Masato "Eddy" Kurushima discusses why the natives in the Pacific did not like anyone with Japanese ancestry. Eddy recalled an encounter with the Filipino natives and was mistaken for Japanese soldiers. Eddy says there was always a guard with the…
At Camp Savage, Masato Eddy Kurushima learns Japanese to be am interpreter. He recalls studying late at night to learn the vocabulary and kanji characters.
Eddy also goes to basic training for eight weeks. His learns infantry training and…
On December 7, 1941, Masato Eddy Kurushima was at the free market selling their harvest and heard the news about Pearl Harbor. Eddy was in shock and felt things would go back to normal the next day. The Pearl Harbor attack changed the lives of the…
Masato Eddy Kurushima and his family go to Japan for a few years. During his time in Japan, he sees the country militarizing. After a year of recovery, Eddy's father decides to return to the United States earlier. After living in the United States,…
Masato Eddy Kurushima records his childhood through his drawings. He shows an illustration about his home life. During Christmas and New Year's time, the family makes mochi. Making mochi on special occasions is a Japanese tradition that Eddy's…
Masato Eddy Kurushima is born on December 6, 1924, in Brawley, CA.
Masato changes his name to Eddy because of the confusion of his Japanese name with his sister's name in high school.
Eddy grows up on the farm and he describes his childhood and…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his friendship with Mine Okubo. Okubo is a Japanese American artist who illustrates her experience in camp and is the author of "Citizen 133660".
Post-war, Yonemura works in the General Consul Office from 1953…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses being in Japan for occupation from September 1945 to late January 1946. His duties range from meeting with Nisei expatriates; working for war crime trials; and being the eyes and ears for General MacArthur for lines…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses the Battle of Solomon Sea and gets promoted to team leader in the translation group. He receives the Bronze Star for his service.
Yonemura is with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) from October…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses having a lot of support despite facing discrimination. At Camp Savage, Yonemura is on the bull gang for eight or ten days until getting into Language School. He studies hard and is class 13. Yonemura says the…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses in 1941 he is in his third year of law school and works part time as a librarian monitor. Yonemura learns at the news of Pearl Harbor through a friend. Yonemura is in disbelief by the news of events. The following…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his parents' personality. His Father is a philosophical person who enjoys reading and subscribes to the Rafu Shimpo. His Mother is very stoic and handles the household finances. Growing up in a large family, he…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses name, birth date, birthplace and familial description. Yonemura's Father Tameki Yonemura and Mother Keku Yonemura
immigrate to the United States (US) with the early wave of Issei. When Yonemura's parents arrive…
Funai discusses University of Hawaii and joining the National Guards. He works all the way through college, Due to his participation in Reserved Officer Training Corp (ROTC), he becomes a Commission Second Lieutenant and becomes part of the Military…
Shimizu discusses his father's immigration to the United States and his personality. He then talks about his childhood experiences in Japan; his mother's physical traits and personality; returning to the United States at the age of 14; his…
Kanda talks about attending school, and discusses his teachers and some of the classes he took. He then continues to discuss his childhood and talks about recreational activities such as going to the movies and listening to the radio. Next, Kanda…
Hashimoto discusses growing up in Santa Cruz, California and recalls helping his father with farming duties; and playing sports, including being a part of a Nisei baseball league. He then talks about his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor,…
When Lillian Matsudaira moves to Philadelphia, she works at an insurance company as a clerk. Lillian stays in Philadelphia for nine months before going to Cleveland. In 1945 Seattle reopens, and Lillian goes back home at the end of July.…
Lillian Aiko Inouye Matsudaira is born June 8, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Her parents are from Senkaku, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. Lillian's father goes to school to learn English and open a restaurant in 1925. The restaurant…
Akaki writes from “Somewhere in Italy” – he is not allowed to disclose their location due to military regulation. He describes the weather in Italy, and about the Italian natives who try to barter with the American soldiers for cigarettes and…
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…
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…
