World War II]]> World War II--Military service]]> World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team]]> Akaki, Yuki: author ]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 1945-01-03]]> eng]]> Correspondence]]> Granada (Amache), Colorado]]>
Masato Mauch Yamashita is born on December 27, 1924, in Lodi, CA. Lloyd Katsuto Fujitani is born January 1, 1917, in Lodi, CA. Both Masato and Lloyd are with 442nd Company I. Masato, and Lloyd's parents are from Japan.

Masato and Lloyd's parents are hard-working and care for the family. They both grow up in farming communities. Masato lives in Lodi, CA and Lloyd lives in Acampo, CA. They live 20 minutes away from each other.

Although Masato is an only child, his cousins live nearby, and he has neighborhood friends to play with him. Lloyd is the oldest child in his family, and he has one brother and a sister. Growing up, Masato and Lloyd do not experience discrimination. However, when the war starts, Masato experiences racism.

At home, Masato speaks Japanese, and his parents instilled in him to be hard-working and honest. Lloyd's parents teach him to be hard-working, honest, and Christianity. Masato and Lloyd recall their school years. They both love sports. Masato plays baseball, and Lloyd plays football.

On New Year, Masato and Lloyd's family go to each other's homes to eat. Masato and Lloyd say their mother cooks very well. On occasions, Masato goes to watch movies. He recalls some of his favorite cowboy actors. ]]> Yamashita, Masato: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Tommy is the oldest of the children. He has a sister and two brothers. Tommy's first childhood home is on a farm. Growing up, he helps his father on the farm. If Tommy has free time, he hangs out with his friends and goes to the skating ring and movies.

Tommy recalls his school years and being the teachers' favorite student. Besides attending primary school, he goes to Japanese language school. After graduating high school in 1939, Tommy worked on a farm other than his family farm to earn money. Tommy also works at a home appliance store in Gardena, CA, as a delivery man.

On December 7, 1941, Tommy hears the news about Pearl Harbor while eating breakfast at his regular restaurant. He does not experience discrimination. Growing up, Tommy does not experience discrimination either. He says he feels the same as everyone since he was born and raised in the United States.

Tommy recalls the evacuation notices and preparing to go to Santa Anita Assembly Center. He describes the living conditions and feeling degraded. Tommy says there is nothing you can do but accept the situation, shikata ga nai.


]]> Mayekawa, Tommy: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Eddy says he always looks forward to the holidays. Another pastime Eddy recalls was going for car rides with his family. Eddy's father loves cars.

Living in the Imperial Valley, the Kurushima family shops at the general store and get gas for their family car. Moreover, the Kurushima family goes to town occasionally on Friday nights to watch Japanese movies. Eddy's favorite movies are samurais. Another reason the Kurushima family goes to town is to buy Japanese food.

Eddy looks forwards to the family trips into town. He explains the difference in demographics in the downtown and uptown area. Eddy interacts with other ethnicities at school, but in the country he socializes more with Asians. Eddy discusses the relationship between Salvadorians and Hispanics. Also, he recalls discrimination in elementary school.

Eddy does not share his discrimination with his parents because of "gaman." In Japanese, gaman means tolerance and perseverance. However, Eddy shares his experiences with his peers at school.

Eddy's love for art was encouraged not only by his mother but by Ms. Charles, his sixth-grade teacher. In grade school, Eddy already realized he wanted to be an artist. He discusses being Japanese American and being an artist.

In 1933, the Kurushima family went to Japan and stayed there for several years. Eddies show his drawing of himself with his siblings. Eddy feels he is not accepted in Japan or the United States because he is a foreigner in both countries.
]]> Kurushima, Masato Eddy: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Miyada, Don: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
A special event in the family is when their grandmother becomes a naturalized American citizen in the late 1950s. Janet believes their grandmother wanted to be a citizen because of Sadao.

