Yukio Kawamoto describes his basic training experience at Camp Robinson and Camp Crowder. He was later recruited into the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota. He talks about his experience visiting his parents at…
Narasaki recalls his time at Tanforan Detention Center and tells us about his job washing dishes and the music and recreational activities. He recounts the journey to Topaz Internment Camp and the living conditions. He also describes the rift the…
Nakayama talks about school, discusses his favorite subjects, talks about life prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the restrictions he encountered after the attack. He also talks about his family's experiences after Executive Order 9066…
Kimura discusses how he came to get the nickname "Rusty" and his sports career during high school, winning a championship for the C Team. He talks about the Great Depression and having the chance to attend college in Los Angeles, but deciding against…
Kimura continues talking about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, including getting forced to evacuate and move into a temporary detention center at Tanforan racetrack, where his mother would pass away. Next, they would move to Topaz Concentration Camp…
While at the Topaz Concentration Camp, Kimura would see Army recruiting teams, looking for Japanese speakers to join the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would volunteer and pass the tests, giving him a sense of patriotism and a reason to get…
Masuda discusses what it was like visiting his family in Tule Lake and Topaz. Masuda also details about the relationship he had with his parents. He also gives some insight of what it was like growing up a Japanese American.
Murakami discusses going to Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility and the living conditions. He shares his thought on how the camp experience is different from Nisei to Issei. When Murakami goes to Rochester for seminary school, he contributes…
Aizawa discusses about his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility. He details about his experiences at Topaz Concentration Camp. Aizawa also discusses about his experiences with prejudices, D-Day, V-E Day, and his schooling.
Hanamura talks about his duties while at Camp Grant as part of the Quartermaster Corps; discusses receiving weapons at Camp Shelby; and talks about some of the other officers in his group and best friend in the Army. He then talks about visiting his…
Takahashi discusses his whereabouts during the attacks on Pearl Harbor; as he was already in the Army, he would get the news at Camp San Luis Obispo and commanded to carry live ammunition while in the camp. He would try to become a cook, but was…
Kusunoki discusses about his experiences at Topaz Concentration Camp and getting drafted. He details about his experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team assigned to the medical detachment. Kusunoki also discusses about his post-war life.
Mrs. Kusunoki discusses about her experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility and Topaz Concentration Camp. She details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and leaving camp. Mrs. Kusunoki also discusses about her post-war life.
Matsukawa talks about his family background, including his mother and father coming over from Niigata prefecture in Japan. As the terrain of Utah was very similar to Niigata, the family would end up settling there. Next, he talks about the…
Matsukawa finishes up the interview talking about the history of the 442nd and keeping that education alive with the younger generations, as there are still a lot of people that don't realize there were American concentration camps. Finally, he talks…
Nishikubo discusses his family, and talks about his father’s work as a tennant farmer. He then talks about his childhood including his duties helping out on the farm, chores, discusses high school, his neighborhood, playing sports, and his…
Nishikubo discusses traveling to Tule Lake Concentration Camp, and what life was like there including his job in the fire department. After leaving Tule Lake, Nishikubo went to Cleveland and discusses his experiences there including his job at a…
Hirano begins the interview speaking of his family background, including his mother, father and siblings. At the young age of 4, he was moved to Japan to begin his schooling and would not return to the United States until the end of high school.…
Kawagoye discusses the experiences of the Japanese Americans throughout the war and how their legacy would be instrumental for future generations. He finishes with a message for future generations.
Yoshioka talks about religion and attending Buddhist church, discusses his sister’s name, experiences with discrimination post-war, and his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then talks about the reasons why he volunteered for the…
Tanabe discusses more about his experiences at Tule Lake Concentration Camp and being sent to Topaz Concentration Camp. He details about volunteering for the Army and his first encounter with racism. Tanabe also discusses his experiences at Camp Lee…
Ishida discusses traveling to Tanforan temporary detention facility and Topaz Concentration Camp; the security at Tanforan and Topaz; and his experiences at Topaz including living conditions, recreational activities, and Kibei. He then talks about…
Ishida discusses receiving a Purple Heart and other awards and medals; and shows and describes his honorable discharge papers and a document from President Truman praising him for his service. He then shows a Certificate of Recognition; and shows and…
Kawakami discusses Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Center and Topaz Concentration Camp. Kawakami also discusses being drafted, his experiences in post-war Japan, and the importance in Nisei…
Yoshida discusses his about family, childhood, and education. He details about Pearl Harbor and the immediate aftermath. Yoshida also discusses about his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Center and later at Topaz Concentration Camp.
Kobayashi discusses his family and upbringing. He details Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences with forced removal. Kobayashi also discusses about his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Center and Topaz Concentration Camp. He…
Murakami discusses the unique aspects of her father while growing up such as asking for her opinion on world events. Next, as the Pearl Harbor attacks occurred, her family would discuss loyalty and the war, while the FBI would round up the Issei's…
Murakami continues her discussion on the Topaz concentration camps, including working offsite at an old CCC camp. At this time, a couple of universities in California decided to open up to Japanese in camps, and Murakami chose UC Berkeley. Next, she…
Mitsuo Tominaga talks about the duties performed while in an infantry regiment prior to WWII. Next he describes the Pearl Harbor attack and what it meant to his unit. Lastly he recounts patrols along the California coast looking for a potential…
Masayasu discusses growing up in Sacramento and Martha discusses growing up in Portland. They both speak about their experiences with Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. Masayasu details about his time in Japan during the Occupation. They both discuss…
Katayama discusses his family and what it was like growing up in Ogden, Utah. He details about how he volunteered for the army and his experiences while in the service. Katayama also discusses he experiences post-war.
