Furumoto recalls joining Merrill's Marauders on a secret mission to Burma. He discusses his task of interpreting Japanese soldiers for information, and describes the Battle of Napunga Hill.
Furumoto discusses Roy Matsumoto and the Battle of Napunga Hill. He goes on to describe the diseases he contracted while overseas. He also discusses his participation in creating Black Propaganda.
During this part of the interview Edward Ichiyama recalls attending The Medal of Honor ceremony, as well as being the chief researcher for the AJA Veteran's Council. In addition, he gives details in regard to his friend, Thomas Shiratsuki, and being…
Matsumoto describes being chosen for a secret mission with Merrill's Marauders and his journey from San Francisco to India. Assigned to a group and having gone through training, Merrill's Marauders moved through northern India and into Burma to…
Matsumoto discusses his time serving in the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon in Burma. In his time scouting the Japanese soldiers, Matsumoto was able to utilize his knowledge of many Japanese dialects to gather important strategic information.…
Matsumoto discusses a battle in Nhpum Ga in which the Second Battalion were forced to protect a hill location. Stranded on the hill and running short of water and supplies, Matsumoto spies on the Japanese forces and learns of an attack planned at…
Matsumoto describes his time serving as a master sergeant and helping younger and more inexperienced soldiers cope in battle. Later reflecting on oath and loyalty, Matsumoto gives his thoughts on serving his country and describes discrimination he…
In this segment, Uyemura talks about the military campaigns he participated in during the war. He talks about his experiences in Italy and France and also describes the Champagne Campaign. Another campaign Uyemura took part in was Bruyeres, which he…
Paul discusses his experience during maritime combat including details regarding the threats he faced during wartime. Moreover, Paul talks about the German's wartime strategy and how effective was against the Allied Forces. Paul recalls his…
Kimoto discusses his trip from Hawaii to San Francisco and later the train ride to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. Arriving at Camp Shelby, Kimoto received basic training as part of the engineering unit, and learned how to find and diffuse land mines.…
Kawamoto discusses his basic training and engineer training, the sea voyage to Europe, and his impressions of Italy. He also recalls his first battle, the Lost Battalion, and getting injured.
During this portion of the interview, Henry Nakada gives details regarding his brother's military experience and most importantly, how his mother dealt with having seven boys serving in the military. Next, Henry offers a great amount of detail…
Allan Okamoto recalls joining up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy and their great reputation. He describes the chaos and confusion of his first combat experience and the casualty of one of his squad mates. He also goes over the rations,…
In this segment, Okamoto recounts his brief time sightseeing in France and interacting with the French people. He also shares his experiences of getting trench feet and battle fatigue, aiding in a sneak attack against the Germans, and VE Day. The…
In this segment, Matsuji "Mut" Sakumoto discusses his memories from combat in Europe with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He goes into detail when talking about specific battles and also talks about the mission to rescue the "Lost Battalion."
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his experience in the European Theater. He took part in the beach landing in Anzio, Italy, and met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Rome. His first experience in combat was during the advance to…
Mukai discusses about being assigned to a company, first combat experiences, and his experiences towards the end of the war. He details his relationship with other soldiers. Mukai also discusses about Lecco, Italy, good luck charms, and a friend.
Mr. Kuniyoshi describes his time at Camp Shelby, discussing his role as a squad leader and discusses some of the former members of his squad. He next talks about being shipped to the frontline in Italy and describes a situation in which his platoon…
Sakagami discusses his voyage overseas. He details about his experiences at the Gothic Line. Sakagami also discusses about when he first joined up with the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Takabayashi discusses his experiences from the Gothic Line. He details about surprising the enemy and losing friends. Takabayashi also discusses about finding a dog and taking it home.
Tanaka discusses his experiences in Italy. He details about when the 100th Infantry Battalion joined with 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Tanaka also discusses his interactions with mainland soldiers and the Italian people.
Naito shares recollections of cultural tensions between Hawaiian and mainland soldiers during basic training; and overall race relations during the era. He also discusses his battle experience and what it was like to get wounded in combat. He also…
Kodama discusses more about saving French civilians. He details about his experiences and opinions on the Recuse of The Lost Battalion. Kodama also discusses being sent back to Italy and The Gothic Line. He closes out by stating that he is thankful…
Sato, Wada, and Ito discuss preparing to ship off and the voyage on the Queen Mary. They detail about their experiences in France and the mindset of a replacement. The three also discuss their first experiences with combat.
