According to Willie Tanamachi, there are two ways Japanese Americans joined the military. One way is being drafted before the war. Another way is enlisting. Willie’s brothers Goro, Saburo, Walter, and himself served in the military. Unfortunately,…
Yoshito Fujimoto describes his family history and personal background, his time spent in Japan as a child, and returning to the United States. He recalls attending Japanese language school, how he was recruited into the Military Intelligence Service,…
Mitsuo Tominaga discusses his feeling about about being reassigned to an all Nisei unit, and their interactions with civilians while in Michigan. Next he describes his unit's time at Fort Shelby conducting weapons training, and the racial conditions…
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…
Seiki Tamae describes the attack on Pearl Harbor, his return to high school in Hawaii, and his feelings about his family back in Okinawa. Next Seiki talks about the 442nd and the feelings Hawaiians and Nisei felt about the unit and their battles in…
When Tony Koura goes back to Japan after the occupation, the locals have changed. The people have money, there is no food shortage, no one is starving, and every one is employed. There are thousands of linguists during the occupation. Tony says the…
Minato discusses basic training and discharge. After his discharge he meets his wife and gets married. They have children and grandchildren. Minato shares his wartime experience. During Japanese Language School he discloses his memorable moments at…
Goodall discusses Daniel "Chappie" James; provides some thoughts regarding segregation and the Tuskegee Airmen; discusses a book "Chappie" wrote and their friendship; and talks about his post-military work. He then talks about meeting his first and…
Goodall discusses the Tuskegee Flight School; his employment in Detroit; rationing after the start of World War Two; and getting drafted and volunteering for Tuskegee. He then talks about the aviation test he was required to take prior to going to…
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…
Ouchi continues his experiences after joining the Army out of the Minidoka concentration camp. First, he speaks about the discrimination he saw in the south when training in Mississippi and the troubles between the Hawaiian and Mainland soldiers.…
Ouchi begins the interview with an introduction and from there jumps right into Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He speaks about the hardships of selling the store they owned and the low offers for their personal belongings. After this, Ouchi would go…
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…
Dr. Coolidge Shiro Wakai was part of the 100th Company B. He was born December 2, 1925, in Kappa, Kauai, Hawaii. Coolidge's father was a missionary for Japanese Immigrants and established the first Christian church in Kappa, Kauai. Coolidge has six…
Continuing Murakami's recollection of his Army experience, he discusses the basic training at Camp Shelby, where he was put into the Headquarters regiment. During this time, there was a lot of fighting between the Hawaiian and Mainland soldiers,…
After being moved to Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho, he was drafted into the Army. He would attend his basic training at Camp Landing in Florida, where he would be trained as an infantryman until being chosen to switch over to the Military…
Mano discusses going to Pinedale Temporary Detention Canter, Tule Lake and Minidoka Concentration Camps. At Tule Lake, Mano shares that there was segregation and division between the Japanese Americans' feelings about the United States Government. He…
After the war, Kenichi Muranaga gets married in 1946 and works serval jobs before starting his laundromat business in 1963. Kenichi and Yoshiko have one son, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Minoru Miyasaki reported to Fort Douglas before going to Camp Shelby for basic training. At Camp Shelby, the Privates and Rookies were all Nisei with a few Hawaiian Nisei. Minoru was assigned to 442nd, Company G, 4th Platoon, and trained as a…
Minoru Miyasaki recalls the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. When President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, Minoru and his family went to Tanforan on a Greyhound Bus. The Miyasaki family left their belongings with Mr. Driscoll. However, in 1946…
Kimura would graduate from high school at the young age of 16 and would move out on his own to Waimea in Kauai. He would continue playing baseball and football, but would also work as a carpenter. Next, while practicing for an upcoming baseball game,…
In Iowa, Dan Uchimoto receives a draft notice from the Army and leaves Loras College. Dan's parents leave camp voluntarily and resettle in the East. However, some people stay in camp until World War Two ends. A family friend tells Dan's parents about…
In the fall of 1941, before the Pearl Harbor attack, Ko Stanley Sameshima, is a student at Cal Tech University. Ko is doing well in his academic studies and is on the Varsity Cross Country Team. In Ko's spare time, he attends social school functions.…
Leo Morishita gives a little fun fact about his last name Morishita. Morishita means underwood in English. Before his high school graduation, on December 7, Leo is at the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) planning on an early Christmas party.…
Tsuji discusses about his childhood in Honolulu, recalling the New Years celebrations, the population of his schools and the friends that he had. Next, he looks back at the segregation that he saw both in Hawaii and later in Mississippi while…
