Takahashi discusses about growing up in Washington. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Takahashi also discusses volunteering for the Army, experiences during basic training, and going overseas. Takahashi details about his families…
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…
A. Takahashi discusses his youth growing up in the Central Valley of California. He talks about his parents' backgrounds, their immigration and characters. He also discusses his interest in aviation and how he enlisted in the military.
Takabayashi discusses the reason he joined the army and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his voyage overseas. Takabayashi also discusses about arriving in France.
Tahara discusses his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, training with other Nisei soldiers, including some Nisei officers that had come from Fort Benning. After this, he discusses the American concentration camps and how the Hawaiian soldiers felt…
Tahara discusses his father's incarceration at Sand Island and the living conditions that he had to deal with there. Next, he talks about his induction into the Army and the processes of getting uniforms and equipment at Schofield Barracks. Following…
Tagawa describes the discrimination he witnessed while living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He talks about his basic training. He discusses military food and relaxation time. He describes his military training. He talks about G Company. He discusses…
Tagami discusses the anti-air cannon that was behind his house, his experiences at Jerome Concentration Camp, and being drafted. He details Japanese units and his military experiences. Tagami also discusses basic training, his experiences in Italy,…
Tabata discusses the aftermath from Pearl Harbor and joining the Army. He details about his early experiences in the Army. Tabata also discusses about heading to the Mainland and experiences at Camp Shelby.
Taba continues with his time after he had joined the Army. After taking a train to Mississippi, he would begin his basic training at Camp Shelby, learning to be an assistant machine gunner. While there, he would join the 100th Infantry Battalion and…
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…
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.
Suzuki discusses leaving Gila River Concentration Camp and going to Chicago. He details about his experiences in Chicago and being drafted. Suzuki also discusses about his experiences in basic training.
Sumida discusses his childhood, family, and Japan Language school. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Sumida also discusses about heading to the Mainland for training and his experiences while there.
After Pearl Harbor, Tadayoshi Sugiyama remembers being cautious and hearing rumors about General Dwight Eisenhower and evacuation orders. In April 1942, the Sugiyama family evacuate to the Turlock Assembly Center in Tracy, California.
At Camp Savage, Robert Sugimoto reports to the Headquarters Company. When Robert joined the Military Intelligence Language School, the classes have already started a few weeks earlier. The class focus on Japanese conversation skills. Robert recalls…
Sugimoto talks about his friendship with Marvin Smith. He discusses the people who supported Japanese Americans amid their forced removal. He describes his family's forced removal. He explains what happened to his family's property after they were…
Sugidono discusses about his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp. He details about being drafted, experiences on the Mainland, and experiences at Camp Shelby. Sugidono also discusses about going to Europe and his early experiences in Europe.
Suga discusses the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack; and talks about the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He also talks about Nisei soldiers; Jewish concentration camps; discusses some of the uncertainties Japanese American faced…
Suehiro continues talking about his experiences during the attacks on Pearl Harbor and afterwards, including facing discrimination and seeing the Varsity Victory Volunteers at the University of Hawaii. Hearing about the 100th/442nd forming, Suehiro…
Minori Sueda recalls his reaction to Pearl Harbor and joining the military. He also talks about volunteering for the 232nd Combat Engineer Unit, basic training, and additional engineer training at Camp Shelby.
Henry Gary Shiota is 19 years old when he is inducted into the Army. Then Gary goes to Camp Maxey, TX, with 25 other Nisei. Gary learns the war is over during his third week at basic training. After eight weeks of basic training, Gary goes to Camp…
Shiosaki begins the interview giving an introduction of himself and his family and how they came from Japan and ended up in Idaho. His father would work on the railroads and the family would live in railroad housing in Fort Hall and in Blackfoot. He…
Shintaku discusses his children, racism, and how time has change with the notion of Japanese culture and products. Shintaku witnesses racism in Denver and goes to Philadelphia. Shintaku's status of 4C is now change to 1A to join the army. He is in…
Shinmoto discusses moving to Burlington, Iowa due to the efforts of War Relocation Authority. His family also moves to Iowa and helps at the Hotel to get away from poor living conditions. At Gila River, Shinmoto recalls taking the loyal…
Shindo discusses his childhood and family. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor and volunteering for the Army. Shindo also discusses about basic training, experiences at Camp Savage, and in Australia.
Shimizu discusses his father's immigration to the United States and his personality. He then talks about his childhood experiences in Japan; his mother's physical traits and personality; returning to the United States at the age of 14; his…
Sumio Frank Shimada shares his experience with the Hawaiian soldiers at Camp Shelby. Frank had a good experience with them and learned how to speak pidgin.
