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…
Murakami begins the interview talking about her family background, which begins in Okinawa. After marriage, the family moved to Los Angeles where Mary was born and they began their life as Christians in Little Tokyo. During this time, her father…
In the second part of Herbert Yanamura's interview, he recounts his experience attempting to convince General Amamiya to surrender at Mayahira. He also talks about the successful war propaganda of the Japanese, the suffering of civilians during…
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…
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…
In October 1949, Ray Mayeda worked at the Civil Censorship until it was dissolved. Then Ray worked at Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) as a translator. He translated classified documents into English for a year.
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…
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…
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…
At Camp Shelby, Robert Sugimoto learns he is AWOL because there are no traveling orders. He tries to visit his family at Poston. However, Poston is under the Western Defense Command. Although Robert is in Army, he is not allowed to go.
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles.
Wartime is a heavy discussion. However, in this interview, Ray Wells and Julian Quayles talk about the lighter side of World War Two. Both men highlight areas of v-mail, homecoming, and…
Julian Quayles' interview is combined with Ray Wells.
Wartime is a heavy discussion. However, in this interview, Ray Wells and Julian Quayles talk about the lighter side of World War Two. Both men highlight areas of v-mail, homecoming, and…
During wartime, Paul Takao Bannai receives correspondence from family and people he meets. Letters from his family wanting him to return home safely and reunite with the family. There are letters from his Army friends in Australia acknowledging his…
Tanabe discusses about the interrogation process. He details about how he was wounded in Okinawa. Tanabe also discusses about his time in Niigata and Occupied Japan.
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…
Okumura talks about his marriage that began before the war, and some of his experiences while in Okinawa. Next, he talks more about reconstruction of Japan, including improving housing systems. He discusses being sansei and how he considers himself…
Okumura begins the interview talking about his whereabouts when the war ended and Japan surrendered and his thoughts on the atomic bomb. At the time, he was already in the Army and had gone through his training, so he was sent overseas to begin his…
Aki continues to talk about his experiences as a prisoner of war while in Japan. Towards the end of the war, he noticed that a lot of weird things were happening with the Japanese Army guards and that the POWs were taken out of work. He overheard…
During the occupation, George Mitsuru Matsunaga stayed with the CIC. He recalled a food shortage in Japan and saw the Japanese nationals trying to survive. During George's travel, he became friends with three Marines who fought in the Guadalcanal on…
Ishimoto begins the interview talking about his whereabouts when he first heard of the surrender of Japan. At this time, he was already beginning preparations to move into Japan for scheduled invasions, and therefore, when shipped to Japan, he would…
Hagino discusses receiving a good conduct medal, getting discharged, and going to Okinawa as a civilian to work on a construction project. He then talks about his experiences interacting with Okinawa civilians; visiting Japanese POW camps; and…
Hagino talks about the formation of the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, and also discusses his experiences in the 1399th including his duties as a bulldozer operator and receptionist; recreational activities he participated in while in the…
Okumura discusses how Kahului and Waikulu change from pre and post war, community activites and community organizations. Okumura also shares a few words for the future generations and the contribution the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) made in…
Kodama continues his recollection of his time visiting family in Hiroshima and seeing the devastation of the city a year after the atomic bomb had been dropped. Shortly after this, he had the chance to re-enlist in the Army as a 2nd lieutenant but…
Tsukayama talks about his life from birth to early adulthood. He discusses his youth in Kailua; military enlistment; and training as a medic. He shares recollections of the Pearl Attack, growing up in Hawaii, and carrying out medic duties in combat.
Matsui continues stories from occupied Japan, including talking with desperate civilians trying to sell things on the black market. He would also help with the war crimes trials as an investigator with the 8th Army Judge Advocate section. His…
Arakaki talks a bit more about his childhood in Okinawa. As he grew up in the village of Gushiken, he would learn folk songs, and play with his siblings. He would also take an interest in karate and learn bo. Next, he talks about the home he grew up…
Arakaki continues his discussion on his time interpreting in the Philippines and the other places that he served during the war. He would also have the chance to visit Okinawa and see his family that was living there. He also talks about the time…
Arakaki begins the interview with an introduction and talking about how his parents came to Hawaii. At the age of two, he and his family would move back Japan and Taro would live there until the age of 16, when he would make the move back to Hawaii.…
After the war, Susumu Sarae goes back to Hawaii. He is a taxis driver for several years before going back to Okinawa, Japan. In Okinawa, Susumu works for the civil service for a year on rebuilding houses. Part of his duties is looking for land and…
During Susumu's service, he corresponds back home. Some soldiers who write back home can disclose their location. However, Susumu is part of the Naval Intelligence and is restricted on what he can write in his letters. He shares an instant when he is…
In November 1944, Susumu Sarae receives his draft notice. He goes to the replacement depot, where is his indoctrinated into service. From the replacement depot, he goes to Schofield Air Force Base, Hickam Air Force Base, and Fort Kamehameha before…
Seian Hokama describes his family's history, his childhood growing up in Okinawa, and his return to Hawaii as a young adult. Hokama recounts being drafted into the military before Pearl Harbor and being recruited for the Military Intelligence Service…
After Camp Shelby, Isamu "Sam" Saito went to Fort Snelling. There were approximately 2,000 soldiers at Fort Snelling training to go overseas. The curriculum focused on reading and writing. Sam discusses his daily schedule at the Japanese school.