Tsuneishi discusses his short stints at Pomona Temporary Detention Center and Heart Mountain Concentration Camp. He briefly is released from camp to attend the University of Wyoming before being drafted into the Army and heading to Camp Savage.…
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…
Kubo talks about his whereabouts during the attacks on Pearl Harbor, coming home from work and soon after, reporting to the draft board for induction. He would join the Army, and begin learning the general orders, heading to Camp Robinson in Arkansas…
Kubota discusses harvesting pineapples and working at a bakery after high school graduation. On December 7, 1941 Kubota is teaching Sunday School when Pearl Harbor is bombed. He recalls the black armbands and combat troop recruitment. Kubota passes…
Toyota discusses his parents immigration to the United States, his childhood and his military service. Toyota's Father is a trained as a carpenter in Japan and when he migrates to America, he becomes a barber and a farmer. During the Great…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their experience leaving Hawaii and going to the Mainland. They arrive in Oakland, CA, and go to Mississippi. On the train ride to…
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their experience leaving Hawaii and going to the Mainland. They arrive in Oakland, CA, and go to Mississippi.
On the train ride to…
Tsuda begins the interview with a brief introduction of himself and his parents. After this, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Honolulu, living in Haleiwa on a pineapple cannery. He would enjoy attending Japanese language school and would…
Frank Matsuda hears the news the Army is accepting Japanese American volunteers. Frank signs up to volunteer and returns to camp to take his physical exam. He passes the physical exam and goes to Camp Shelby for basic training. Frank is a BAR man…
When Lillian Matsudaira moves to Philadelphia, she works at an insurance company as a clerk. Lillian stays in Philadelphia for nine months before going to Cleveland. In 1945 Seattle reopens, and Lillian goes back home at the end of July.…
Following the American concentration camps in Idaho, Tochihara would volunteer for the Army, wanting to fight for the country he was born and raised in. After a 30 day furlough, he would begin his basic training at Camp Shelby as a replacement for…
Kawanishi continues his recollection of his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi as he began his basic training with the 442nd Regiment. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and segregation he saw in the South, as well as a few times he got in trouble…
Yoroku's family has feelings of loyalty and patriotism to America. For the nation and the country, Yoroku volunteers for the Army. Yoroku is stationed at Schofield Barracks for a short time before leaving for the mainland for basic training at Camp…
Yoroku Ito is born on January 31, 1922, in Puunene, an island of Maui. Yoroku and his family live in camp five on a sugar plantation. The house is comfortable for five children and two adults. Yoroku explains the camps are segregated and sectioned by…
Hiro Nishimura is upset to be separated from Kazuo Otani to go to Military Intelligence Service Language School. He describes how Kazuo Otani earned the Medal of Honor as well as his efforts later to contact Otani's family. He also describes Steve…
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…
William Yoshito Thompson discusses going to Schofield and going overseas to the Mainland to Camp Shelby. At Camp Shelby, William is assigned to the 2nd Battalion Head Quarters and later to the Antitank Company.
Thomas Ukichi Wozumi discusses basic training and going to the Mainland to McCoy and Camp Shelby. Thomas changes from the regular Army to the 100th Battalion. There are differences between the Mainland soldiers and the Hawaiian soldiers. However,…
Yoshihara talks about his experiences at Minidoka incarceration camp including the weather, living conditions, school, size of the camp, and working as a lab technician at the camp hospital. He then talks about his parents' thoughts and reactions to…
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…
Doiwchi discusses his parents immigrating from Japan and his father’s job working at Rafu Shimpo. He talks about his family’s ownership of property, attending Japanese language school and church, and discusses his interest in automobiles. He also…
James Murata stopped attending Japanese Language School in high school to help his parents in the fields harvesting carrots. He discusses his obligation to help his parents in farming. If there were any family outings, the family would pay. Unlike…
Oda discusses her experiences traveling to Hattiesburg and her experiences once there. She then talks about men at Minidoka Incarceration Camp volunteering for the Army, correspondence with her mother while she was incarcerated at Minidoka; and…
Oda discusses how she met her husband and her marriage plans. When trying to get married, the Oda’s initially experienced discrimination due to their race, but eventaully got married at a YMCA. She then talks about her whereabouts during the attack…
Charles “Charley” Touoji Ijima goes to Schofield Barracks before going to the mainlands. He receives his basic training at Camp Shelby. He learns how to build different types of bridges and lay mines. At Camp Shelby, Charley describes his first time…
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.