At Camp Shelby, the summer was hot, and the winter was cold. The winter was chiller,…
After Executive Order 9066, Sumio Frank Shimada was forcibly removed to Santa Anita Assembly Center. Frank describes the living conditions and life at the Assembly Center. He found a job in camp making camouflage nets.
Choichi discusses his journey to the Mainland and his experiences at Camp McCoy. He details about going to the World Series and his experiences in Mississippi and Camp Shelby . Choichi also discusses how he spent his free and his friends.
Ray Shiiki is inducted at Fort Douglas, UT then goes to Camp Hood. He is assigned to the Tank Destroyer Outfit. After Camp Hood, he goes to Fort Snelling and is assigned as Supply Sergeant, F Company.
Ray Gerald Shiiki is born January 7, 1927, in Gresham, Oregon. Ray's parents are from Koga, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. They settled in Oregon. He has three sisters and one brother.
Shigenaka discusses about his experiences in Tulare Temporary Detention Center and Gila River Concentration Camp. He details about his family, volunteering, and his thoughts on military service. Shigenaka also discusses about basic training,…
Stanley goes in depth on the training that was received prior to going to Europe. The training began in Mississippi, where Hawaiians and mainland soldiers were first introduced to one another, resulting in slight attitude from both sides. Serikaku…
Serikaku begins by discussing his early life living in Libertyville, Hawaii in Oahu (present day Kahaluu). He speaks about his parents background and their thoughts on American loyalty even before Pearl Harbor. Next, he talks about his experiences…
Senzaki discusses life while at Rohwer Incarceration Camp including describing the climate and scenery and telling stories about when he was a lieutenant at the fire station. He then talks about being recruited to join the 442nd Regimental Combat…
Growing up, Don Seki attended Japanese language school and took Kendo classes. He talks about how he used to walk around barefoot all the time in Hawaii. After volunteering to join the U.S. Army, he was shipped to Camp Shelby for basic training. He…
Tanakatsubo begins the interview talking about his family background and the origin of his name. Growing up in Sacramento, he was exposed to a very diverse population and made for a pretty happy childhood and schooling, including a well-known glee…
Sato discusses the latrines in incarceration camps; talks about his wife's childhood growing up in Hawaii; and discusses Gila River incarceration camp including the living conditions and his job. He then talks about leaving Gila River to go to school…
Masao Sato describes his childhood in Maui. He discusses his experiences while at boarding school. He also talks about his family's educational history. Sato reveals his plans after graduating high school. He talks about being drafted and his time at…
Sato talks about his health and the surgery that he had and the emotions that he has had because of it, which is much different than the Japanese culture he grew up knowing. Next, he talks about being drafted into the Army and being sent to…
Sato, Wada, and Ito discuss their experiences during basic training. They discuss their experiences going into town and discrimination. Lastly, they reference the food they had in basic training and in the American Concentration Camps.
Sasai discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and talks about Japanese community leaders getting picked up by the FBI. He then talks about volunteering for service; discusses the 100th Infantry Battalion and replacement soldiers; talks about training…
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…
Sano talks about his parents; his father's employment as a general contractor on Maui; and his experiences while briefly living in Japan with his mother. He then talks about his home on Maui and living with his grandparents; attending school; and his…
Hitoshi G. Sameshima discusses his training to be an interrogator at Fort Snelling. After completing his training, he goes to Fort Spellman and goes overseas to the Philippines. Hitoshi stays in Manila and Luzon to interview the Prisoners of War for…
Hitoshi G. Sameshima recalls going to Gila in the first part of September. He says the first place you go when you enter camp is the employment office. Hitoshi recalls his interview with Kimiko Murakami. Hitoshi is assigned to be an interviewer since…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto recounts parts of his military service. He begins by discussing his time at basic training before moving on to his unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He elaborates by discussing the chemistry between the…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto begins by discussing his favorite school subjects before elaborating on his interest in history, and specifically military history. He then recalls visiting Gettysburg while stationed on the East coast and how…
Sakoda recalls the time that he spent at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, including describing training exercises, encounters with locals, and experiences with discrimination. He then goes on to discuss traveling to Camp Shelby, and his first experiences…
Mr. Sako describes various instances of prejudice he and his family faced in Utah both before and during the war. Mr. Sako goes on to describe his being drafted into the Army and his various stages of classification due to his knee ailment. After…
Sakato discusses wanting to join the air force but ending up in the army. He details about basic training. Sakato also discusses about traveling on a transport ship and he also gives his opinions and thoughts about the war.