Sato, Wada, and Ito discuss their interactions with the Italian people and give their impressions of the Hawaiian soldiers. They detail about heading to Italy, The Gothic Line, and encounters with the enemy. The three also discuss a patrol mission.
Yamashita discusses the fighting between the Hawaiian and mainland soldiers, until Earl Finch decided to take some of the Hawaiian soldiers to the American concentration camps to show them what the mainland soldiers were going through. After that,…
Yamashita talks more about his war experiences, including going through France, taking heavy casualties and complete darkness in the Vosges Mountains. There, he would see the power of the German snipers and the courage of the non-commissioned…
Kubota discusses meeting Sus Oshabata at basic training. The two becomes friends when Sus takes care of Kubota when he is sick. In mid-training Sus is selected as jeep driver and goes to a different company. After the war, they remain friends even…
Kubota discusses about digging a trenches for sleeping during wartime and how he suffers from a back injury. In the Vosges Mountain, soldiers are afraid of tree burst from shrapnel. So the trenches are covered to protect them from danger. In the…
Inouye discusses receiving a promotion that he did not not want. He details about having an issue with a commanding officer. Inouye also discusses his combat experiences in Italy.
Inouye discusses learning the realities of war. He details about the landing of Salerno and he also reflects on combat decisions. Inouye also discusses how he got wounded.
Choichi discusses the voyage overseas and landing in Italy. He details about his experiences in Africa, his first combat experience, and the realities of war. Choichi also discusses his duties as the 1st Sergeant and the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Arakaki discusses Akira Sakima and various friends that he made in the Army from his platoon and squad. After this, he talks more about his basic training experiences and how he was assigned to the bazooka team. Once overseas, he would face his first…
Kazuma Taguchi describes a battle in a ravine. He talks about doing guard duty with new recruits. He also continues to talk about the scuffles that the Hawaiian soldiers got into in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He discusses his journey to Camp Kilmer.…
Huberth discusses about the Lost Battalion. He details about the events after the Lost Battalion. Huberth also discusses about experiences with the 141st Infantry Regiment.
Ogawa discusses about combat and experiences in Europe. He reflects on The Lost Battalion and coming home. Ogawa also discusses about his post-war life.
Tahara gives an in-depth description of the rescue of the Lost Battalion in France. He talks about tree bursts and the German soldiers and weapons that he dealt with throughout the war. His duty during the battle would be to carry around a carbine as…
Tokita talks about his rank. He continues to talk about being assigned to H Company. He describes Captain Keegan's leadership. He shares his impressions of Camp Shelby. He discusses his friendships with Mainland soldiers. He talks about USO shows.…
He describes what combat was like in Bruyères, France. He briefly talks about replacement soldiers. He discusses the food that was available on the front line. He describes maintaining hygiene on the front line. He explains how he stole food. He…
Tazoi discusses what basic training was like at Camp Shelby. He details about the relationship between Mainland soldiers and Hawaiian soldiers. Tazoi also discusses his experiences in combat and as a radioman.
Tazoi continues about how he got wounded and the Lost Battalion. He details about his mindset towards combat and he experiences from The Vosages and Bruyeres. Tazoi also details about receiving the Distinguished Service Cross.
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…
Ikari discusses the bonds of the Nisei veterans and how combat brought those bonds much closer. After this, he shows off some of his artifacts from the war, including an M1 rifle tool, a travel order and his discharge papers.
Ichiuji talks about being shipped overseas, first going to Newport News before going on a 28 day convoy to Italy. When arriving in Italy, he would immediately notice the destruction of Naples, and would then move up to Bagnoli, where they would be…
Ichiuji talks more about his combat experiences, going back to Naples to wait for replacements, before being sent back to France, liberating the town of Bruyeres and the rescue of the Lost Battalion. The 522nd would continue on through the French…
Shigeru Inouye discusses his medic training and being an aid man. In late September 1943, Shigeru recalls his first battle in Salerno, Italy. After each combat, he is placed in another company to go to the front lines. He experiences his first…
Watada discusses how the aerial tactics is helpful in clearing the grounds for the United States soldiers to advance forward in combat. Whereas the German soldiers did not have planes to assist them.