At Camp Savage, Masato Eddy Kurushima learns Japanese to be am interpreter. He recalls studying late at night to learn the vocabulary and kanji characters.
Eddy also goes to basic training for eight weeks. His learns infantry training and…
Uchimiya beings the interview with a brief introduction of his family and how they came to El Centro, California. There, he would begin his schooling, while working on the farm. His family would enjoy camping and taking month-long trips to San Diego.…
George Mitsuru Matsunaga was born on May 28, 1925, in Wailuku, Maui. George had many positive influences that shaped him during his informal educational years. At home, his parents taught him filial piety and to study hard. In English school and…
Tamagawa discusses prefecture origin and family. He shares stories of influential teachers and taking Judo at Japanese Language school. Tamagawa also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the army, and basic training.
Shiosaki discusses familial description and home life. He recalls life in Hawaii during his adolescent years and discrimination. Shiosaki signs up for the military and completes basic training at Camp Shelby. After graduating from basic training,…
Sato discusses his attempt to volunteer for the Air Force, but getting enlisted in the Army instead. He then talks about reporting to Fort Douglas, traveling to Camp Shelby, and his experiences witnessing segregation in Mississippi. Next, Sato talks…
Makino talks about bathing and laundry while on patrol, discusses casualties of war, and talks about "bed check Charlie”. He then talks about Tokyo Rose and Berlin Sally; discusses his sleeping quarters while overseas; talks about his uniform; and…
Matsumoto discusses his experiences prior to shipping out to Europe; talks about traveling from Hawaii to the mainland, and from Virginia to Oran; and talks about his experiences at Camp Shelby including his assignment with the mortars. He then talks…
Hamasaki begins by giving a background of his family, as well as a sense of what it was like growing up in Maui. Next, he talks about the Pearl Harbor attacks and the effects that it had on the community, the ministers and the Japanese language…
Tomita provides a definition of the term, "pro-Japan", and discusses his thoughts regarding being American. He then talks about recreational activities such as going to the beach and Kendo; and discusses childhood values his parents taught him. Next,…
Aki talks about his childhood in Livingston, California. He describes his community in Livingston, California. He discusses his grandparents, siblings, father, and mother. He talks about growing up in a Christian colony. He briefly discusses…
Oura continues his recollection of the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the subtle discriminations that he felt. After this, he decided that he would volunteer for the Army without his parents knowing. However, he was told the quota was filled, but…
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…
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…
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…
Inada talks about his shipment to mainland America, seeing the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge on the way and then landing in Oakland. When arriving, all soldiers would have their diaries taken away and told they would not be able to get them back.…
Nagano provides some thoughts about getting his draft notice; discusses a military questionnaire he was given while at Manzanar incarceration camp; and talks about his experiences at Manzanar including discussing food, friendships, attending dances,…
Kumagai discusses having to leave his belongings behind after his family’s forced removal to Walerga temporary detention facility. He then talks about his brother’s military service, his experiences at Tule Lake incarceration camp, and describes…
Hirose discusses what is blue stone and his experience in court. He shares his interment camp and military service experiences to the Judge. Hirose is only fined a small fee and is place on probation.
