Koga discusses being in the reserves before the start of World World War II and about his family. He details about the formation the 100th Infantry Battalion and Pearl Harbor. Koga also discusses about his experiences in Camp McCoy, Italy, and…
Mr. Yamane discusses his time at Waseda University, which included military training, before returning home to Hawaii. Mr. Yamane next describes the Selective Service draft and being drafted to the Army a short time before the attack on Pearl Harbor.…
Ishikawa discusses the treatment of Japanese Americans. He overviews the jobs he had in Hawaii and in the army. Ishikawa also discusses the furloughs he took and is health.
Ishikawa discusses his family and what it was like growing up on a ranch. He details about his educational experiences and Pearl Harbor. Ishikawa also discusses experiences with training and his early time in Italy.
Ohta discusses his family, childhood, and growing on a plantation. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Ohta also discusses answering the call for volunteers, experiences at Camp Shelby, and early Italy.
Tanaka discusses some of the photographs he took and his experiences in post-war Germany. He details his family and working for Maui News. Tanaka also discusses about the legacy and impact Nisei Veterans had.
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.
Mizuki discusses his family and growing up on Kahului. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Mizuki also discusses volunteering and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He also details about his combat experiences and captured as a Prisoner of…
Takahashi discusses his family and what it was like growing up in Maui. He details about his educational experiences, Pearl Harbor and the its aftermath. Takahashi also discusses volunteering for the service and the events following.
Matsumoto discusses his family and childhood growing up in Maui. He details about social activities and childhood activities he participated in. Matsumoto also discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it.
Ikeda discusses his journey back home. He details about his career after being discharged from the army. Ikeda also discusses about his life after retirement and the legacy of Nisei veterans.
Ikeda discusses his family and his childhood in Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. Ikeda also discusses about enlisting into the service.
Ogawa discusses what it was like being wounded and his time in Italy after the war had ended. He details about his homecoming experiences and what it was like being back in Hawaii. Ogawa also discussess his life and career after the army.
Ogawa discusses his family and his father's tofu business. He details about his education experiences, Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Ogawa also discusses joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and his experiences at Camp Shelby.
Nishihara discusses what it was like growing up in Maui. He details about joining the Hawaiian National Guard and his experiences while in the National Guard. Nishihara also discusses the journey to becoming the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Miyagawa discusses what it was like growing up in Spreckelsville. He gives details about being drafted and the affects of Pearl Harbor. Miyagawa also discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby.
Arisumi describes his family history and father's employment, his mother and their childhood home, as well as his siblings, school, and employment. He also remembers building the temporary rails for the plantation, school activities he did with his…
Tanigawa discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. He details about what he did during the occupation of Japan. Tanigawa also discusses about his time after he leaves the army.
In this first interview with Senator Daniel Akaka, Mr. Akaka discusses his family background, childhood, and what his life was like growing up in Hawaii. Senator Akaka describes the day of the Pearl Harbor attack, what news he heard about the…
In this oral history interview, Raymond Aka talks about his early childhood in Hawaii and his subsequent move to Okinawa and attending school in Japan. After returning to America, Aka describes his time in high school, working in California, and his…
Mr. Saiki discusses how his family came to the United States and his early life growing up in Stockton, California. His parents first worked in Hawaii before coming to California and working on a farm in the Sacramento Delta. Eventually the family…
Seiki Tamae gives a broad introduction from being drafted in 1945, the Occupation of Japan and time in South Korea, to his post war life to retirement. Seiki then discusses his family and time in Hawaii, their decision to return to Okinawa in 1940,…
Tom Shigetoki Umeda was born on August 25, 1916, in Los Angeles, CA. Tom's parents met through an arranged marriage in Japan. Previously, Tom's father worked on a farm in Hiroshima, Japan. After moving to the United States, he started a fruit stand…
In the first part of Herbert Yanamura's interview, he talks about growing up as a Nisei in the farming community of Kona, Hawaii, his father's emphasis on learning the Japanese language, and his pre-war life. Yanamura also recounts the bombing of…
Shigenobu Tanaka shares his recollections of his parents, his life growing up on the sugar plantations of Hawaii, school, and his job working as the inventory manager at the Pahala Sugar plantation. He recalls being drafted and going through basic…
