Kawahara discusses his father and home life. He details his childhood, hobbies, and life during the Great Depression. Kawahara also discusses his high school years and more about aviation.
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura discusses learning his family history through relatives. His father, Yaichi Miyamura, and mother were from Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan. He immigrated to Gallup, N.M. briefly before returning to Japan to bring Hershey's mother…
Archilla discusses his childhood in Puerto Rico and New York. He details about his family and Pearl Harbor. Archilla also discusses about enlisting into service, basic training, and his pilot combat missions in Europe
Tso discusses his family, childhood, and growing up on a Navajo Reservation. He details about his educational experiences. Tso also discusses about being drafted and all his training experiences.
Herzig-Yoshinaga discusses what it was like growing up in California and her family. She details about what food they ate at home. Herzig-Yoshinaga also discusses about her schooling and the community she grew up in.
Kanegai discusses his family, being the eldest son, and going to Japanese language school. He details about visiting Japan and the death of his mother. Kanegai also discusses about his favorite memories growing up, values, and social activities.
Mr. Yamane introduces himself and describes what Honolulu was like when he was growing up, as well as what brought his father to settle in Hawaii.Mr. Yamane discusses his father's success as a businessman and describes the multiple businesses that…
Mr. Sako discusses his childhood growing up in his home near the copper mill in Arthur, Utah. He describes day to day life and activities, like his mother's cooking, bathing, and childhood games in the nearby hills. Mr. Sako discusses the make-up of…
Mr. Sako introduces himself and talks about his father and mother's background in Japan and what brought them to the United States. Mr. Sako's father found work in a copper mill, settling the family in rural Arthur, Utah. Mr. Sako describes his life…
Hinatsu discusses what it was like growing up in Portland, Oregon. He details about his experiences Minidoka Concentration Camp. Hinatsu also discusses his experiences during basic training. He also details about the mindset during combat
Matsumoto discusses his family and childhood growing up in Maui. He details about social activities and childhood activities he participated in. Matsumoto also discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it.
Kubota discusses his family and growing up in Kailua. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Kubota also discusses enlisting into the service and his experiences Camp Shelby. Kubota gives insight about being wounded.
Nishihara discusses what it was like growing up in Maui. He details about joining the Hawaiian National Guard and his experiences while in the National Guard. Nishihara also discusses the journey to becoming the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Seiso Kamishita describes attending Japanese language school, about his high school experience, and about not being able to go to college because of his father. Kamishita also discusses pre-war tensions between Japan and the United States, the…
Mr. Seiso Kamishita describes his personal history and family background. He talks about his siblings, childhood, and growing up poor. He also describes his education background.
Mrs. Kato was raised on a farm in Nebraska and describes her early childhood growing up in the rural community of North Platte. Mrs. Kato volunteered to join the Women's Army Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor, where she served with the…
Mr. Estes describes his life growing up in rural Georgia and his decision to join the military following the Pearl Harbor attack. Assigned as a mortarman, Estes moved up the ranks eventually becoming platoon sergeant. Estes was part of the Lost…
Mr. Saiki discusses how his family came to the United States and his early life growing up in Stockton, California. His parents first worked in Hawaii before coming to California and working on a farm in the Sacramento Delta. Eventually the family…
Mr. Mitsui introduces himself, discusses his family's background, and describes his childhood growing up in the small mountain town of Skykomish, Washington. Mr. Mitsui describes his connection to the Japanese culture and the role that isolation…
Nishijima discusses his experiences at Granada (Amache) incarceration camp including discussing his father's job; flags; school; recreational activities such as playing baseball and watching movies; and making mochi. He then talks about his father…
Matsuda discusses his family, childhood neighborhood and home. He details different aspects of his childhood including schooling, social activities, education, and friends. Matsuda also discusses his life after high school and remembering December 7,…
Yamamoto discusses his parents and their immigration to the United States; talks about his father's employment; and tells some of his memories from childhood including his experiences during the Great Depression, working on a farm, friendships, and…
Mr. Black discusses his childhood growing up in southern California and his involvement with the Methodist church and orchestra. Mr. Black recounts his hearing the news of the Pearl Harbor attack and how he viewed Japanese-Americans at that time.…
Kuida begins the interview by giving brief introduction into his family background and growing up in Gardena, including Japanese language school and household decor. Next, he begins his background on his mother and father, both of whom immigrated…
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.