Leo Morishita gives a little fun fact about his last name Morishita. Morishita means underwood in English. Before his high school graduation, on December 7, Leo is at the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) planning on an early Christmas party.…
Leo Morishita is born December 24, 1923, in Shelley, Idaho. Leo's parents are from Hiroshima, Japan, and immigrates to the United States for a better life. When Leo's father arrives in the United States, he works on the railroad and later becomes a…
Ko Stanley Sameshima's Army career is full of many contributions and accomplishments. He graduates from Military Intelligence Language School and becomes a linguist during the Occupation of Japan. Ko joins the civil censorship as a First Lieutenant…
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.…
Ko Stanley Sameshima is born December 6, 1921, in Long Beach, California. Ko's parents are Issei from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His father immigrates to the United States at seventeen years old with dreams of a better future with his younger…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses the difficulties to transition civilian life and takes two years to find himself on the mainland. Morimoto decides to return home when his financials are running low after traveling to various cities such as Chicago,…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses he would not do anything different in his battle field experiences. He got along well with the other officers and his rank during the war is Tech Sargent. In his company, the Platoon Sargent gets injured and…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses working at a meet market after graduating high school until he volunteers for the service. Morimoto does not feel discrimination prewar. He says during that time each ethnic group lives in their own perspective camp.…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses his home life and childhood in Hawaii. His family is Buddhist and goes to church on the weekends. Coming from a fisherman family, his meals at home consist of fish. At an early age, he learns not to eat fishes with…
Kiyoji Morimoto discusses his birth date, birthplace and familial description. Morimoto's father is from Japan and becomes a commercial fisherman in Hilo, Hawaii. Morimoto's Father is a happy go lucky guy. His occupation requires him to work on the…
Murumoto discusses his familial description. He recalls the living condition growing up and helping out on the farm after school. Murumoto shares some of his childhood activities, one of them being watching baseball games with his Father, After high…
Mitsunaga discusses some of his combat experiences: Salerno Beach and Cassino. He also talks about being in a racially segregated military unit; and his impression of Colonel Turner. He also discusses Nisei veterans he knew who got into politics in…
Hagino discusses his parents and their employment; his siblings; and describes his childhood homes. He then talks about his family's farm; provides definitions for the terms "Issei" and "Nisei"; and discusses his childhood including talking about…
After the war, Kenichi Muranaga gets married in 1946 and works serval jobs before starting his laundromat business in 1963. Kenichi and Yoshiko have one son, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
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.…
Ken Tamura discusses his watch store and sharing his war experience with his customers who will listen. Ken recollects one customer who will not acknowledge the contribution of the Nisei during World War Two.
Ken Tamura discusses his friendship with other translators. In Japan, there is a shortage of food, and the locals did not have money to buy anything. The locals sometimes will befriend the GIs to get supplies to survive.
Ken Tamura discusses his war experiences in Italy. He says it is scary times, but he is thankful to be alive. Ken believes the Nisei contribution in World War Two will help future generations against discrimination. Ken says he is an American, he has…
Ken Tamura discusses the effects of war on the soldiers, civilians, and the country. When Ken first arrives in France, many of the 442nd are either killed in action or wounded in action from the Lost Battalion rescue. In Europe during this time,…
Ken Tamura discusses camp life and waiting to leave. His first opportunity to leave Heart Mountain is to work on a sugar beet farm. Another time Ken receives a sponsor to go to Chicago. In Chicago, Ken gets a job at the Chicago Bar Association.…
Ken Tamura discusses his childhood friend Woody and their friendship. The Tamura family sells their farm in Oklahoma and moves to Japan. Before arriving in Japan, the Tamura family visits California and Hawaii.
Ken Tamura severes in the 442nd Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company L.
He is born in Okmulgee, OK on March 27, 1923. His parents are from Japan, and he has three sisters and a brother. Ken grows up in an isolated area on a farm.
Ken Nihei discussed the poem If by Rudyard Kipling and how it applies to life.
Ken recalls his wife Masuko and life with their children, Westley Paul and Judith Ann. Ken hopes his children to live a good life and enjoy every moment.
Ken Nihei was born in 1925 in Sacramento, CA. Ken grew up in Sacramento until he was seven years old and moved to Hayward (Bay Area) during the Great Depression.
