Furumoto discusses his efforts to enlist and his experience in Military Intelligence Service Language School. He goes on to talk about his experiences in basic training at Camp Shelby.
Furumoto recalls joining Merrill's Marauders on a secret mission to Burma. He discusses his task of interpreting Japanese soldiers for information, and describes the Battle of Napunga Hill.
Peter Nakahara talks about his childhood growing up in San Pedro, California, to two Issei parents. He discusses the Japanese values imparted to him through school and family, his relationship to his parents, and his life before Pearl Harbor. This…
Peter Nakahara recalls his time training for the Military Intelligence Unit at Camp Savage, Minnesota. He also goes into details about the circumstances and whereabouts of his family while he was in training. Finally, he discusses more of his…
Sogi discusses his training and experiences as an instructor at the MIS Language School and talks about the contributions the MIS made to the American war effort. He also briefly speaks about the importance of preserving oral histories in the…
Harvey Watanabe describes how he met his wife and the family that they started together. Watanabe then transitions to discussing his outlook on war, enemies, and the necessary emotional transition to perceiving former enemies. Lastly, after giving…
In this segment, Rose Uriyu talks about her favorite writer, Ernie Pyle, and his notable journalistic work during World War II, which he is known for. She talks more about her parents and describes the type of people they were. She also talks about…
In this segment, Benjamin Hazard begins by recalling his memories of the Pearl Harbor attack and his ensuing outrage at the discrimination against his Japanese American friend, Frank, and Frank's family by locals. Hazard then discusses details of his…
In this segment, Benjamin Hazard talks about his experience in Saipan with the Military Intelligence Service. He specifically recalls the notable story involving the heroics of Sergeant Hoichi Kubo, who negotiated the release of a large number of…
In this segment, Benjamin Hazard begins by recalling his many experiences in Saipan in great detail. After that, he begins talking about going to Okinawa on assignment.
In this segment, Benjamin Hazard speaks about some of his different experiences while serving in the military in Okinawa and Korea. He also talks about some of the initial tension that he had with some Nisei soldiers before talking about his decision…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his time in Hawaii and his memories of the events leading to Pearl Harbor and war breaking out. He recalls seeing Hawaii change greatly after Pearl Harbor before talking about his own decision to…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his training to become a linguist with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). First, Okada attended MIS Language School at Camp Savage in Minnesota before receiving a two-week furlough. During that…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his experiences as a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) serving in the Pacific Theater. Specifically, Okada served in New Guinea and the Philippines. Okada also talks about meeting his…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada begins by speaking about the pumping stations that he previously worked while growing up in Hawaii. After that, he recalls seeing a friend from Hawaii while serving overseas in New Guinea. For the remainder of…
Oka, a native of Hawaii, describes witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent government and military presence in his family's home, including the monitoring of his brother's shortwave radio and the FBI's interest in his knowledge of…
Oka discusses his observations while in Occupied Japan. He details about his interactions with Japanese citizens. Oka also discusses his work with the Military Intelligence Service.
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada describes much of his life prior to the war. He first describes his awareness of the tensions between countries that eventually boiled over into total war. Next, Harada recalls his family moving to Japan prior…
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada describes many of his war experiences. First, Harada recalls meeting two Navajo code talkers in New Guinea. Next, he recalls being wounded during a Kamikaze attack at Leyte and having to be evacuated to treat…
Matsuhara discusses about his experiences in the Philippines. He details about his fear of flying and his experiences in Japan. Matsuhara also discusses about his experiences with discrimination, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath.
Matsuhara discusses values, playing basketball, friends, and Japanese language. He details about meeting his wife and experiences overseas. Matushara also discusses about his experiences in Japan and the legacy of the Military Intelligence Service…
George Matsui grew up in Long Beach, CA, and his parents are farmers. George's father decided to go back to Japan when George was in junior high school. In Japan, George attended Japanese Grade School and learned the Japanese language. When George…
Tanaktsubo continues his discussion on moving from the main basic training camp to a segregated unit made up of all Japanese American soldiers. The team is moved to Fort Lewis then Camp Crowder, and finally to Camp Savage, doing menial military work…
After spending time at the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Tanakatsubo was sent overseas to begin interrogating in the Aleutian Islands where the Japanese were occupying some islands. It was there at the Battle of Attu…
Mayeda discusses about his experiences at Santa Anita Detention Center. He details about his experiences in Jerome Concentration Camp, getting drafted, and basic training. Mayeda also discusses about joining the the Military Intelligence Service…
Tanji discusses about forced removal and his experiences at Merced Temporary Dentition. He details about his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. Tanji also discusses about volunteering for the Army, joining the Military Intelligence…
Tanji discusses about his duties in Washington D.C.. He details about his post-war life in California. Tanji also talks about his first wife, second wife, and children.