Following the end of the war, Sakamoto would get out of the camp and head back to Los Angeles, where he would get a place with his brother in Bunker Hill and start working at Columbia Records, manning the hydraulic press to make the plastic records.…
Sakaji discusses attending trade school; talks about his knowledge of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion; discusses getting drafted and his induction; and talks about his 4C and 1A classifications. He then talks about basic…
Seichi Sakaida discusses his leaders and squad members. He is in basic training for almost a year before deployment overseas. He lands in Naples, Italy. Seichi is in K Company and the mortar pool unit. His duty is to support the infantrymen.…
Seichi Sakaida serves with the 442nd in K Company. He is born July 9, 1922, in Ookala, HI. At a young age, his family moves to Molokai, and he grows up on the plantations. Seichi's parents are from Yamaguchi Kan prefecture in Japan and his mother is…
Sakai discusses the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers; talks about the Hawaiian soldiers who visited incarceration camps in Arkansas; and describes the term, "katonk". Teruya then discusses a song sang by Hawaiian soldiers; talks…
Sakagami discusses more about his experiences at Pindale, but also his time at Tule Lake. He details about being drafted and basic training. Sakagami also discusses about the period before he was shipped out.
Saito discusses his experiences at basic training at Camp Blanding; talks about preparing to go overseas; and discusses his experiences at Camp Blanding during a hurricane. Next, Saito talks about his experiences with discrimination; talks about his…
Saito starts this segment discussing mass media communication differences between two rival newspapers in Honolulu. Saito also discusses his military basic training and how his military assignment changed from rifleman to mail clerk. He talks about…
Joe Saito discusses conditions at Camp Shelby and shares experiences. At basic training he describes the relationship between Mainland boys and Hawaiian boys. Saito parts ways with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team when he arrives at Camp Meade…
Joe Saito discusses his childhood activities with his brothers and child rearing. He contributes the Japanese identity and values to his upbringing. Saito decides to volunteers for service and he goes to basic training. While in training, he is…
Saiki discusses his experiences being a Hawaii Territorial Guard after Pearl Harbor attack and how he enlisted in the 442 Regiment after he declined joining the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He talks about how his family reacted to his enlisted. He…
Saiki discusses more about his childhood years, including festivals where the local children would be able to try sumo wrestling and win prizes. He would attend Kauai High School and talks about his whereabouts during the Pearl Harbor attacks. His…
Robinson Jr. and the interviewers introduce themselves. Robinson shares stories from the front lines. He talks about his parents. He describes his early life in Maine. He discusses his childhood education. He talks about his work on his family farm.…
Peterson discusses his father and his immigration to the United States from Sweden; talks about his mother; discusses speaking Swedish at home; and discusses his childhood including talking about religion, his community, classmates, and his…
Ozaki begins the interview with an introduction of his family background, his family coming from Wakayama prefecture in Japan and eventually settling in Eau Gallie, Florida. After this, he talks about his whereabouts when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor…
Oye continues his recollection of joining the Army by taking his brothers draft spot and reporting to Camp Robinson. He would first begin his training there before being sent to Camp Crowder to begin training with the Quartermaster Corps, and not…
Oura discusses about his family, childhood, and growing up in Hawaii. He details about the coffee farm and his schooling. Oura also discusses about Pearl Harbor, Its aftermath, and his experiences in the National Guard. Oura discusses about his…
Oura discusses more about the discrimination he saw while in Mississippi and the struggles between the Hawaiian and mainland soldiers. He also talks about his captain that made a big difference in training them and readying them for battle. He and…
Akira Otani continues to talk about the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He describes joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He discusses an assembly at the Iolani Palace. He talks about leaving Hawaii and his journey to the Mainland. He describes…
Oshita continues talking about her children and grandchildren, and the values that were passed down to them. She continues to be the secretary for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team club. Next, they talk about keeping the support for the history of the…
Oshiro begins the interview with a short introduction and talking about his whereabouts during the Japanese surrender during World War Two. Next, he talks about his childhood, growing up in Hawaii and being brought up with a heavy influence of…
Oshiro describes the 1946 tsunami that hit Hilo and the surrounding areas. He talks about being inducted into the Army. He discusses the surrender of Japan and his subsequent journey to Japan. Oshiro talks about his time with the Counter Intelligence…
Oshiro continues to discuss volunteering for the military. He describes his journey to Camp Shelby. He talks about being assigned to a unit. He briefly talks about his basic training. He describes the relationship between the Hawaiian soldiers and…
Osaka discusses his family and childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Osaka also discusses about his experiences at Puyallup Temporary Detention Center, Minidoka Concentration Camp, and his early experiences in the military.