Nishimura talks about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He describes his journey overseas and landing in North Africa. He talks about being stationed in North Africa. He discusses his first time in combat. He describes the weather in Italy.…
Nakao discusses his family's forced removal to Tule Lake Incarceration Center, and what it was like visiting them at Tule Lake and at Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp, where they were later sent. He then talks about his time traveling throughout…
Tanaka discusses more about his time in North Africa and landing in Italy. He details about his first day in Italy and other combat experiences. Tanaka also discusses about the mindset during combat and crossing the Volturno. River
Otsuka discusses being drafted and the military training received. He details about his experiences in the military before being transferred to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Otsuka also discusses about his experiences in the European Theatre
Overseas, every two months Ken's company moved to a different area.
Ken's first battle was on Mount Fogarito. In the Headquarters Platoon, Ken did various assignments. One job was to be a litter-bearer and carry the wounded soldiers off the…
Morimoto discusses his experiences participating in the liberation of Bruyeres, including what the terrain was like, and dealing with the constant threat of encountering German soldiers due to the dark and dense forest cover; and also due to the…
Tsuida discusses about going overseas and arriving in Italy. He details about his experiences in combat. Tsuida also talks about the realities of war and the Lost Battalion
Clarence "Matt" Matsumoto discusses basic training and learning about relocation camps. Training with K Company is rough because it is day and night training. He recalls going overseas takes over a month and lands in Italy. On the journey overseas,…
Izui begins his recollection of the 28 day shipment to get to Naples, Italy via the Atlantic Ocean and the initial reactions to arriving in Europe. He talks about the first time he heard gunshots in the distance, and his first day in combat, treating…
Muramaru discusses his training and experiences as a telephone wireman, traveling overseas to Italy, and the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He then talks about corresponding with his family while overseas, discusses going to…
Nohara discusses visiting Rohwer and Jerome incarceration camps, his assignment guarding German POWs who were in Georgia harvesting peanut crops, volunteering to travel overseas to Europe; and his thoughts and reactions to landing in Italy and…
Nakashima discusses the different battles he fights in. He shares his experience in Anzio, Italy and his first combat. One of his duties in Italy is being a first scout and then acting Sergeant. Nakashima never feels he is going to die even when he…
Nakashima discusses encountering a tank and seeing human flesh. Nakashima recalls the worst part of being a soldier is casualties of friends and enemies. Rather than remembering the negative, Nakashima prefers to think of the positive experiences.…
James Jin Kobayashi goes overseas and meets with the 442nd in Southern France. He is part of F Company. He recalls going up the Northern Apennine Mountains and being at the frontlines.
James is at the frontline for two weeks before the…
Nagaki discusses his experiences during a combat patrol, his friendships within his company, and his experiences after the Lost Battalion rescue. He then talks about his interactions with replacement soldiers, his combat experiences after returning…
Nishioka discusses his situation before shipping out, getting upgraded from first scout to a non-commissioned officer but instead deciding to volunteer to be a replacement for the 100th Infantry Battalion. After this, he would get onto a liberty ship…
Nishioka talks more about his combat experiences in Sassetta, where the regiment would be involved in heavy house-to-house combat. He explains the differences between artillery shells and mortar shells and how he was wounded in action by a mortar…
Nishioka talks about his personal history and his encouragement to other veterans to share their story if they can. Next, he talks about reunions, the monument in Los Angeles and the Medals of Honor that were given away fifty years after the fact.…
Yamane continues to describe the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He talks about guarding Hawaii after the attack. He explains how the 100th Infantry Battalion was formed. He discusses his travels through Europe. He describe the journey to…
Yamane describe his journey to Europe. He lists the injuries and casualties in his unit. He talks about medals and awards. He discusses the recognition of Japanese American soldier's accomplishments. He describes his location in Europe and his…
Takahashi talks more about his war experiences in Europe. He discusses the Gothic Line campaign as a walkie talkie man, and shooting his first bullet in Carrara. There, he would see the brutalities of war, seeing one of his best friends get killed…
Takahashi talks about the german weapons that were used against them and the different sights and sounds they heard while getting shot at. After this, he discusses a bit more about his war experiences, including when they were able to have hot…
Sakato discusses his time in France. He details about his experience in combat and death. Sakato discusses about fighting and traveling in the Vosges Mountains.