Ken's father immigrated to the United States from Fukushima-ken, Japan, to help his…
Miya discusses his prefecture origin and changing his last name from Miyagishima to Miya. He feels that Miya would be easier for his friends to pronounce. Growing up, his family are Christians. The Miya family does not tend church regularly due to…
Kazuo Komoto talks about performing guard duty over an aircraft plant in California, and how a newspaper picture of Nisei's guarding the plant created some issues with the local community. Next, he discusses his transfer to Camp Savage and the…
Yamada begins the interview talking about his family and how they came to move from Hiroshima to Los Angeles. His father would work as a flower farmer while Kazuhiko and his siblings attended english and Japanese school. He would attend Gardena High…
Maeda talks about her parents immigrating from Japan to the United States, and her whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After Executive Order 9066, Maeda and her family were forcibly removed first to Pinedale Temporary Detention Facility,…
Toyota discusses family religion, secondary school, and going overseas for the European Theater. In Japan Toyota's Issei parents are Buddhist. However, when migrating to the United States, Toyota's parents believe their children should follow the…
Toyota discusses his parents immigration to the United States, his childhood and his military service. Toyota's Father is a trained as a carpenter in Japan and when he migrates to America, he becomes a barber and a farmer. During the Great…
Nishijima recalls his families forced removal to Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and then to Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. He describes the living conditions at camp and how he obtains a job as a truck driver while living there. When…
Nishijima discusses his parent immigration from Japan to the United States. He moves to Japan to live with his Uncle when his Father passes away. He attends school and works on a silk worm farm. In his later teenage years, Nishijima returns back to…
Kaneshige discusses blackouts, rations, and other reactions after Pearl Harbor. Kaneshiga and his friend "Bulldog" volunteer for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He recalls going to Schofield Barracks, the Mainland, and Camp Shelby. He also…
Kaneshige discusses his prefecture origin and when his parents came to Hawaii. Kaneshige discusses about his siblings and growing up on Sugar Cane plantation. He also details about his childhood and educational experiences.
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…
Hamanaka discusses his time of occupation in Japan and his length of Military Service. He also mentions Japan's civilians thoughts on Military Intelligence Service in Japan. When Hamanaka is discharged, he goes back to school and receives two…
Hamanaka discusses his parents orign and growing up as an only child. During his adolescent years he helps with his Father's business after school and is active in journalism at school. Hamanaka recalls learning how to cook in Puyallup and making…
Kurata discusses his experiences while on headquarters assignment duty; talks about seeing confiscated Japanese swords; and discusses his transfer to Sendai to set up a new Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) headquarters. He then talks about his CIC…
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.
Post-war, John Akira Takekawa sat in on the war crime trial of General Tomoyuki Yamashita. The General Yamashita trial was daily and took approximately 30 to 60 days for the hearing. John also attended General Masaharu Homma's trial in Manila.
…
Sato discusses the occupation in Japan and wartime experiences. Post-war, Sato gets married and has children. He also gets involved with the Hawaiian Holocaust Project .He discusses the involvement and contributions of the 552nd Field Artillery…
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…
Murakami talks about his relationships with his grandchildren. He also discusses his relationships with Hawaiian soldiers during World War Two. He shares his thoughts on wars after World War Two.
Joe Saito discusses Japanese traditions and Japanese being able to receive citizenship in 1952. Post-war he meets his wife at a YMCA dance and marries her in 1947. They have three children and grandchildren. Saito gets involve in civic work after his…
Joe Saito discusses conditions at Camp Shelby and shares experiences. At basic training he describes the relationship between Mainland boys and Hawaiian boys. Saito parts ways with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team when he arrives at Camp Meade…
Joe Saito discusses his childhood activities with his brothers and child rearing. He contributes the Japanese identity and values to his upbringing. Saito decides to volunteers for service and he goes to basic training. While in training, he is…
Saito discusses home life, living conditions, and farming lifestyle. Saito helps his Father in the Farm Trucking and describes how Japanese Merchant deals with payment and trade. He socializes more with the Japanese Community more due to work and…
Saito discusses his childhood going up in the rural community of Oregon and his Issei parents. His Father works in the Farm Trucking business and Saito leaves Junior High School due to his Father's ailing health. Saito helps with the family business…
Onchi discuss receiving treatment for his injuries and being discharged. Onchi's brother is also drafted into service. Post-war, Onchi goes to college and becomes an Optometrist, gets married and has children. He receives the Purple Heart and Bronze…
Onchi discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. He shares his childhood activities and talks about influential teachers from his informative years. Onchi recalls being inducted, basic training and joining the 442nd Regimental Combat…
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…
Inami discusses Jerome Concentration Camp and the living arrangements. Due to the conditions of camp, Inamai compares it welfare and how welfare is shameful to the Japanese culture. In camp, jobs are available. Inami recalls the jobs his family…
Inami discusses forced removal. The Inami family receives support from their Chinese friend to help watch over their Grocery Store while they are interned. Inami recalls the military regulation of what is allowed to be carried into camp. On the day…
Konno discusses meeting his wife while in graduate school; and tells stories regarding their interracial relationship, including experiences with prejudice. He then talks about his children and grandchildren, and passing on Japanese culture and…
Janet Nakakihara and Janice Yokoyama Trubitt are nieces of Private First Class Sadao S. Munemori, the Medal of Honor recipient. Janet's mother, Yuriko (oldest), and Janice's mother, Kikuyo (youngest), are siblings of Sadao.