Kishi discusses about his experiences at Merced Temporary Detention Center. He details about his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. Kishi also discusses about joining the Army, going to the Military Intelligence Service Language…
Kishi discusses about his impressions of Hawaiian soldiers. He details about his duties and experiences Japan. Kishi also discusses about coming home and his experiences with discrimination.
In this interview, Samuel Harano describes his early childhood in Hawaii and the tragic loss of his mother in a house fire. He recalls being sent to Japan where he spent his school years rebelling against an increasingly militaristic culture. Upon…
Fujimori discusses what happen after basic training. He details his experiences at Fort Snelling. Fujimori also discusses the time he spent in the Philippines.
Fujimori discusses more about his time in the Philippines. He details about his duties while stationed in Japan. Fujimori also discusses his road to being discharged.
Fujimori reflects on being sent to American Concentration Camps and his experiences in the military. He details about the role MIS played during the war. Fujimori also discusses veteran organizations and gives a message to future generations.
Hirose discusses he childhood and family. He details about his experiences with forced removal and incarceration camps. Hirose also discusses about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
Hirose discusses more about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about facing discrimination and starting a business in Japan. Hirose also discusses his family and Japanese culture.
Ohama defines "evacuation" and discusses his thoughts and feelings regarding forced removal. He then describes barbed wire; talks about leaving his belongings behind; discusses the reasons why his family sold their farm; and talks about traveling to…
Hamashige begins the interview speaking about his background growing up in Laie in Hawaii, including his childhood home and foods. Next, he talks about the background of his mother and father, who both came to Hawaii from the Yamaguchi prefecture in…
As reading interested Hamashige, he began reading a lot about the racism throughout the United States government which led to a deeper understanding of the modernization of Japan, which eventually turned to the attacks on Pearl Harbor. He speaks…
Ota discusses lessons he learned from his family and values to pass on to future generations, and talks about the Japanese American community past vs. present. Lastly, Ota describes and shows pictures taken at Fort Snelling, the NYK Building in…
Sakaji talks about his friendship with a sheriff prior to forced removal; discusses restrictions and the curfew that was enforced after the attack on Pearl Harbor; and discusses volunteering for the Army and his brother's military service. He then…
Sachio Takata recollects his time at basic training at Camp Blanding training to be a replacement for the 442nd. He made a few friends in the Army. However, if you were not in the same company or platoon, it was harder to build a relationship. Sachio…
Mori continues his recollection of his basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and the preparation for the war. After that, he was sent back to Fort Snelling before being shipped out, and at that time also got married. Next, he would be shipped…
Mori recalls a time when he was watching television with his children and saw himself on a Walter Cronkite special. Next, he gives a message for future generations, which includes enduring and persevering in everyday life. After this, he talks about…
Saisho begins the interview speaking about his family background and how his father came over to the United States to attend school, and found his mother while working on a farm. He would grow up in various places in California until the attacks on…
Saisho speaks about his brothers that also served in the Army. Next, he speaks about the different things he did for the Army when in occupied Japan, including translating negotiations for a hotel that was being built near Sendai. After this, he was…
Ikeguchi talks about his experiences at Camp Robinson, his Signal Corps assignment, and his assignment at Camp Carson as a shipping clerk in Quartermaster Corps. He then talks about his promotion in rank; discusses going to Military Intelligence…
Shintaku discusses his children, racism, and how time has change with the notion of Japanese culture and products. Shintaku witnesses racism in Denver and goes to Philadelphia. Shintaku's status of 4C is now change to 1A to join the army. He is in…
Imada discusses about his experiences in Ohio and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in basic training and at Fort Snelling. Imada also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and post-war Japan.
