His favorite teacher is Ms. Monroe (first grade teacher). Ms. Monroe treats him like a student and did not show racism. She also promotes him to the second grade.

At home Willie speaks Japanese and English. He also learns Spanish to speak to the farm workers. On occasions, Willie visits Mexico because a food and things are less expensive.

After graduating from San Benito High School, Willie works on the farm for a few year before going to the Army Air Corp. Willie shares his basic training experiences.]]>
Tanamachi, Willie: narrator
]]>
Horsting, Robert: interviewer
]]>
Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2006-05-19]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Houston, Texas]]>
Community activities]]> Identity and values--Issei]]> Industry and employment--Small business]]> Social activities--Motion pictures]]> Kunitomi, Yoshisuke Jack: narrator]]> Dojiri, Michelle: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2002-04-21]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Los Angeles, California]]>
Taira's father is Buntaro Fukushima, and he was born on August 2, 1881. Taira's father comes from a farming community in Japan. Taira's father works hard and is an honest man.

Taira's mother, Maru Tateyama Fukushima, is a picture bride from Japan. Taira's mother cooks the family meals and he recollects always getting green apples. Taira says his mother will sacrifice anything for their children. During the summertime, Taira and his three siblings ask for ice cream. As a child, Taira thinks his mother doesn't likes ice cream. However, she loves ice cream. Taira's mother does not eat the ice cream to save it for the children.

Growing up, the Fukushima family is Buddhist. At Japanese language school, the Buddhist Priest would teach the classes. Sometimes the school's space is used for shows or Japanese movie screenings with a narrator. Taira says these are the social activities that parents and children enjoy. Another childhood activity Taira enjoys is playing with his neighborhood friends Eddie Harvey and Susumu Kitano.

Taira discusses his school years at Hobart Boulevard School, Berendo Junior High School, and John H. Francis Polytechnic High School. Furthermore, he attends Japanese language school after school.

]]>
Fukushima, Taira: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Identity and values--Family]]> Social activities]]> Education]]> Hawaii-- Pearl Harbor and aftermath]]> Muranaka, Reynold: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2009 November 08]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Lakewood, Washington ]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Social activities]]> Japan--Pre-World War II]]> Education]]> Miyahara, Maki: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2009 January 14]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Funai, Masaru: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2008 November 21]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Glenview, Illinois ]]>
Later, Ko's father goes to Japan to get married and returns to the United States. Ko recalls his childhood in Los Angeles, CA. Ko's home life is minimalistic and his parent works hard to provide for their three children (Ko, Chiko, and Akira). Ko describes his father as the disciplinarian and his mother as nurturing. They are very proud of their children.

The success of Sameshima's produce market allows the family to travel to Japan during the Great Depression. For six months the Sameshima family live in Japan. Ko shares his experience of attending a Japanese School.

After returning from Japan, Ko's parents restart their produce market. Ko describes the Crenshaw district during that period. ]]>
Sameshima, Ko Stanley: narrator]]> Yuge, Tim: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> Oral Histories]]>

Seichi describes growing up on a plantation in Molokai and being near a Leper Colony. Seichi attends Molokai Elementary School, Molokai Intermediate School, and Molokai High School. Throughout his school years, he participates in sports and the plantation league.

After graduating High School, he works on the plantation at the auto repair shop. He recalls December 7, and the restrictions that are in effect after the Pearl Harbor attack. Seichi volunteers for the military. When he passes his physical he is sent to Schofield barracks.

Seichi goes overseas to the Mainland for basic training at Camp Shelby. Seichi discusses his basic training experience and segregation in Mississippi. ]]>
Sakaida, Seichi: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Identity and values--Family]]> Japan--Pre-World War II]]> Industry and employment]]> Kubo, Harry: narrator]]> Dojiri, Michelle: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2003 January 26]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]>
Frank grows up during the Great Depression. Although money is hard to earn during the Great Depression, Frank's father buys a house for around $2,000. Asians could not own homes or property because of the Alien Land Law. After camp, Frank's sister's name is on the deed because she is an American citizen.

