity and values]]> Social activities]]> Saito, Joe: narrator]]> Miyamoto, Phil: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2005 February 12]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Ontario, Oregon ]]>
James has three sisters (Kay, Hana, and Tomi), and the Kobayashi family lives above the restaurant. His parents are hard-working, and James helps with the restaurant duties.

Growing up, he is on the church basketball team and does not date. He recalls what 3rd Street and San Bernardino is like during his youth. ]]>
Kobayashi, James: narrator]]> Wasserman, Steven: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>
World War II--Military service--Military Intelligence Language School]]> Education--Japanese language schools]]> World War II--Prisoners and prisons--Interrogation]]> Race--Discrimination]]> Kuwabara, Henry: narrator]]> Demonteverde, Marie: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 1999-11-14]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Los Angeles, California ]]>
Sachio discusses the relationship between the Marines and the Japanese American interpreters. Sachio was proud of the accomplishments of the Niseis during World War Two. He gave examples of the Gothic Line and the 552nd for being the fastest artillery group in Europe. Although it was discriminatory to have a segregated group of Japanese American soldiers, Sachio said he felt safer.

When Sachio was at Enewetak, a medical officer told him about the GI Bill and provided him with information on how to go to medical school. Sachio applied to Tulane and the University of Michigan and was accepted to both colleges. When Sachio was discharged, he started his medical schooling at Tulane.

Being in Turlock and Gila River, Sachio lost parts of his life. When he graduated from medical school, he was ten years older than his classmates. Sachio felt it was an achievement to get into medical school. All the aspects of his life have fallen into place. After completing his residency in Iowa, he went to work in Omaha for three months and then to Los Angeles in 1960.

Sachio got married within a year of moving to Los Angeles and had two sons. Sachio's message for future generations is to persevere. In high school, Sachio had the goal to attend medical school. Despite World War Two and moving around, Sachio accomplished his dream.

At the end of the interview, Sachio narrates a few items from his collections.
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Takata, Sachio Jack: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]>