…
Oshiro continues speaking on his time in occupied Japan and the language training that he received once he arrived there. He talks about the conditions of the Japanese civilians and the struggles that they faced on a daily basis. He talks about the…
Oshiro discusses Japanese language school and Japanese cultural values. He revisits the topic of leisure time and he describes his community. He explains the role of Pidgin English in his early life. Oshiro also describes his grandfather and other…
Nakasone talks about the reactions to the Japanese attacking the Americans at Pearl Harbor and the effect that it had on his family. His parents understood that they would be seen as enemy aliens after the attacks but also understood that their…
Nakasone begins the interview talking about his family background and how his father came from Okinawa to Hawaii to work as a farmer. He talks about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including the food he would eat, and growing up during the…
Hiraoka discusses about his experiences in Okinawa. He details about the role of cigarettes and getting Yellow Jaundice. Hiraoka also discusses about his experiences in San Francisco and his homecoming.
Hiraoka discusses about his childhood activities and typical day. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Hiraoka also discusses about being drafted, joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and an experience in Okinawa.
Kaneshiro goes through his family background, where his parents originated from Okinawa and immigrated to Hawaii. However, on a visit back to Okinawa, his mother's visa expired and she was unable to get back to Hawaii, stranding George and his…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses his experience at Fort McClellan, Camp Snelling and Turkey tent. He shares funny moments from basic training and Colonel John Aiso who is an influential figure during his training.
Izumigawa discusses his parents including talking about his relationship with them and their personalities and physical traits; and discusses prejudice against people from Okinawa in regards to the Japanese community. He then talks about his…
Takimoto discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War. He details about his his family and experiences in Okinawa. Takimoto also discusses about his employment, current events, and the role Nisei women played.
Suzuki discusses being at Fort Benning when the war ends and going to Japan for occupation. He details about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Suzuki discusses his military career and the additional training he received.
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…
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…
Murakami talks about his observations of Japanese nationals during his participation in Occupied Japan. He talks about cultural nuances in Japan and the politics of Niseis interactions with Japanese citizenry. He also discusses his work after his…
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…
Takekawa discusses his assignment in Okinawa training police officers in the Provost Marshal’s office; and talks about his wife, life in Okinawa, getting discharged, and returning to Hawaii. He then talks about working as a sales manager in…
Takekawa talks about Earl Finch, discusses his participation in the 171st Training Battalion, going to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning; and his assignment at a training regiment in Fort McClellan. Next, Takekawa went to Military…
Tamanaha discusses his family and growing up on a pineapple plantation in Hawaii. He describes the community on the plantation and his school. He talks about the summers that he worked on the planation. Tamanaha discusses his family's property in…
Otoshi discusses the differences between interrogating civilians and prisoners of war (POWs); his experiences while living in Okinawa; and his assignment as a security officer in Korea. He then talks about his assignment in San Francisco in security…
Otoshi discusses his role during his assignment in Japan interrogating repatriates and families in Maizuru and Hakata. He then discusses the treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs), returning to Hawaii, and attending college. Lastly, Otoshi talks about…
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…
Mori continues his discussion on cave experiences while serving overseas in Okinawa. Following Okinawa, he is moved back to the Philippines until the end of the war. After thinking they would be sent back home after the atomic bombs, they are instead…
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…
Arakaki talks about visiting Japan as a toddler and remembering how poor his family was while living there, often only having a slice of bread for lunch. The family would move back to Hawaii to escape that, and would have much more opportunity and…
Arakaki begins the interview speaking about how his father came from Okinawa to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. His mother was a picture bride and would join his father in Hawaii to begin their life, having five children. They would have a…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada shares memories from his time serving in the Philippines with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). After moving on from the Philippines, Okada volunteered to serve in Japan with the Allied Occupied forces as…
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, 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, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto discusses a variety of topics, including family, post-war activities, and his career working overseas. Specifically, Sakumoto discusses his feelings on General Dahlquist before concluding on his war…
Kawamoto continues his interview by talking about looking for housing in Tokyo, going out with friends in Battle Creek, and the occupations of his family members and children. He imparts his message to future generations and states again the…
Higa describes his experiences interrogating Okinawans during the Okinawa Invasion. During his service in Okinawa, he was able to visit his relatives. When the war ended, he did not have enough points to be sent home, so he was sent to Korea to…
Higa discusses his duties providing intelligence about Okinawa for his commanding officers, as they prepared for a beachfront invasion. He describes the feelings that he had upon his return to Okinawa, and his experience cave flushing, which helped…
Takejiro Higa was born in Hawaii, but spent most of his childhood in Okinawa. When his parents died, he lived with his uncle in Okinawa until the age of sixteen, where he moved to Hawaii to live with his sister. Living in Hawaii was very different…
Harry Akune continues to talk about his experience with the parachute landing on Corregidor Island -- he had been separated from his team, but was luckily not identified as "the enemy." After Corregidor Island, he was sent to Luzon, where he was…