Janice explains why her family lives in Hawaii. After Manzanar, Janice's mother finds a job in Madison, WI, as a surgical nurse. In Madison, she meets Janice's father, Albert Yokoyama, who is in the 100th Battalion. When Janice's parents get married, they move to Hawaii.

Janice recalls her mother having happy stories about Sadao except for the one about the community swimming pool. Janice explains her feelings on oral history. ]]> Nakakihara, Janet: narrator]]> Trubitt, Janice: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Thomas and his family live at Castle Estate Kindergarten, where his father works. His family maintains their Japanese values and morals at home. Besides attending primary school, Thomas attends the Japanese Language School. In his free time, his childhood activities include diving for squid, fishing, movies, and barefoot football.

After graduating high school, Thomas works at a few places before receiving his draft notice to join the Army. He describes Army life and the attack on Pearl Harbor. He also shares who are influential role models in his early upbringing. ]]> Wozumi, Thomas Ukichi: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>
Lillian's father is Tsuyoshi Inouye, and her mother is Yayoi Inouye. They have six children in the family. Lillian grows up in a neighborhood that is primarily Japanese American and Chinese. Although Lillian's family is more westernized, she recalls some Japanese traditions practiced during New Year.

Lillian's husband is John Takehisa Matsudaira. He is born November 26, 1922, in Seattle, Washington. John's father is Tokohisa Matsudaira, and his mother is Hatori Umeda Matsudaira. John's parents are from Kanazawa, Japan. They have fourteen children. John is the oldest child in the family, and there is about a 20 year age gap between the siblings.

After school, Lillian helps out at the family restaurant. She rarely has free time. Lillian also attends Japanese School for six years. The neighborhood children are her friends.

John is a loner during his school years. He has many interests and enjoys reading books. John lived in Japan for about five years and started his artwork in Japan. He returns to the United States when he is 12 years old.

Lillian recalls December 7 and evacuation. She describes the atmosphere and preparations made for camp.]]> Matsudaira, Lilian: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
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 Tamayori and Mitsuwa Shimabukuro. Clarence's parents are hard-working to provide for their thirteen children.

Besides attending primary school, Clarence also attends Japanese Language School. His childhood activities include sports and fishing. In the summertime, Clarence works on the pineapple plantation. He is closest to his brother Hiroshi.

Robert Tokuo Nagata, a Nisei veteran of M Company 442nd, is born March 23, 1922, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents are both from Kumamoto, Japan. Robert's father is a salesman and there are eight children in the family.

Robert recalls attending primary school and going to Japanese Language School on the weekday and Saturday mornings. For entertainment, Robert plays sports and goes fishing. Growing up, the friend that influences him the most is Taiji Leung.

]]> Nagata, Robert: narrator
Tamayori, Clarence: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
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 Tamayori and Mitsuwa Shimabukuro. Clarence's parents are hard-working to provide for their thirteen children.

Besides attending primary school, Clarence also attends Japanese Language School. His childhood activities include sports and fishing. In the summertime, Clarence works on the pineapple plantation. He is closest to his brother Hiroshi.

Robert Tokuo Nagata, a Nisei veteran of M Company 442nd, is born March 23, 1922, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents are both from Kumamoto, Japan. Robert's father is a salesman and there are eight children in the family.

Robert recalls attending primary school and going to Japanese Language School on the weekday and Saturday mornings. For entertainment, Robert plays sports and goes fishing. Growing up, the friend that influences him the most is Taiji Leung.
]]> Tamayori, Clarence: narrator
Nagata, Robert: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Seichi describes growing up on a plantation in Molokai and being near a Leper Colony. Seichi attends Molokai Elementary School, Molokai Intermediate School, and Molokai High School. Throughout his school years, he participates in sports and the plantation league.

After graduating High School, he works on the plantation at the auto repair shop. He recalls December 7, and the restrictions that are in effect after the Pearl Harbor attack. Seichi volunteers for the military. When he passes his physical he is sent to Schofield barracks.