Bright and Sam continue their recollection of the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Their stepfather would be taken in by the FBI and they had to continue working until they heard about Executive Order 9066. With that, they were forced to evacuate their…
Omoto discusses working while in [Poston] incarceration camp; discusses the loyalty questionnaire he had to take; experiences with discrimination while traveling to his induction; and his father’s thoughts regarding pro-Japan interests. Next, Omoto…
Yukio Okutsu volunteers for military service and experiences boot camp at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He then participates in active combat in Africa and Italy.
Okubo discusses how Hawaii is fortunate that there is no interment camps like the Mainland after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. However, the Japanese Community Leaders and Buddhist Priests are rounded up. Okubo reflects why this…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada discusses more of his training before eventually shipping out to go overseas. Okada recounts his group going through basic training under a strict colonel at Fort Blanding and persevering until there was a mutual…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his training to become a linguist with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). First, Okada attended MIS Language School at Camp Savage in Minnesota before receiving a two-week furlough. During that…
Okada discusses sister and being volunteer evacuee. Before Okda tries to enroll for service but is unable to. The second time he is drafted and joins the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in France. Okada recalls basic training, going overseas, getting…
Sukeo “Skeets” Oji was at Gila for a short time before attending school fall of 1942. The 442nd formed in early 1943, and in September 1943, Skeets was called to active duty. He went to Camp Shelby, and he was assigned Heavy Weapons.
George Oiye describes experiences of discrimination, lack of personal relationships, and going to college. Next, he talks about community reactions to Pearl Harbor and the feelings about the west coast evacuation of Japanese Americans. Lastly, he…
Oishi begins the interview with his family background and moving to Hawaii from Hiroshima. He would grow up in Kona, Hawaii working at the family farm and then for his aunt at her grocery store, all while attending school and Japanese language…
Ohta begins the interview with an introduction and talking shortly about his family background, his parents being from Maui. Next, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii up until the Pearl Harbor attacks. After that, he would join the…
Ogawa discusses about joining the Army and the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. He details about traveling to Arkansas and basic training. Ogawa also discusses about the Nisei units and first assignment stateside.
Ogata discusses about his family, home life, and childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor, aftermath, being drafted, and its induction experience. Ogata also discusses about his experiences at Camp Blanding and heading overseas. He also details about…
Oda discusses his time in Mississippi, doing his basic training with the 442nd Regiment. There he would marvel at the amount of pine trees and the humidity of the South and would see the color segregation that was evident in the South. He would…
Nunotani discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. He goes on to explain how his college education was interrupted by the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Nunotani talks about how he decided to enlist despite discrimination against Japanese Americans. He…
Nohara talks about family friends, his thoughts about the war in Europe prior to the United States' involvement, his duties while employed as a warden; and volunteering for the Army and being sent to Camp Shelby. He then talks about volunteering for…
Nishioka first discusses the prejudice that he saw when he arrived in Mississippi and the segregation on the buses, which he found deeply unfair. He also talks about the different things he encountered while in basic training, such as snakes,…
Hiro Nishimura remembers the events and consequences surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He is drafted into the army and experiences segregation before serving in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). His family experiences forced removal to…
Nishimura and the interviewers introduce themselves. He describes his early life in Hawaii. He talks about his parents and siblings. He describes his involvement in sports. He describes his religious background. He talks about the social activities…
Nishimoto talks about his family’s forced removal and what happened to his family’s store and property during that time; living conditions and life at Fresno temporary detention facility; playing in a band while in an incarceration camp; and his…
Nishimoto talks more about his time at Camp Shelby for his basic training, including the mental and physical challenges and the inner spirit that made the Nisei soldiers so balanced. He also talks about the responsibilities of being a sergeant and…
Nishimoto discusses facing discrimination when in the South, taking leave in Mississippi and seeing all the segregation between white and colored. Next, he talks about his decision to join the Army, volunteering with friends, not even telling his…
Nishikubo talks about his time at Camp Blanding, including getting passes into town, his experiences with discrimination, and basic training duties. He then talks about getting his assignment to go overseas and traveling to Europe, discusses a friend…
Nishijima describes his experience volunteering for the army and his time at the Military Intelligence Service Language School. He also talks about his experience at Camp Savage, as well as shipping out overseas.