W. Kohashi discusses his recollections of the Pearl Harbor attack aftermath and volunteering in the military. He talks about experiences and basic training at Camp Shelby; and shipping out overseas. He also discusses his early combat experience and…
Nishioka describes one of his captains and Camp Shelby. He discusses discrimination against African Americans. in the south He talks about the American Concentration Camps for Japanese Americans. Nishioka explains his relationship with Mainland…
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…
Yamate talks about some of his fellow officers; discusses his assignment typing up articles; and talks about his experiences at basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about his experiences getting a pass to travel to New Orleans and…
Hoashi discusses his reasons for joining the Army, and the process of induction, getting assigned to a company and getting shipped over to Mississippi. While at Camp Shelby, he would experience segregation in the South while doing his basic training.…
Ozaki talks more about what it was like to grow up in Florida, including the segregation that he saw, being in the South and how that compared to the segregation at Camp Shelby. Next, he talks about his assignment while in Italy, which was to guard…
Hinatsu discusses the regimental structure of the Headquarters company and communications platoon. While at Camp Shelby, he would begin his work in the cadre, teaching discipline to the new Army recruits. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and…
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,…
Nagaki talks about his duties as part of D Company, life at Camp Shelby including going into town, and his experiences witnessing segregation in Mississippi. He then talks about traveling overseas and landing in Oran, and then going to Naples. Next,…
Ota talks about his friendship with a mainland Japanese American while at Jerome Concentration Camp, interactions with German POWs, a story regarding finding Italian money while overseas; and experiences at Camp Shelby and in Mississippi including…
Muramaru describes a rice soup dish called “chagai”; and discusses playing football and his family’s store growing up. He then talks about his uncle in Japan, his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor, neighbors who were sent to Honoluliuli…
Teraoka talks about his experiences with segregation in the south; and life at Camp Shelby including discussing his mentors, the barracks, the weather, and food. He then talks about how he got his nickname, provides an explanation of the word katonk,…
Teraoka discusses his experiences transitioning from elementary to intermediate school and his classes in an English standard school. He then talks about The Attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath, volunteering for the Army and his father’s reaction,…
Hashimoto discusses growing up in Santa Cruz, California and recalls helping his father with farming duties; and playing sports, including being a part of a Nisei baseball league. He then talks about his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor,…
Izumigawa talks about playing sports; discusses his interest in watching and following sports; and talks about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor including experiences with blackouts. He then talks about his post high school employment; volunteering for…
Wada talks about volunteering for the Army, getting married before getting his notice to report to basic training. He would be inducted at Salt Lake City, feeling proud and more American in the process. He would head to Camp Shelby in Mississippi,…
Samuel Yamaguchi discusses his experiences in the military. He talks about enlisting, and waiting in Utah to get inducted. He also discusses visiting his family in Poston before shipping out for basic training.
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.
Ito discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the pressures of war hysteria. It was during this time that he was drafted into the Army and selected for Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He was sent to Fort Snelling to take Japanese language…
Tanaka discusses a submarine washing ashore and the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He details about his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. Tanaka also tasks about heading overseas and his experiences in North Africa.
Kuwabara describes life at Gila River Incarceration Camp including the living quarters, the types of employment opportunities inside the camp for incarcerees, and his experiences as block manager. He also talks about his reasons for volunteering for…
Yamada talks about his father’s job as a railway laborer, discusses his birth story, and talks about living and working in a hotel during his childhood. He also talks about his experiences growing up in Spokane, Washington and talks about…
Shiosaki talks about the reasons why he volunteered as well as his father's thoughts and reactions to his volunteering. He then talks about reporting to Fort Douglas; traveling to Camp Shelby in Mississippi; and witnessing segregation and the…
Kitada talks about getting discharged, his post-war employment as a gardener, and discusses his children and grandchildren. He then talks about the differences between pre-war and present day segregation, discusses his thoughts regarding the 442nd…
Kitada discusses his infantry, rank, parents, growing up in the Los Angeles area, siblings, and working as a gardener. He then talks about school, the attack on Pearl Harbor, experiences with discrimination, and going to Manzanar Concentration Camp.…
Konno talks about growing up on a citrus ranch in San Dimas, California; and discusses his parents, childhood activities, friendships, and speaking Japanese at home. He also talks about attending high school and Japanese language school; playing…
Matsuura talks about his parents, going to school in Spokane, being sent to Japan as a child; and returning to the United States and working on a farm. He then talks about attending high school, the Attack on Pearl Harbor, volunteering for the Army,…
Kishaba discusses about life after high school, going to vocational school, and working on the railroad until volunteering for the military. He talks about his experiences going to the Mainland leaving Hawaii for the first time. Kishaba also…