Imada discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his post-war life. Imada also discusses about his family and gives a message to future generations
While at the Topaz Concentration Camp, Kimura would see Army recruiting teams, looking for Japanese speakers to join the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would volunteer and pass the tests, giving him a sense of patriotism and a reason to get…
Hayashi begins the interview speaking about his family background, being born in Denver and what it was like to grow up there. As a child, he would have the chance to live in Japan and would do so for two years, learning all about the Japanese…
Endo discusses his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. He details gymnastics, being drafted, and basic training. Endo also discusses his experiences at Fort Snelling and heading Japan.
Endo discusses his experiences with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS)in post-war Japan. He details being apart of the war crime trials. Endo also discusses the work he performed in Japan after leaving the Army to work as a civilian.
Inami discusses basic training and being replacements for 442nd Regimental Combat. The European Theater ends and Inami volunteers for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Later Inami is inducted into the Counter Intelligence Corps. He describes…
Yano begins the interview talking about being born and raised in California, playing marbles and hanging out with friends and neighbors. His family would come from Hiroshima, Japan and settle in California, his father as a farm laborer and his mother…
Iwamoto discusses his nickname, his parents and the reasons why his father immigrated to the United States; his parents' employment; his parent's personalities; and working at his father's cafe. He then talks about going to church, attending school,…
Masuda discusses about being drafted and basic training. He details about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and experiences in Japan. Masuda also discusses about his family and career.
Takabayashi talks about his assignments while he was in the G-2 unit. He describes his first combat experience. He discusses his first interrogation of a prisoner of war. He shares his other memories of his interrogation work. Takabayashi talks about…
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.…
Tanaka discusses learning about the American Concentration Camps on the Mainland. When he is at Camp Shelby, he visits Jerome Concentration Camp. Tanaka is shocked at the living conditions.
Going from Camp Shelby to Camp Savage, Tanaka recalls the…
Tanaka discusses taking a furlough to Sydney before going to the Philippines. Tanaka is diagnosis with tuberculosis. He then is sent back to the mainland to Denver for treatment and then back to Hawaii for discharge.
Tanaka discusses his post-war employment. His work is mainly in corporate and property law. In 1982 , he is appointed to Intermediate Member of Court of Appeals. Tanaka recalls the highlight of his career is being appointed a judge,
Toke Yonekawa enjoys his marriage before going into the army having volunteered for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He enjoys basic training, but the schooling is very difficult especially learning Japanese. Towards the end of the war he is…
Toke Yonekawa holds no bitterness about his incarceration because he found his wife and made a life following the consequences of the incarceration. He describes the successes of his children and grandchildren. He also felt privileged to serve in the…
Muramatsu discusses about his experiences on the Mainland, at Camp Shelby, and maneuvers. He details about the 100th Club, being assigned to and experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Muramatsu also discusses about his post-war life.…
Tsuneishi discusses discrimination and civil rights. After high school he goes to University of California Los Angeles and major in Political Science and minor in English. Then he transfers University of Berkley for Asian Studies in 1941 when the…
Tsuneishi discusses the Okinawa Campaign. When landing on the beach, he comes across his first casualty. His duty for this campaign is to translate and he recalls the documents capture. When the war ends, Tsuneishi goes to Korea for occupation and…
Tsuneishi discusses his sister Florence in Japan and his other sister Frances works for the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS). Tsuneishi recalls the ranking of the Military Intelligence Service and his promotion. The emotional impact…
Tsuneishi discusses Bronze Star for Valor, good conduct medal and Japanese American organizations. Tsuneishi feels it is important to share the stories of Nisei who serves in the war. He reflects back on Japanese language school and how his career…
Murakami discusses going to Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility and the living conditions. He shares his thought on how the camp experience is different from Nisei to Issei. When Murakami goes to Rochester for seminary school, he contributes…
Murakami discusses basic training and Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He goes overseas and describes the environment and climate of Japan after the bombing. During occupation, Murakami's duties deal with translation,…
Yamanaka talks about getting wounded during combat in the Vosges Forest, discusses visiting Bruyeres fifty years after the war ended, talks about his war experiences while overseas, and recalls a story regarding a friend and an Italian civilian. He…