George and Margaret Oshita talk about George's war experiences, focusing in first on the Lost Battalion campaign. He talks about the intricacies of the battle, with it's cold weather and getting trench foot. After this, he goes back and talks about…
Miyashiro explains his family's means of transportation in Hawaii. He talks about his arrival in Europe. He describes what he did with his military pass. He discusses preparing for combat and his first time in combat. He explains how his unit…
Ichikawa discusses more about his experiences at Camp Shelby and what it entailed to carry a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). He details about his combat experiences in Europe and being wounded. Ichikawa also discusses losing comrades and…
Tsuda talks about facing discrimination after the war and not being served at a gas station. He would go on to volunteer with the Army, get inducted at Fort Douglas and began basic training at Camp Shelby. There, he would join up with E company and…
Tsuda continues his recollection of his experiences overseas including getting trench foot and dealing with cold weather. He next talks about the various campaigns he was involved with including Bruyeres and the experience of liberating that area.…
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…
Okabayashi discusses about volunteering for the Army and his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about being his duties within Cannon Company of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Okabayashi also discusses about going overseas and his first combat…
Oye discusses his first landing in Civitavecchia and the first combat that he saw during the war. He talks about the team that he was with and how they were commanded to put their weapons aside and become litter-bearers to help the medics out. Next,…
Matsushita continues his recollection of his time overseas in combat, including the Lost Battalion campaign in Bruyeres and the Vosges Forest. He would be involved with the combat there and would head to French Riviera to rest while waiting for…
Inada discusses more about his unit detail, going from C Company to K Company as replacements were all moved. He also talks about replacements and his brother that passed away in Europe after the war had ended. Next, he talks about his first combat,…
Inada continues talking about his war experiences, including joining up with I Company, before getting wounded in action. He talks about being in combat and getting a hand injury, causing him to leave and head to a field hospital. There, he begged…
Nishimoto talks more about his war experiences, including seeing German soldiers and the weapons that they used. He talks about his dislike for snipers and wanting to catch one so that he could take care of him himself. Another assignment included…
Kanatani discusses about his family, interactions with Hawaiian soldiers, combat experiences, and being wounded. He details about his religion, the Champagne Campaign, and the Lost Battalion. Kanatani also discusses about George T. "Joe" Sakato and…
Kaneshige discusses being train for rifleman using 30-30 rifle in basic training. he discusses about discrimination in the military. Kaneshige recalls going overseas, his first combat experiences, and Hill 140. In combat, he gets hit by shrapnel and…
Muroshige recounts his parents' encouragement of his service in the U.S. military despite their own allegiance to Japan. He describes the use of various nicknames and racialized terms for Japanese Americans such as "Buddhahead" and "Kotonk". He…
Takashige continues talking about his first day in combat in Salerno, he would immediately be hit with a tree burst that would embed multiple pieces of shrapnel into his back, wounding him and necessitating medical attention. He would rejoin B…
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…
Oura talks about the various combat campaigns that he was involved with and the different experiences he had. He would first go through Belvedere, followed by Livorno-Leghorn and Rome-Arno where they would occupy various villages and do…
Turner talks about the Korean War and the intervention and combat with the Chinese in Ursan, where they sustained heavy casualties along the 38th Parallel. After this, he talks about his war experiences in Vietnam, going in helicopters and…
Mr. Hayashi describes his experiences during basic training, discussing his relationship with the Hawaiian soldiers, his weapons training, and the camaraderie amongst his troop. His battalion was shipped out from Newport News, Virginia and landed in…
Mr. Hayashi offers several stories about his combat experience throughout this section. He first describes the German 88mm artillery gun and being fired upon by it. During this battle, Mr. Hayashi encountered his first American casualty, which had a…
Mr. Hayashi talks about his service throughout France, particularly in the Vosges Mountains region and some of the experiences he had during combat. Mr. Hayashi also describes some funny and memorable encounters including his being mistaken for an…
Mr. Hayashi discusses the morale of his unit after facing heavy combat in France. Soon after this, the unit would return to Italy to join up with the African American 92nd Infantry to help with the offensive campaign. Mr. Hayashi goes on to discuss…
