Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura said during his POW camp experience, he had a positive outlook and had something to look forward to at home that helped him survive.
Hershey's wife, Terry, learned he was a POW in 1952 when the government released the…
James McNaughton begins the interview by giving a short biographical introduction and how he came to work for the Defense Language Institute. Next he discusses learning about the Nisei and their role in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).…
George Oiye talks about the reputation of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, experiences as a forward observer, and the units transfer to France. Next, he discusses the attacks on Bruyeres and Biffontaine. Lastly, he describes the Rescue of the…
Victor Abe talks about his graduation from Military Intelligence School and his subsequent journey to Australia to become a translator of captured Japanese documents. Finding the duty in Australia unexciting he volunteers to be a document translator…
Hiltey discusses his family, siblings, childhood and school years. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Hiltey decides to join the army. He shares his wartime experience of basic training, going oversea and being captive. The most memorable moment for…
Kamemoto provides his thoughts about citizenship and loyalty in regards to World War Two; describes the term "yamato-damashii"; and discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath including his experiences with blackouts and rationing. He then…
Hayashi recalls battles in Coli, Italy and Cassino, Italy. After taking medical leave, he arrived back to his company in time for the Anzio Campaign, where he soon received the Distinguished Service Cross. Hayashi concludes by discussing his memories…
Yoshioka discusses life at Camp Savage during Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS), and his assignment in Australia translating prisoners of war (POW) interrogations. He then talks about his guard duty assignment in New Guinea, other…
Kunihiro talks about his experiences in combat and how he had to be reassigned due to Bronchitis. He shares anecdotes about sight seeing he did in Europe; his experience supervising German and Italian POWs laborers; and his being hospitalized. He…
Fukushima discusses tactics that were used when interrogating POWs; talks about his duties as a replacement soldier; and discusses his experiences in Leyte. Fukushima also talks about his experiences in Luzon; the surrender of Japan; duties in Kyoto…
Watanabe discusses his father's immigration from Japan to the United States and his work at a plantation in Hawaii. He then talks about his mother; discusses attending Japanese language school; discusses Japanese dialects; talks about attending…
Kozono mostly talks about his life after he was discharged from the army and returned home to his parents in Sacramento area. Later he married and established his own family. However, he also discusses the different kinds of POWs he encountered and…
Furuya continues to talk about his experiences in high school. He explains how he quit his job after enlisting. He talks about his work for the MIS during the Korean War. Furuya discusses being a second lieutenant in the 3rd division. He explains his…
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…
Kashiki discusses a friendship, provides an explanation of a proximity fuze and other explosive devices, discusses traveling with the unit at night; and talks about German weapons and equipment. Kashiki also talks about combat experiences and terrain…
Takano discusses Italian civilians; talks about getting a pass to visit Rome; discusses his experiences in Florence; and talks about the worst combat experiences. He then talks about combat experiences in France; discusses a soldier who stepped on a…
Shiosaki discusses the [Saito] brothers' military service; talks about a Staff Sergeant; and discusses the end of the war including assisting with processing POWs. He then discusses the Army point system; discusses learning about President Franklin…
Steidl discusses how his family, of Czech/German heritage, had to evacuate Czechoslovakia due to World War 2. He talks about his German father political prisoner during the war and his family background pre-World War 2. He also discusses how he…
Sumida discusses the repatriation of Japanese citizens from Manchuria and his assignment monitoring Japanese repatriates; and talks about receiving a Bronze Star. He then talks about his assignment in Korea, his translation assignment after Korea,…
Sumida discusses his experiences as part of Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) including discussing his training and his cases. He then talks about the Japanese mafia (Yakuza); and discusses his assignment monitoring Japanese POWs who were captured by…
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…
Muramoto discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor, blackout restrictions; and describes Camp Shelby including discussing food, basic training, going into Hattiesburg; and his experiences with segregation and discrimination. He then reads a letter sent…
Miyashiro discusses one of his good childhood friends, [Mitchell] and talks about their wartime experiences together in France and Italy. He then talks about his family members including discussing his in-laws and a contest where his father-in-law…
Miyashiro talks about his post-war experiences in Sacramento; discusses the food in the POW camp; and talks about the checkpoint between East and West Germany (checkpoint Charlie) and Russian POWs, He then talks about returning back to Hawaii and…
Yokooji discusses his reasons for volunteering to go to Korea and talks about his assignment during the Korean War interrogating POWs. He then talks about his relationship with a company commander; discusses the end of the Korean War; talks about…
Ikeguchi discusses his experiences during his tour in China; talks about weapons he carried; and discusses the end of the war and returning home to California. He then talks about going back to college to finish his degree; discusses his brother's…
Ikeguchi discusses the treatment of Japanese POWs; describes the term "comfort women"; and talks about his experiences during his interrogation assignment. He then talks about his interactions with Japanese POWs; discusses casualties of war; and…
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…
Sakaji discusses his experiences at the end of the war taking POWs from Wisconsin back to Japan. He then talks about his translation and interpreting assignment in Japan working for motor pool; discusses his relatives in Japan; and talks about his…
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…
Sakaji discusses his employment assisting his father and tells a story where he attempted to fix a tractor. He then talks about his post-war employment working for a mechanic; the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath; and discusses his forced removal…
In the second part of his oral history interview, Samuel Harano recounts the constant skirmishes with the Japanese as they moved through the Burma jungle and interrogating prisoners. In particular, he goes into the importance of translating captured…
Nelson Akagi talks about Larry Lubetzky, a Jewish POW turned interpreter for their unit. He recounts finding Lubetzky through the Holocaust Center after almost 50 years and seeing him in person at the 50th year reunion. Akagi also describes the…
Nelson Akagi talks about experiences during the Bruyeres-Biffontaine/ Volges Campaign and more of what it was like being a scout. He also tells of the sorrow of the I Company after the Lost Battalion rescue and his experience liberating Jewish POW's.