Takao discusses going to Camp Savage, Camp Anza, and going overseas to India. He shares the experience on the ship of 3,000 servicemen and entertaining the troops and ship crew. Takao experiences cultural shock when landing in India. At New Delhi, he…
Takao discusses the sentiment of Japanese soldiers from the eyes of a Burmese boy. During the Chinese Burma Theater, Takao translates the Japanese soldiers diary and there are numerous mention of comfort women. Takao participates in propaganda,…
Takao discusses returning home and faces prejudice when trying to apply for a job. Takao goes to the University of Hawaii and becomes active in politics. Daniel Inouye influences Takao and a few others to go to law school. Takao discusses his 26…
Kono reads a poem he wrote and sent to his niece while overseas; discusses his experiences going to New York during rest and relaxation (R&R); and talks about his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) assignment after training. He then talks about…
Kono discusses his experiences cave-flushing which involved talking Japanese civilians and soldiers out of caves. He then talks about his assignment in occupied Japan; getting discharged; and his experiences interrogating Japanese POWs. Next, Kono…
Isonaga discusses the Varsity Victory Volunteers, joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, traveling to the mainland, and basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about the relationship between Hawaiian and mainland soldiers, discusses his…
Yukimura discusses Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details about being in the Hawaii Territorial Guard and being discharged from the guard. Yukimura also discusses how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed and he joined the Army. He also details…
Yukimura discusses about his duties in Australia, New Guinea, and Manila. He details about his experiences in Japan during the Allied Occupation of Japan. Yukimura also discusses about being present for the Official Surrender of Japan on the USS…
Hashisaka begins the interview talking about his life, growing up on Kauai and moving to Honolulu and attending McKinley High School. He then talks about his family background, his parents came from Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and would settle in…
Hashisaka would work at the post office as clerk until he volunteered for the Army as part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would first head to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu before being sent out on a victory ship to California, where…
Hashisaka talks about his assignment in the Philippines with the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, capturing documents and translating them. He talks about one of the diaries that he has and the contents of it. He also talks about the…
Hashisaka discusses his family background, including his children and grandchildren and their involvement in the oral history program and continuing the history of the Japanese Americans. Next, he discusses telling his own personal story to his…
Shigeru Inouye recollects the events that lead to his injury in the battle at Cassino, Italy. He goes to the 36th General Hospital in Italy and is in the hospital for two weeks. Later, he is transferred to an Evacuation Hospital and returns to the…
Sumida discusses attending high school; talks about Japanese values he learned from his parents; and describes the term, "Yamato-damashii". He then talks about how Japanese values helped him while in combat; and discusses the experiences of soldiers…
Yokoyama discusses about being bugler and music. He details about joining and his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Yokoyama discusses about the atomic bombings.
Yokoyama discusses about fields commissions, rank, and war crime trials. He details about his experiences in the Philippines as a part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Yokoyama also discusses about New Guinea and airplanes.
Yokoyama discusses about his experiences New Guinea and getting Malaria. He details about the Yagi antenna. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines.
Yokoyama discusses about his experiences in the Philippines. He details about his experiences in post-war Japan. Yokoyama also discusses about his experiences in Manchuria.
Aizawa discusses being drafted and his experiences in Korea as a part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service. Aizawa also discusses about the legacy of Nisei soldiers, goals,…
Nakao discusses his relationship with his assigned bodyguard, Harold Peterson. He also talks exploring underground caves while on Kiska Island, living in Alaska as a translator, and recalls how he met his wife and got married in Salt Lake City. …
Umeda talks more about the Gila River Concentration Camp and the living conditions in Arizona, surrounded by barbed wire but being able to go outside of the camp occasionally. He would end up leaving the camp and working at a cannery and living in a…
Umeda continues to talk about his language training at Fort Snelling with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), talking about the living conditions of the barracks and being classified as a translator. After this, he would be sent overseas, first…
Toyoda discusses how he met his wife and getting married. He detail about how Nisei soldiers were treated and being assigned to New Caledonia. Toyoda also discusses about his experiences interrogating Japanese Prisoners of War (POW).
Toyoda discusses his experiences in Bougainville. He details about his arrival in the Philippines, interaction with American prisoners of war. Toyoda also discusses General Beightler and the 37th Division.