Mr. Kobashigawa introduces himself and talks about his family and childhood. He grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii, his father worked as a truck farmer, and Mr. Kobashigawa played baseball throughout his youth. Forced to drop out of school at a…
After the passing of Ray Mayeda's mother, Ray's father sent his two sisters and younger brother to live in Japan with their grandmother. Later, Ray's father and Ray went to live in Japan too. After living in Japan for a few years, in 1939, Ray…
Ray Kuniteru Mayeda was born on October 18, 1922. His parents were from Kagoshima prefecture before immigrating to the United States. Ray's father came from a family of educators in Japan.
In the United States, Ray's father was a successful farmer…
When World War Two ended, Ray Kuniteru Mayeda attended the University of Minnesota for a year, and his finances were running low. Therefore, he decided to volunteer for two years and enlisted when he was in Chicago. Ray went to basic training at Camp…
Jumpei "Jumpy" Mine is born on August 4, 1920, in Montebello, CA. Jumpei's father is a hard-working man. Jumpei's mother, Jen Mine, passes away early.
Jumpei grows up in Montebello and helps his father with farming. Jumpei's favorite sport is…
Kawakami discusses his family and childhood. He details meeting an uncle in Japan and his experiences during the Great Depression. Kawakami also discusses his experiences with prejudice.
Hayashi recounts his family and childhood growing up on a plantation in Hawaii. He describes working with his parents on the plantation and later jobs he worked to try to make a living wage. Hayashi was drafted into the 65th Engineer Battalion in…
H. Harada discusses his youth living in Seattle. He talks about his parents and activities they did as a family. He also shares his recollections of of the Pearl Harbor attack and the aftermath he and his family endured.
Azumano discusses his childhood and social activities. He details his experiences with higher education and his post college life. Azumano also discusses being drafted and the aftermath from Pearl Harbor.
Takeuchi discusses about his family and his childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, being drafted, and basic training. Takeuchi also discusses about his experiences at Fort Snelling, his experiences in occupied Japan, and his…
Kaseguma discusses his family and childhood. He details his experiences attending Japanese language school and college. Kaseguma also discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath.
Ko Stanley Sameshima is born December 6, 1921, in Long Beach, California. Ko's parents are Issei from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His father immigrates to the United States at seventeen years old with dreams of a better future with his younger…
Kawamoto discusses his parents and siblings. He details about his home life and education. Kawamoto also discusses about his hobbies and what is was like to grow up on California.
Ishikawa discusses his family and upbringing. He details about Pearl harbor and its aftermath. Ishikawa also discusses about volunteering for service and his brief experiences with Japanese Prisoners of War.
Momoda discusses about his family and growing up in Seattle, Washington. He details about his education, the business he ran and working in Alaska. Momoda also discusses about being drafted, basic training and his experiences in France.
Janet Brown Hardwick and Susan Hardwick come from a family of men who serves their country. Their great-grandfather serves in the Civil War, and their father, Bill Hardwick, is part of the 36th Infantry Regiment during World War Two. Following their…
Oshiro discusses his childhood and family. He details his employment and remembering December 7, 1941. Oshiro also details about volunteering for service.
Airheart discusses his family and childhood. He details about his hometown, being drafted, and basic training. Airheart also shares his experience going overseas, the equipment he carried, and his combat experiences.
Wilson discusses his combat experiences in Europe. He details about his experiences at Camp Carson and post-war life. Wilson also discusses about his family and keepsakes.
Wilson discusses his childhood, joining the Army and experiences during basic training. He details his combat experiences in Italy and France. Wilson also discusses his knowledge of the Japanese American Units.