The Matsuda family lives in the community of Ballard in Seattle. The demographic is predominately Scandinavian. Frank remembers there are four Japanese American families plus them. Frank has many friends on 69th Street.

Frank recalls December 7 and the evacuation orders, Executive Order 9066 (EO9066). He says the Japanese Americans becomes the most hated people after Pearl Harbor. The Matsuda family goes to Puyallup and Minidoka. He describes the living conditions and provisions in camp.

Frank did not stay at Minidoka for long. He takes the opportunity to work on a sugar beet farm in Idaho. Later he goes to Salt Lake City to work at a meatpacking company and restaurant. ]]>
Matsuda, Frank Tadao: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

Lillian's father is Tsuyoshi Inouye, and her mother is Yayoi Inouye. They have six children in the family. Lillian grows up in a neighborhood that is primarily Japanese American and Chinese. Although Lillian's family is more westernized, she recalls some Japanese traditions practiced during New Year.

Lillian's husband is John Takehisa Matsudaira. He is born November 26, 1922, in Seattle, Washington. John's father is Tokohisa Matsudaira, and his mother is Hatori Umeda Matsudaira. John's parents are from Kanazawa, Japan. They have fourteen children. John is the oldest child in the family, and there is about a 20 year age gap between the siblings.

After school, Lillian helps out at the family restaurant. She rarely has free time. Lillian also attends Japanese School for six years. The neighborhood children are her friends.

John is a loner during his school years. He has many interests and enjoys reading books. John lived in Japan for about five years and started his artwork in Japan. He returns to the United States when he is 12 years old.

Lillian recalls December 7 and evacuation. She describes the atmosphere and preparations made for camp.]]>
Matsudaira, Lilian: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Identity and values--Family]]> Social activities]]> Military service]]> Kawanishi, Isamu: narrator]]> Horsting, Robert: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2007 July 14]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]>
The late 1920s was the Great Depression, and everyone struggled to survive. Farmers were making about ten cents an hour. In the 1930s, the family moved to Perkins (east of Sacramento). Their family friend suggested to Skeets' father to venture into hops. However, that venture failed.

During Skeets' elementary school years, he attended Japanese Language School. When the family moved to Perkins, he attended Sacramento High School. He was active in sports and participated in a Nisei football league. In 1936, Skeets graduated high school and applied to Sacramento Junior College after a year of farming.

Living in Perkins, their farm was near a naval air forces base. Skeets recalls seeing the airplanes fly by and aspired to be an aviator and an officer of the United States Army. In early 1940, the United States was preparing for war. A civilian pilot program was offered at school, and Skeets was accepted into the program. After completing the first and second phases, he was waiting for the third phase, instrument flying and long distant country flying. However, Skeets did not complete his training because Skeets got drafted into the Army. On November 6, 1941, Skeets reported to Presidio Monterey for induction.
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Oji, Sukeo: narrator]]> Yee, Govan: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

Charley has seven siblings. He describes life going up on a plantation. When Pearl Harbor is bombed, he discusses the restrictions and rations that occur. After high school, Charley volunteers for the 442nd and enlisted at Schofield Barracks. His three other brothers also join the service later. ]]>
Ijima, Charles Toyoji: narrator]]> Yamagami, Don: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>

As a child, he worked on the farm, and gradually he did more farm labor. The homelife of the Miyamoto family was more westernized and the primary language was English. Maya gave examples of not using chopsticks or taking off their shoes in the house.

On December 7, 1941, Maya heard the news of Pearl Harbor on the radio at home. Two of his brothers were already in the Army service. As a child, Maya did not think much about the effects of war and carried on like usual. The aftermath of Pearl Harbor became more significant when the FBI came to their home and evacuation to Poston, Arizona.

In 1944 Maya went to Phoenix, AZ, for his induction. After completing basic training, Maya was sent to Mobile Intelligence at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, to teach all kinds of weapons from Germany and Japan. Later, Maya was assigned to the Counter Intelligence Group and went to CIC Headquarters at Camp Holabird, Maryland, for training.