Janet Brown Hardwick Brown is the oldest of the Hardwick sisters. She is married to Phil Brown and has three children and grandchildren. Susan Hardwick is the youngest sister and is a real estate agent for 30 years. The Hardwick sisters start a…
Yamasaki discusses the adversity he faced during the time after he left the army. He reflects and the mark he left of Japan and vise versa. Yamasaki also discusses explaining democracy in Japan.
Yamasaki discusses what it was like growing up. He details how he joined the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). Yamasaki discusses about the brief period of time he stayed in Japan as a child.
Urata talks about the legacy of the Nisei. He discusses the lessons his parents taught him. He shares his hopes for the future. He also shares his thoughts on 9/11. Urata talks about deaths in his family. His wife joins the interview and answers…
Oda discusses encounters with civilians while at Camp Savage, what a typical day was like as an instructor at Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), student populations that included both Nisei and Caucasians, and grading papers. He…
Oda talks about moving back to the United States, learning English again, and employment opportunities including working at a produce market and becoming an organizer for a union for markets. He also discusses his thoughts regarding the attack on…
James Murata described his war experience as embittered and prideful. He discusses the consequences of human beings’ actions. He believed the Nisei served their country with loyalty and honor during World War Two. James does not think about…
James Murata took the situation of the war in stride. He did his duty as an American citizen and served in the Army. James attended MIS language school and was proud of what he was doing.
He described the living conditions in a five-man hut. On…
James Murata stopped attending Japanese Language School in high school to help his parents in the fields harvesting carrots. He discusses his obligation to help his parents in farming. If there were any family outings, the family would pay. Unlike…
James Murata was born on August 6, 1920, in San Jose, CA. James' parents were from Shimane-ken, Japan. James' father was a good father but passed away early. Before James' father passed away, he was a hard worker to provide for the family. When he…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori recalls his time working as a military citations clerk, as well as the qualifications for earning a Congressional Medal of Honor. Next, recalls meeting his wife and he explains why he felt she…
During this part of the interview, James Mitsumori discusses the discrimination that Japanese Americans faced after the war. In addition, he goes on to recount his parent's evacuation experience, as well as his wife's experiences during the war.…
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…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori gives a brief introduction of himself and his familial background. In addition, James recounts growing up in Pasadena, California and he recollects the segregation system that was in place at the…
Post-war, James returns to the United States and goes to trade school on a G.I. Bill. James learns to bake and becomes a baker for five years. Eventually, he changes professions and goes into produce because the job is stable with union pay.…
James Jin Kobayashi goes overseas and meets with the 442nd in Southern France. He is part of F Company. He recalls going up the Northern Apennine Mountains and being at the frontlines.
James is at the frontline for two weeks before the…
Besides attending primary school, James Jin Kobayashi attends a Japanese Language School. At home, he speaks half English and Japanese to his Issei parents.
James recalls the day of the bombing of Pearl harbor. He says it is regular business at…
James Jin Kobayashi is born on November 25, 1921, in San Bernardino, California. His parents are Ishhinosuke Kobayashi and Taka Ishikawa from Japan. James's father comes to San Bernardino because his brother owns a restaurant. His father, Ishii,…
Iso discusses trying to help the Japanese people as best as possible. He highlights the role the Nisei played during the occupation. Iso also discusses Japan's agriculture and food production capabilities post-war
James Iso describes the values that he learned from his family, about the Japanese culture and traditions. He talks about the difference between Japanese American assimilation into American society compared to other Asian American cultures, and…
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.…
James Fujii grows up in a rural area. After the war, the community doubled in size. James felt everyone got along after they knew one another. In his opinion, the Japanese American community did not rebel against racism after the war. They are happy…