Fujimoto talks about moving to a different house after high school, discusses his siblings, and talks about how his sister helped him with school work. He then talks about food he ate during his childhood, his family’s religion, attending Japanese…
Hirayama discusses about his childhood and schooling. He details about food, building a canoe, and growing in Hawaii. Hirayama also discusses about his career, being self-driven, and Sparky Matsunaga.
Hirayama discusses about his family. He details about childhood and the values he was taught. Hirayama also discusses about his schooling and growing up in Kauai (Maui), Hawaii.
The Harada's discuss about Joe's family and childhood. They detail about how Joe was recruited to the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). The Harada's also detail about Joe's experiences on Iwo Jima.
Iwataki discusses his nickname, parents, his father's business, and his family in Japan. He then talks about how his parents met, his mother, and discipline during his childhood. Next, Iwataki talks about his siblings; and discusses his childhood…
The conversation continues on what it was like to grow up on a farm with nine siblings. Tsuneishi talks about the sleeping arrangements, spare time and chores. Next, he talks about the Japanese language school he attended, as well as his high school…
Takayama discusses about family, growing up in Pasadena, and plying baseball with Jackie Robinson. He details about being drafted, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Takayama also discusses about being reassigned and helping others learning how to…
Fujimoto gives a brief overview of his life and discusses his family. He details about his life growing up in California. Fujimoto also discusses about his parents experiences with forced removal.
Ikeda discusses how he got his nickname; and talks about his parents and growing up on a farm in Clovis, California. He then talks about playing softball, high school, attending Japanese language school, and religion. Lastly, Ikeda recalls being at…
Shimoyama discusses his father including talking about helping his father with his gardening business after school. He then talks about his mother and siblings; and recalls spending time on Hollywood Boulevard as a child and being neighbors with John…
Yoshida discusses his family and childhood. He details his life after high school graduation, Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Yoshida also discusses about his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Amache Concentration Camp. He…
Uchima his family, childhood, and upbringing. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences during the war. Uchima also discusses about volunteering for serv
Kaneshiro discusses his family, being raised by a single parent, and other aspects of his childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Kaneshiro also discusses his employment and his life during World War Two.
Mr. Tsubota introduces himself and discusses his parents background and what brought them to settle in Kent, Washington. There was a strong Japanese community in Kent, and Mr. Tsubota talks about the various cultural activities his family took part…
Hiro Nishimura grows up attending Japanese language school and public school with many different races of children. He also experiences enough racial discrimination to consider moving to Japan. He also speaks about employment and attending college.
Kawamoto discusses his youth and early adulthood in Kaimuki, Hawaii. He talks about his family's living conditions and his recollections of the Pearl Harbor. He also talks about how his mother was widowed before his birth and how his older half…
Shiozaki discusses what it was like growing up in Westport, Oregon and his family. He details about his home life . Shiozaki also discusses about his schooling and father's job.
Tamashiro discusses about his family and childhood.
He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Tamahiro also discusses about photography, joining the Army, going to the Mainland, and experiences at Camp Shelby.
Nukuto discusses about his family. He details about moving to Japan and his experiences while there. Nukuto also discusses about his educational experiences.
Kaihara discusses his parents origins. He talks about his community and primary school experiences. He also explains what he did with his leisure time as a child. Thomas Kaihara talks about his relationships with family members. He describes his…
Kurata discusses his parents and his other family members. He also details what it was like growing up in Lodi, California. Kurata discusses his educational experiences.
Uratsu discusses about his upbringing, the values instilled in him, and religion. He details about his siblings, morality, and his high school experiences. Uratsu also discusses about December 7, 1941.
Uratsu discusses about his parents, their personalities, and his childhood farm. He details about farming and some of his childhood activities. Uratsu also discusses about baseball.
Miyamoto describes his childhood in Merced County, California. His recollections include playing with neighbors and busing to school, and helping out with family farming and participating in the Cortez Growers' Association. In high school he took an…
Kaji discusses about his name and family. He details about childhood and Boyle Heights. Kaji also discusses about the Great Depression and his home life.
Horino discusses about his shyness, childhood, and schooling. He details about moving to Hollywood and life after high school. Hornio also discusses about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath.