Araki continues his recollection of his time after being drafted into the Army and having an assignment in Hawaii, guarding Italian prisoners of war. Next, he discusses the Japanese language and the importance of the characters that are used. 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…
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…
Uesato begins the interview speaking about his family background, including his mother and father. Next, he talks about keeping up with the wars overseas and how unexpected the attacks on Pearl Harbor were. Living in Hawaii at the time, they were…
Roy Kouke describes his childhood in Hawaii, the bombing of Pearl Harbor during his high school years, and volunteering for the labor corps. He goes into his work for the USED motor pool, draft deferment, finally being drafted and receiving basic…
Mr. Kobashigawa introduces himself and talks about his family and childhood. He grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii, his father worked as a truck farmer, and Mr. Kobashigawa played baseball throughout his youth. Forced to drop out of school at a…
Urata begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Japan, Korea and Hawaii. As his father died when he was just 1, Urata would move to Japan for a short amount of time before moving to Seoul, South Korea to live with…
Following 20 years of service in the US Army, Muranaka gets his retirement orders and begins college at the University of Puget Sound. After working with alcoholics working for the State of Washington, he received a call from the University of…
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…
Muranaka discusses both his father and mother's backgrounds and the influence that they had on his life even as young boy. Though living in poverty, his father was able to buy him an encyclopedia and type writer to instill in him the importance of…
Muranaka begins the interview discussing his time in occupied Japan, working with Japanese officials to ease communications between the Japanese government and the United States government, which in the end netted him a gift from the Emperor of…
Kenneth is joined by his wife for the last part of the interview. They discuss their family, which even includes a great grandchild. They also talk about the Amache concentration camp in Colorado and knowledge of the 442nd Regiment within the camps.…
Takehara begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Maui. During his childhood, he would attend school and Japanese language school, where he would learn kendo and judo. He would attend high school in Maui and then…
Higashino and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his parents. He describes what it was like to grow up in a household with three generations of family. He discusses his educational background. He shares his knowledge of Japanese.…
Oishi begins the interview with his family background and moving to Hawaii from Hiroshima. He would grow up in Kona, Hawaii working at the family farm and then for his aunt at her grocery store, all while attending school and Japanese language…
Ikemori talks about his early life in Hawaii. He describes his family's move to Japan. He briefly discusses his education in Japan. He talks about teaching Japanese language school in Hawaii. He discusses the languages spoken in his childhood home.…
Jumpei "Jumpy" Mine is born on August 4, 1920, in Montebello, CA. Jumpei's father is a hard-working man. Jumpei's mother, Jen Mine, passes away early.
Jumpei grows up in Montebello and helps his father with farming. Jumpei's favorite sport is…
Kenichi "Ken" Nakagawa shares his family's history, his recollection of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and martial law conditions, particularly for Americans of Japanese descent, on Hawaii after the attack. He also goes into volunteering for the Kiawa…
At Fort Snelling, Frank Hiratsuka works in the postal section processing incoming mail. On his weekends off, sometimes Frank flies home to visit his parents. Frank is later assigned to go to Schofield in Honolulu, HI.
Theodore "Ted" Mitsumori describes his family life growing up in Hawaii and his eventual employment driving a taxi in the Pearl Harbor area. Mitsumori shares his first-hand experience of the bombing of Pearl Harbor while ferrying civilians, women,…
Iwatake discusses his early life of growing up in Hawaii, before moving to Japan. He details the events that led up to his family moving to Japan and what it was like living in Japan. Iwatake also discusses being drafted into the Japanese Army.
Mr. Watanabe discusses the importance of Nisei storytelling and committing these stories to tape through oral histories. He next describes what it was like coming back to Hawaii after the war and talks about the important event of Hawaiian statehood.…
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…
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…
Ohta begins the interview with an introduction and talking shortly about his family background, his parents being from Maui. Next, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii up until the Pearl Harbor attacks. After that, he would join the…
Coolidge Wakai guarded thousands of POWs in the Po Valley when the war ended. Later, Coolidge was transferred from guarding the POWs to Headquarters Company as a cleric.
