On April 24, the Chinese assaulted Hershey's squad, and he gave orders for his men to withdraw. Hershey covered for his men to escape. He was wounded and captured by the Chinese soldiers. At the POW camp, Hershey describes the living conditions he endured for 27 and a half months. He did not get proper nourishment, medical attention, and warm clothing. To avoid wood cutting detail, Hershey became the barber in camp.

In 1952 the peace talks started, and the names of the POWs were released. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War. The Medal of Honor changed many aspects of Hershey's life, and he spoke at many events. As a fellow American of Japanese ancestry, Japanese Americans are just as dedicated to the United States as any other American. Hershey felt the training and his fellow soldiers helped him, but there was a higher being that guided him through the war experience.

Hershey was not religious when his mother passed away. However, he returned to his faith and religion helped Hershey get through his war experience, POW life, and post-war.



]]> Miyamura, Hiroshi "Hershey"; narrator]]> Yamazaki, Christine; interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center; publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004-07-24]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Allied Occupation of Japan]]> World War II--Prisoners and prisons]]> Industry and employment]]> Military service--Veteran history]]> Shishido, Hiroshi: narrator]]> Yahata, Craig: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2009 January 17]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>
Before going overseas, Henry visits his family in Amache and has a bad experience. He describes the living conditions and treatment. Also, Henry gets married to his wife in Chicago.

In Italy, Henry is in the last push. He describes his time in the European Theater and the learning of Joe's death. Chiye Hayashi Watanabe and Seiichi Nakawatase also discuss learning about Joe's death. Joe Hayashi is awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguish Service Medal, and Medal of Honor for his service in World War Two.
]]> 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]]>
Robert goes overseas to Okinawa. He describes the situation in Okinawa. Robert has to translate documents for strategic worth. He recalls the American Infantry finding a map, but Headquarters did not receive it until later. By knowing the location of the Japanese cannons is the beginning of the Japanese Army's downfall.

In Okinawa, there are propaganda leaflets that cause many civilians to commit suicide. Robert remembers two little girls who lose their mother. Suicides are happening all over Okinawa. Robert also mentions cave flushing. Many of the civilians are hiding in the caves.

Besides translating documents, he works at the POW Camp. He recalls hearing an announcement that Japan surrenders. Before going home, Robert gets a souvenir.

Robert returns to the United States and is discharge at Fort MacArthur, and he reunites with his family in Detroit, MI.














]]> Sugimoto, Robert: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
After Japan, Paul has one more year of service. He goes to Fort Lewis, WA. He is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, 23rd Regiment, First Sergeant of the Cannon Company. Paul reflects on working with General MacArthur and says he is a good leader.

When Paul is discharged, he faces challenges finding a job and buying a home due to discrimination. Paul is able to persuade a housing contractor to sell homes to Japanese Americans. Paul goes into the real estate business with the motivation to help other Japanese Americans.

Paul establishes his real estate business in Gardena and is active with the city. The next phase of Paul's life is in politics. Paul becomes the Executive Director of Commissioner of Wartime and Relocation Internment of Civilians.

Besides politics, Paul focuses on recording the stories of camp life, 442nd, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Paul's story goes to MGM studios, and a movie is produced. The film is called Go For Broke, and it is a success.

]]> Bannai, Paul: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
After training, Paul goes overseas. In New Guinea, Paul and fifteen Nisei MP and set up a POW camp. His job is to interview the POWs. The next step for General MacArthur is to set up the next landing spot in the Philippines.

General MacArthur's next landing is Leyte Islands. Paul and the MP set up the POW camp for interrogation. Paul recalls the capture of a Japanese sergeant, and he gives the locations of the cannons fired at night. Besides the POWs intel, Paul's team gets the radio signal of the Japanese soldiers and hears their conversations. Paul recalls the Japanese Navy attack and saving the Japanese soldiers from the ship.

Later, Paul receives orders to go to Australia and join the Australian Army unit for translation. Paul and the Australian Army travel to Borneo because there are still many Japanese troops in that area. Paul remembers a case of interrogating a Japanese soldier in the hospital who is a Nisei drafted into the Japanese Army.

In Borneo, there are snipers, and Paul is assigned guards for protection. One of Paul's guards is shot by a sniper, and he tries to save him. Paul is awarded a medal from the Australian government. However, that medal is only awarded to Australian soldiers, and Paul returns the medal.

Paul stays in Borneo to assist with the surrendering ceremonies. After the surrender ceremonies, Paul goes to Manila, Philippines, but his unit leaves for Tokyo, Japan. Before going to Tokyo, Paul flies to Okinawa with other soldiers to help them with trade translations. In Tokyo, Paul learns he is promoted to second lieutenant if he serves during the occupation forces. However, Paul turns down his commission. Paul recalls visiting Kyoto to visit relatives.

]]> Bannai, Paul: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
During the Korean war, Skeets faced challenges in battles with the enemy soldiers and interrogating POWs. He recollects before going to Sunchang, the troops had to go through a mountain road and were under artillery fire. The 2nd Division had a heavy loss of men and could not continue. Therefore, they had to recuperate for a month waiting for replacements.

Besides combat, Skeets interrogated the officers and non-combats. However, there were too many of them. Skeets recalls getting Chinese POWs in Korean uniforms. With the dilemma, McArthur Headquarters went to Chiang Kai Shek to find a Chinese linguist.

Skeets was called back to the 8th Army in Taegu to start an Interrogation Poisoner of War Training School at Army Prison in Pusan. Skeets picked about 20 Niseis from the frontline for 2 weeks of training. The training consisted of map reading, interrogation, and how to evacuate POWs.

The Niseis practiced their interrogation skills on the POWS at the 8th Army Compound. The interrogation later moved to Pusan. After Skeets conduct about four classes of interrogation training, he received orders to go to Japan. Skeets wanted to return to the States. However, linguists were needed.
]]> Oji, Sukeo: narrator]]> Yee, Govan: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
In the interrogation, there is only Hitoshi and the interviewee. He tries to make the interrogation informal for the interviewee to feel at ease. There are many POW camps in the Philippines, and Hitoshi is not able to visit them.

Hitoshi's first interview with the Prisoner of War (POW) is with a sailor. The sailor is about a year older than Hitoshi and did not want to talk. Therefore Hitoshi uses psychological warfare to try to interrogate the POW.

Hitoshi learns about psychological warfare at Fort Snelling. Hitoshi also takes psychology in college "shinri-gaku." In the interrogation with the Japanese sailor (POW), Hitoshi explains being a Japanese American in the US Army. However, it is difficult for the Japanese sailor to understand how Hitoshi can be Japanese with no Japanese ties. Hitoshi also shares his interrogation experience with a businessman (POW).

Hitoshi says the treatment of the POWs is good in the US POW Camp. Hitoshi recalls a War Crime interview with Major Phillips. They interviewed a sailor from a mini-submarine (from Pearl Harbor). The objective of the interview is to see if he experienced any mistreatment in the US POW Camp. The POW is happy the war is ended.





]]> Sameshima, Hitoshi: narrator]]> Sato, Christine: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> World War II--War crimes trials]]> Allied Occupation of Japan]]> Japan--Post-World War II]]> Matsui, Takashi: narrator]]> Okinaka, Bobby: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2001 September 01]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Seattle, Washington ]]> Japanese Americans--Post-World War II]]> Identity and values]]> Military service--Veteran history]]> Sato, Roy: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 March 21]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Rancho Cordova, California ]]>