Janet Nakakihara and Janice Yokoyama Trubitt are nieces of Private First Class Sadao S. Munemori, the Medal of Honor recipient. Janet's mother, Yuriko (oldest), and Janice's mother, Kikuyo (youngest), are siblings of Sadao.
Charles "Charley" Toyoji Ijima is born on January 8, 1925, in Makaweli, Kauai, Hawaii. His family lives on a sugar cane plantation. His parents are from Niigata Prefecture of Japan. Charley's father, Shozo Ijima, comes to Hawaii by himself first.…
Oda discusses growing up in Portland, Oregon circa 1920-1940. He shares memories from youth and adolescence. Oda also talks about how his parents settled in Portland and his father's business dealings.
Ethel Uchida describes her childhood and memories of her family including the values her father instilled in her. She also describes her childhood wish to study in Japan and her subsequent employment there during the occupation.
Taketa discusses about his family and growing up on Kailua-Kona. He details about his schooling and childhood. Taketa also discusses about religion and vales taught.
Mukai discusses what activities that served as childhood entertainment. Mukai details about fishing as a child. Mukai also discusses his experiences with education.
Miya discusses his prefecture origin and changing his last name from Miyagishima to Miya. He feels that Miya would be easier for his friends to pronounce. Growing up, his family are Christians. The Miya family does not tend church regularly due to…
Tommy Masakazu Mayekawa is born on April 22, 1921, in Hawthorne, CA. Tommy's parents are from Mie-ken, Japan. When Tommy's father immigrates to the United States, he works on the railroads and truck farming.
Hamada discusses his grandfather's immigration to the United States and his work on the transcontinental railroad; discusses his grandmother; and talks about his parents. He then talks about both his maternal and paternal grandparents; discusses his…
Hattori discusses about his parents, family dynamic, and religion. He details about identifying as American, growing up in Monterey, California, and different aspects of his childhood. Hattori also discusses about hard-hat diving.
Yamasaki discusses what it was like growing up. He details how he joined the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). Yamasaki discusses about the brief period of time he stayed in Japan as a child.
Yamada discusses about his family, briefly living in Japan, and growing up in Kahului, Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and being drafted. Yamada also discusses about joining the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), his…
Moto discusses about her life growing. She details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Moto discusses about her name, meeting her husband, and her husband being upgrading to the Medal of Honor.
Moto discusses about his neighborhood and the values he was taught. He details about his childhood, schooling, and growing up. Moto also discusses about his father and college.
Fukushima talks about his experiences as a youth briefly living in Japan circa 1930; he had lived, and traveled, between Wakayama, Osaka, and Tokyo. He describes cultural differences and similarities between the Japanese and Japanese Americans. He…
Doi discusses corresponding with his wife while he was in Japan; talks about his first impressions of Japan; and discusses some of his experiences with Japanese citizens. He then talks about his involvement with the Civil Information and Education…
Hara discusses about his childhood, household, and growing up during the Great Depression. He details about his family, schooling, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Hara also discusses about volunteering for the Army, joining the Military Intelligence…
Suehiro discusses about his family, childhood, and schooling. He details about Pearl Harbor, volunteering for the Army, and experiences at Camp Shelby. Suehiro also discusses about the Lost Battalion rescue, getting wounded and The Gothic Line.…
Kashiwagi talks about his early life in Hayward, California. He describes his parents, siblings, and family farm. He discusses his community of Knights Landing, California. He talks about what he did in his childhood leisure time. Kashiwagi also…
Yokoi discusses his family and childhood. He details about being drafted and his life after high school. Yokoi also discusses about Pearl Harbor, his reaction, and the aftermath.
Tojo discusses about Hawaii, childhood, and the term Go For Broke. He details about mindset during combat and the pre-war atmosphere. Tojo also Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
Yokoyama discusses about his family and childhood. He details about his schooling. Yokoyama also discusses about the values taught to him and living in his hometown.
Matsuo discusses about growing up in Aala Park and his family. He details about Sansei and Yonsei, as well as his experiences growing up poor. Matsuo also discusses about his current state in life.
