During wartime, Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura worked at the Ford Agency and was the youngest mechanic at 17 years old. He recalls December 7, 1941, and hearing the news when he went duck hunting. Hershey was shocked and felt uncertain about the future…
Tetsuo Asato was 19 years old when he went overseas. He recalls the weight of carrying his weapons. The heaviness of the weapons did not become too strenuous on Tetsuo until he was trying to climb the mountain. Tetsuo recalls being a litter-bearer…
Enoch Kanaya reflects on his time in combat and his squad members.
He said their confidence in each other helped them do their jobs well and they trusted each other.
After the war ended, Enoch was assigned to guard the Prisoners of War (POWs)…
James McNaughton discusses the risks the Nisei took in fighting during WWII, and the advantages of having Nisei linguists during the occupation of Japan. Next, he describes researching information for his official history, and helping to research…
Ohta discusses various war experiences, including the troops in his company. Next, he speaks about having very little correspondence with his family and the rank he earned of staff sergeant. He also discusses aspects of the German Army and the…
Tagami discusses Senator Daniel Akaka contributes to the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) as a unit receiving the Presidential Unit Credentials. Also Senator Akaka assists with individual upgrades, MIS history and Medal of Honor. During Senator…
Overseas, Minoru Miyasaki spent his time in Italy seizing the mountain from the German soldiers. When Minoru was not in combat, he was a litter-bearer. He recalls carrying Senator Daniel Inouye in a stretcher to the Aid Station. Minoru explains the…
Ikeda discusses meeting his wife, provides some marriage advice, and discusses his children. He then talks about purchasing and working on a farm, discusses the importance of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) to the war effort and MIS receiving…
Tsuda talks about his campaign experiences, starting with Anzio, where he would experience his first combat, and was involved in a very difficult barrage in a wheat field. The unit would move up from Anzio to Civitavecchia, and then to Belvedere.…
Nunotani talks about the Champaign Campaign and the Gothic Line. He reflects on his experiences while in the 442nd. Nunotani describes the end of World War Two. He also discusses rations and his post-war activities. He talks about his military…
Nakabayashi shows and describes documents and images from a scrapbook including newspaper articles, photographs, and drawings. Images featured include Frank Sinatra, President Truman, and a welcome home parade. Lastly, Nakabayashi shows his Army…
Oura discusses the Gothic Line battle and what it took to push out the German soldiers that were there to finish off the war. After this, they would be allowed to take passes to certain European cities, but if you had enough points, you could also…
Matsukawa talks about the history of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, stemming all the way back to Pearl Harbor, when the prejudice first began. He also talks about the accomplishments and strides they made by fighting for their country. Next, he…
Endo shows and describes photographs in a scrapbook during his time in Europe as a medic. Photographs depict fellow soldiers, a first aid station, medical supply truck, the 232nd Combat Engineer Company, experiences during the Gothic Line, and other…
Nakamura discusses his involvement with the war crimes trials, first in Australia, where he would interrogate the prisoners of war in Sugamo prison, then to Tokyo for the Class B trials. After these, he would work as a translator for prisoners of war…
Izumigawa discusses combat experiences and describes mines; and talks about receiving a care package during the Champagne Campaign which included a Senninbari (Japanese good luck charm). He then talks about his brother's military service; the end of…
Kitada discusses a soldier who was killed in action, talks about his experiences in Pompeii, and discusses black market trading and selling. He then talks about German artillery, combat experiences in Italy, and recalls some good experiences during…
Sakaji talks about receiving a Presidential Unit Citation; discusses getting discharged and returning home; and talks about seeing friends in Chicago while on route to California. Next, Sakaji discusses his brother’s military service and sister’s…
Ikari continues talking about his basic training at Camp Shelby, joining E Company and preparing for their shipment overseas. They would ship out from Newport News aboard a liberty ship, gambling, playing cards and listening to music throughout the…
Takiguchi talks about his combat experiences in Civitavecchia and Belvedere, German POWs, his duties as squad leader, and receiving a Presidential Unit Citation. He then talks about his experiences at Leghorn, crossing the Arno River, describes the…
