Sachio Takata recollects his time at basic training at Camp Blanding training to be a replacement for the 442nd. He made a few friends in the Army. However, if you were not in the same company or platoon, it was harder to build a relationship. Sachio…
He explains how the 100th Infantry Battalion was formed. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses Camp McCoy. He talks about being a part of F Company. He also talks about dating. He describes his rank. He discusses his captain's…
Muto discusses his life at [Gila River] Concentration Camp, discusses basic training at Camp Shelby, and talks about the relationship between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He then talks about fighting with other soldiers, his Army job delivering…
Ikeguchi talks about his experiences at Camp Robinson, his Signal Corps assignment, and his assignment at Camp Carson as a shipping clerk in Quartermaster Corps. He then talks about his promotion in rank; discusses going to Military Intelligence…
Ikeguchi discusses how he located his father who was living in Japan; talks about visiting his relatives in Japan; and discusses his duties while assisting the Osaka police with the black market. He then talks about his assignment in Yokohama;…
Ikuta talks about his siblings in Japan during World War Two; discussing his family who moved to Los Angeles with him post-war; talks about corresponding with his mother while she was in Japan; and discusses getting drafted and sent to Jefferson…
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…
Iwamoto discusses his experiences as a commanding officer in Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC), as well as his experiences attending college and working after returning to the United States. He then talks about meeting his wife; getting recalled for…
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.…
Sato looks through a few more pictures, while narrating his whereabouts at the end of the war, going from Ghedi through Florence, processing prisoners of war, and getting promoted to staff sergeant. As he didn't have enough points to head home yet,…
Ikari discusses where his family ended up after Executive Order 9066 was signed, sent to a mixture of Rohwer, Poston and Manzanar Concentration Camps. While visiting on leave, he would see the barbed wire in certain sections of the camp and the…
Sumida discusses the repatriation of Japanese citizens from Manchuria and his assignment monitoring Japanese repatriates; and talks about receiving a Bronze Star. He then talks about his assignment in Korea, his translation assignment after Korea,…
Inami shows and describes photographs of his wedding, in uniform, and a picture taken while he was in Korea. He also discusses his rank in the military,
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…
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…
After arriving at Camp McCoy, Takashige would be chosen to be part of a secret experiment at Cat Island in Mississippi. The Army was testing and training dogs to track down Japanese soldiers and would use Japanese Americans to help train the dogs and…
Takashige finishes up the interview talking about the awards that he received from his time in the war, including the Purple Heart. He also gives a message for future generations and then narrates through some pictures.
Tsukahara discusses being inducted in to the Army and basic training. He explains the difference in the types of mines and his mission. Tsukahara discusses about his travel overseas and landing in Europe.
Post-war, John Akira Takekawa sat in on the war crime trial of General Tomoyuki Yamashita. The General Yamashita trial was daily and took approximately 30 to 60 days for the hearing. John also attended General Masaharu Homma's trial in Manila.
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Peter Fukasawa discusses on the day of Peal Harbor's attack. He learns about the news when he returns back from fishing . After Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066 is announced for the evacuation of Japanese Americans. Fukasawa's parents are…
Yasukochi talks about his time at UC Davis, studying botany as he educated himself for a future in plant breeding. After this, he talks about his shipment to Italy, taking 35 days as the convoy zig zagged across the ocean. Next, he talks about his…
Nobuo "Nob" Yamashita is born September 28, 1920, in Los Angeles, CA. Nob and his family worked on the farm before starting a fresh produce business in Bell.
In 1938, Nob graduates high school. When his younger brother Ace graduates high school a…
During the occupation, George Mitsuru Matsunaga stayed with the CIC. He recalled a food shortage in Japan and saw the Japanese nationals trying to survive. During George's travel, he became friends with three Marines who fought in the Guadalcanal on…
Watanabe discusses his father's immigration from Japan to the United States and his work at a plantation in Hawaii. He then talks about his mother; discusses attending Japanese language school; discusses Japanese dialects; talks about attending…
Sukeo "Skeets" Oji returned to the United States and was assigned to Engineer Section, Headquarters, 6th Army, Presidio, Monterey. In 1954, he was reassigned to Japan as the liaison officer between the Ministry of Construction and the US Army Forces…
Ota continues his recollection of going to Camp Shelby for basic training. He talks about the rivalry between the Hawaiian soldiers and the mainland soldiers and seeing segregation in the South. He would spend a year at Camp Shelby before being…
Kubo continues talking about his experiences in the Pacific Theater, including making sukiyaki in Luzon using meat and K rations. Shortly after, the end of the war would occur and his team would be moved to Fukuoka in Japan. There, he would be able…
Katayama talks about the end of World War 2 and his recollections of participating on the Gothic Line. He talks about his military career and participation in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He provides anecdotes regarding: guarding German POWs;…
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.
Overseas, Minoru Miyasaki spent his time in Italy seizing the mountain from the German soldiers. When Minoru was not in combat, he was a litter-bearer. He recalls carrying Senator Daniel Inouye in a stretcher to the Aid Station. Minoru explains the…
Ohta discusses various war experiences, including the troops in his company. Next, he speaks about having very little correspondence with his family and the rank he earned of staff sergeant. He also discusses aspects of the German Army and the…
Asato continues talking about his first combat while in Italy, at the Rome-Arno area. He talks about being able to see Florence from a distance and the tree bursts that could kill a soldier instantly. While there, he would get sick and end up in a…
Chiye (Hayashi) Watanabe, Henry M. Hayashi, and Seiichi Nakawatase recall Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. When evacuation orders are announced, Chiye and her family plan to go to Arkansas. However, the government places travel restrictions. Chiye and…
Henry M. Hayashi discusses his time at Fort Sheridan and Camp Shelby before going overseas. Joe is also at Fort Sheridan and Camp Shelby with Henry. Henry grows up in Los Angeles, CA, where there is diversity, and everyone gets along. When Henry goes…
Sameshima and Hayashi are joined by George Hayakawa as they remember Joe Hayashi, who served with the 442nd Regiment and earned a Medal of Honor while in Italy. They talk about various memories of him, including a time during kendo practice, where…
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura describes his state of mind and feelings coming back from the war.
Post-war, Hershey went to school on the East Coast for engineering. At Christmas break, Hershey returned home and worked for his cousin for a few months.…