After the war, Coolidge returned to the United States. He participated in a…
Dr. Coolidge Shiro Wakai was part of the 100th Company B. He was born December 2, 1925, in Kappa, Kauai, Hawaii. Coolidge's father was a missionary for Japanese Immigrants and established the first Christian church in Kappa, Kauai. Coolidge has six…
Yamasaki begins the interview talking about how his family came from Japan to Hawaii. As his parents were born in Hawaii, he was a sansei, and would speak very little Japanese at home. His father would help to get him into a private elite school,…
John Allen Tagami discusses being a military brat and traveling around during his childhood. Tagami's Father served in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and meets the Emperor of Japan. Tagami's Mother works for Reader's Digest during the war…
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…
In the second part of his interview, Wallace Nagao details the work he did helping the British Army in Burma, his experience meeting Admiral Mountbatten, and hearing about the Japanese surrender. He also recounts his time post-surrender in…
Wallace Nagao talks about his family's history and his early life growing up on one of Hawaii's sugar plantations. Nagao goes through his educational history-- from elementary school through college and his experiences at Japanese language school. He…
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.…
Murakami discusses his part in the Gothic Line push. Once they completed that mission, he was able to head back to the United States. After arriving in New York, the regiment learned they would be flown back to California, which left them in high…
Murakami begins the interview speaking about his family background, which included 5 brothers in addition to his parents. Growing up in Paia, Maui, he and his family moved around a lot going from plantation camp to plantation camp as his father…
Kenichi and Kiyoshi Muranaga leave Amache to work on a sugar beet farm. Kenichi describes their living accommodations and their duties at the farm. Their father also has a job but he works in the mess hall at Amache.
Kenichi Muranaga is born on December 21, 1924, in Los Angeles, CA. Kenichi's father immigrates to the United States from Japan and meets Kenichi's mother in Hawaii. The two get married and move to Los Angeles, CA, before settling in Gardena, CA.…
Kimura begins the interview giving an introduction of himself and his family background. He was born on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and was raised by a man he would know as his brother, though he was actually an uncle. He speaks about his childhood…
Ishikawa discusses his family and upbringing. He details about Pearl harbor and its aftermath. Ishikawa also discusses about volunteering for service and his brief experiences with Japanese Prisoners of War.
Before going overseas, the three Morishita brothers, Kenzo, Leo, and Yutaka receives a good luck charm from their mother. After his tour, Leo receives a ribbon for being in the European Theater and a good conduct medal for his service. At the end of…
In May 1984, Shigeo retires from Northrop Grumman and returns to Hawaii to live with his sister. Shigeo is grateful for those who have shown him gratitude for his service, especially his doctors. He shares his experience of appreciation with the…
Janet Brown Hardwick and Susan Hardwick come from a family of men who serves their country. Their great-grandfather serves in the Civil War, and their father, Bill Hardwick, is part of the 36th Infantry Regiment during World War Two. Following their…
Yukio Okutsu describes growing up in his village and learning about Japanese history and values. He also talks about changes following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Katayama discusses his youth in Hawaii. He talks about his parents backgrounds; Nisei mother, Issei father. He talks about his childhood with extended relatives after his mother died. He also discusses some of social aspects of his youth in Hawaii:…
Fujimoto talks about memorable childhood experiences such as taking a trolley car in Waikiki, and going on a trip to Molokai with the Boy Scouts. He then talks about his experiences prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as his experiences…
Fujimoto discusses his father and his employment; talks about import businesses in Hawaii; and discusses the reasons why his father immigrated to Hawaii. He then talks about his mother, languages spoken at home, and tells a story regarding how he got…
Hirayama discusses about his childhood and schooling. He details about food, building a canoe, and growing in Hawaii. Hirayama also discusses about his career, being self-driven, and Sparky Matsunaga.