In November or December of 1945, Maya landed in Atsugi Field. This was his first time traveling to Japan and leaving California. Maya recalls that the culture and customs were different from the United States. After Atsugi, Maya went to Tokyo. He describes the devastation he saw in the towns and cities. Maya visited the CIC detachment in Chiba where he saw his friend. His friend who worked in Graves Registration was looking for bodies of fliers in Chiba, wondering if they were killed or beheaded.


]]>
Miyamoto, Maya: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]>
Hawaii-- Pearl Harbor and aftermath]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Immigration and citizenship--Picture brides]]> Education--Secondary education]]> Education--Japanese language schools]]> Industry and employment--Domestic Service]]> Miyake, Michael: narrator]]> Demonteverde, Marie: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2002 January 27]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]> Education]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Social activities]]> Doi, Masato: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2003 September 26]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Hawaii]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Kawagoye, Mitsunori: narrator]]> Hawkins, Richard: interviewer ]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2007 March 24]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Matsui, Takashi: narrator]]> Okinaka, Bobby: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2001 September 01]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Seattle, Washington ]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Tsukahara, Ted: narrator]]> Tagami, Steve: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2001 March 25]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Kaneshige, Juno: narrator]]> Okitsu, Walter: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2005 October 21]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Honolulu, Hawaii]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Industry and employment--Agriculture]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Tanaka, Hiroshi: narrator]]> Garvey, John: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2005 September 27]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Las Vegas, Nevada ]]> Education--Japanese language schools]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Social activities]]> Inada, Kenneth: narrator]]> Miyamoto, Phil: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2005 September 26 ]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Las Vegas, Nevada]]> Arts and literature]]> Military service--Veteran history]]> Identity and values]]> Ichiuji, Joseph: narrator]]> Kawata, Ian: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> US Army Center of Military History: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 1999 June 28]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Identity and values]]>
Tanaka's Mother is a picture bride. She passes away in 1939 when Tanaka is eight years old. His Grandfather moves in to take care of the kids when the Father is working. He recalls corresponding with his girl cousins in the Philippines. When Japan occupies the Philippines, they keep the girls because they know English. They eventually get sent to Japan when America invades the Philippines and took over.

Growing up in Hawaii, Tanaka describes the neighborhood as camps, family run stores, and no restaurants. He says people mainly eat at home and he does not recall eating out. At home, Tanaka's meals consist of rice, pork, and vegetables. The community is mainly Americans of Japanese Ancestry so he did not experience discrimination. Tanaka attends Japanese Language school from kindergarten to 12 grade. He learns the language, loyalty to the country, being good kids, reading and writing.

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Tanaka, Harry: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 April 16]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]>
Identity and values--Family]]> Immigration and citizenship--Picture brides]]> Immigration and citizenship]]> Education--Japanese language schools]]> Iso, James: narrator]]> Wasserman, Steven: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004-03-21]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Rancho Cordova, California]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Identity and values--American Japanese]]> Race--Race relations]]> Yokote, Shigeo: narrator]]> Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 March 20]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Rancho Cordova, California ]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Education]]> Social activities]]> Yano, Robert: narrator]]> Wasserman, Steven: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 March 06]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Fresno, California ]]> Education]]> World War II--Pearl Harbor and aftermath]]> Identity and values--Family]]> World War II--American Concentration Camps--Gila River]]> World War II--Military service--Basic training]]> Mori, Frank Sadao: narrator]]> Leivici, Joanne: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2006 August 18]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Identity and values--Family]]> Hawaii-- Pearl Harbor and aftermath]]> Social activities]]> Arakaki, Alfred: narrator]]> Anzai, Irene: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Toyota: sponsor]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2003 September 28]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Identity and values--Parents]]> Immigration and citizenship--Arrival]]> Industry and employment--Aerospace industry]]> Race--Military segregation]]> World War II--Military service--Recruiting and enlisting]]> World War II--Pearl Harbor and aftermath--Personal recollections]]> Takahashi, Albert: narrator]]> Yee, Marie: interviewer]]> Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher]]> Go For Broke National Education Center]]> 2004 February 28]]> eng]]> Oral Histories]]> Torrance, California ]]>