Seichi goes overseas to the Mainland for basic training at Camp Shelby. Seichi discusses his basic training experience and segregation in Mississippi. ]]> Sakaida, Seichi: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
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.
]]> Fujii, James: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Frank's grandfather is a farmer, and Frank's father briefly works on the farm until he gets another job. Both Frank's parents work in private homes and live at the employer's home. Frank's parents are hard-working and work six days a week.

During the Great Depression, Frank says life is not difficult because his parents have a stable job. Although his parents are always working, they do have time off to spend with family and friends. Frank says New Year is a festive holiday with Japanese food and family.

At school, Frank's favorite subjects are art and music. He plays numerous instruments from the violin, saxophone to the clarinet. He recalls performing at the World Fair with his school band.

Frank's childhood activities consist of games, marbles, movies, and listening to adventure shows on the radio.

On December 7, Frank remembers listening to the radio and hearing the news broadcast about Pearl Harbor. Frank and his parents and the bus driver from the Japanese School decide to go to Ridley (the safe zone).

]]> Hiratsuka, Frank: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Another social event is movies at the Japanese Community Center or going to the movie theater. The churches also have social events for the Japanese American Communities.

During their school years, they did not recall hearing much about world events. They remember Joe is a good student and he enjoys repairing things. Chiye shares how Joe signs up for the Army.

Chiye and Seichi recall Pearl Harbor and December 7. ]]> 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]]>
In Seattle, WA, his father opens a grocery store. Harold's father enjoys fishing and tennis. Harold's memorable moment with his father is when they go fishing. Harold's other childhood activities are going to the movies and Boy Scouts.

Harold attends Central Elementary School and Japanese Language School. Later he attends Garfield High School. Growing up, Harold says he does not experience discrimination or prejudice. The people in Seattle are friendly.

At home, Harold speaks both Japanese and English. His parents instilled in him Japanese traditions and values. ]]> Horiuchi, Harold: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>
His favorite teacher is Ms. Monroe (first grade teacher). Ms. Monroe treats him like a student and did not show racism. She also promotes him to the second grade.

At home Willie speaks Japanese and English. He also learns Spanish to speak to the farm workers. On occasions, Willie visits Mexico because a food and things are less expensive.

After graduating from San Benito High School, Willie works on the farm for a few year before going to the Army Air Corp. Willie shares his basic training experiences.]]> Tanamachi, Willie: narrator
]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer
]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2006-05-19]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Houston, Texas]]>
In 1939, their parents returned to Japan and moved back to Chicago, IL, after the war for a few years. Michael and Jimmy's parents decided to settle back in Japan because all their friends were there. Michael and Jimmy describe their parents as gentle and caring.

Although their parents were Buddhist, the children were raised as Christian. A traditional holiday celebrated in the house was New Year. The children were taught well and grew up to be good citizens.

Michael and Jimmy discuss their school years and participating in sports. At home Michael and Jimmy help with house chores or farm work. Their oldest brother had two produce stores, and Michael helped. Michael and Jimmy recall December 7 and the aftermath that followed.

Jimmy recollects his Sunday School Teacher saying he was American. The following day, Jimmy's friends treated him differently at lunchtime, and he ate lunch alone. Although some people treated the Japanese Americans as an outcast, the Oxnard community treated the Japanese Americans well.

Almost a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Michael was drafted. He went to San Pedro, Camp MacArthur, before going to Rockford, IL. The Japanese American soldiers were assigned to the Medical Training Center, where Michael trained to be a medic and worked in a hospital as an attendant.

Later, Michael went to Camp Blanding, Florida, to be a replacement for the 442nd. Michael transitioned from being a medic to an infantryman. After completing training, he went overseas to be a replacement for the 100th and 442nd.
]]> Doi, Jimmy: narrator]]> Doi, Michael John: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2007-03-07]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>