While recovering from his wound, Tsuji would be given a 45 day furlough, in which he originally wanted to go back home to Hawaii, however, after talking with officers, he decided upon traveling and seeing Chicago and New York and when he returned, he…
Tsuji begins by talking about the New Years traditional film he would watch portraying the 47 Ronin. Next, he begins an in depth recollection of Pearl Harbor, from listening in on the radio to seeing the fire ball and smoke from a distance. He…
Tsuji discusses about his childhood in Honolulu, recalling the New Years celebrations, the population of his schools and the friends that he had. Next, he looks back at the segregation that he saw both in Hawaii and later in Mississippi while…
Tsuji discusses his family and background. He gives in depth descriptions and memories of his mother, father and 8 siblings. Next, he speaks about attending Japanese language school and the end of his classes, punctuated by the Pearl Harbor…
Seichi Sakaida serves with the 442nd in K Company. He is born July 9, 1922, in Ookala, HI. At a young age, his family moves to Molokai, and he grows up on the plantations. Seichi's parents are from Yamaguchi Kan prefecture in Japan and his mother is…
Kubota discusses his prefecture origin and his Issei parents coming to Hawaii from Japan. Kubota's Father is contact to work in Hawaii for a few months but ends up staying longer to pay off his Brother's debt. Kubota recalls his childhood and his…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their employment after graduating high school. Clarence works at a lumber mill and Robert is employed at the Hawaiian cannery. Later,…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is a Nisei veteran of K Company, 3rd Battalion 442nd, is born June 18, 1921, in Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii. His parents are Matsuki…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their experience leaving Hawaii and going to the Mainland. They arrive in Oakland, CA, and go to Mississippi.
On the train ride to…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their employment after graduating high school. Clarence works at a lumber mill and Robert is employed at the Hawaiian cannery. Later,…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is a Nisei veteran of K Company, 3rd Battalion 442nd, is born June 18, 1921, in Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii. His parents are Matsuki…
Kon discusses about life on the plantation. He details about his going to and experiences at Camp McCoy. Kon also discusses about the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion and his life in the Army.
Tsuda talks about the Po Valley campaign and where he was when he hard that the war was over. During this time, he would get hepatitis and be forced to spend a month in the hospital before being able to leave and come back to the United States. Once…
Tsuda begins the interview with a brief introduction of himself and his parents. After this, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Honolulu, living in Haleiwa on a pineapple cannery. He would enjoy attending Japanese language school and would…
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…
Fujikawa begins the interview talking about his family background and how his family moved from San Francisco down to Los Angeles with the changing of the crops. There, he would be raised as a Christian and attend Japanese language school. He talks…
Kaneshiro discusses his family, being raised by a single parent, and other aspects of his childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Kaneshiro also discusses his employment and his life during World War Two.
Sato begins the interview talking about how his parents came from Fukushima to Maui. His father would farm silk worms and work on the sugar plantation, also learning sumo and carpentry along the way. He talks quickly about his wife's parents route to…
Yoroku Ito discusses the German soldiers surrendering and the end of the war. At the end of the war, he is the Company Mail Clerk. Yoroku discusses helping the Lieutenant mail German items back to the mainland. The Lieutenant also gives Yoroku a few…
Sato discusses his familial origin and description. He grows up in a farm community and discusses the Alien land law. He recalls racism pre-war and going into an American Concentration Camp after Pearl Harbor. He soon joins the military and is…
Miyamoto continues his recollection of growing up on Hilo, where his pidgin English was heavy and his normal English was inconsistent. After graduation from high school, he and his family would move to Kalihi on Oahu. It was there that he would see…
Miyamoto begins the interview speaking about his background and his life growing up in Hilo, Hawaii. He would help his grandfather run a bathhouse and spend his free time going down to the beach to catch crabs. Next, he talks about his family…
William Yoshito Thompson is a World War Two veteran who volunteered for the 442nd (Head Quarters 2nd Battalion). He is born March 15, 1924, in Hilo, Hawaii. His father is from Scotland, Ireland, and moved to Hawaii. He remains a British subject and…
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.
Taba begins the interview talking about his family background and his parents coming over to Hawaii from Okinawa. Growing up in Hawaii, he was able to attend Japanese language school and have a close family relationship, including a handful of…
