Jack Wayne Wilson oral history interview, part 1 of 2, November 2, 2009
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--Amphibious+operations">World War II--Amphibious operations</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Rome-Arno+Campaign--Cassino">World War II--European Theater--Rome-Arno Campaign--Cassino</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater">World War II--European Theater</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Rhineland+Campaign%2C+Vosges--%22Rescue+of+the+Lost+Battalion%22">World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Vosges--"Rescue of the Lost Battalion"</a>
Jack Wayne Wilson is born in Newburgh, Indiana, on January 3, 1924. His mother is Sadye Mae Anderson Wilson she is a descendant from the Daniel Boone family. His father is Baron Faron Wilson. Jack's father starts working the coal mines at a young age and continues until the Great Depression. Jack serves in the 141st 36th Division.
Jack grows up during the Prohibition era. At a young age, he tries to earn extra money by selling empty bottles to Bootleggers and catches Blue Gills.
After high school, Jack helps build Long Ship Tanks (LST)at the shipyard in Evansville, Indiana. Jack gets promoted to the number one layout man. Shortly after, Jack receives his draft notice and passes his physical examination. He is selected to be in the Navy; however, Jack wants to join the Army.
Jack starts basic training at Camp Blanding and joins to the 36th Division. He recalls the events of World War Two and the European Theater Operations from Mount Longo, Rapido River, Cassino, Montelimar, Italy. Jack, and his Company battle against enemy fire.
During the invasions, Jack is injured a few times and receives the Purple Heart twice.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Wilson%2C+Jack+Wayne%3A+narrator">Wilson, Jack Wayne: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Nakaishi%2C+Russell%3A+interviewer">Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2009-11-02">2009-11-02</a>
video/m4v
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=44&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=eng">eng</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+Histories">Oral Histories</a>
2009OH0798A_01_Wilson
Paul Bannai oral history interview, part 3 of 8, September 15, 2002
When Paul Takao Bannai hears the news of Pearl Harbor on December 7, his reaction is to help and defend the United States. Paul's parents support him and encourage him to defend America. By joining the 442nd and serving with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), Paul shows his patriotism and loyalty to the United States.
After training, Paul goes overseas. In New Guinea, Paul and fifteen Nisei MP and set up a POW camp. His job is to interview the POWs. The next step for General MacArthur is to set up the next landing spot in the Philippines.
General MacArthur's next landing is Leyte Islands. Paul and the MP set up the POW camp for interrogation. Paul recalls the capture of a Japanese sergeant, and he gives the locations of the cannons fired at night. Besides the POWs intel, Paul's team gets the radio signal of the Japanese soldiers and hears their conversations. Paul recalls the Japanese Navy attack and saving the Japanese soldiers from the ship.
Later, Paul receives orders to go to Australia and join the Australian Army unit for translation. Paul and the Australian Army travel to Borneo because there are still many Japanese troops in that area. Paul remembers a case of interrogating a Japanese soldier in the hospital who is a Nisei drafted into the Japanese Army.
In Borneo, there are snipers, and Paul is assigned guards for protection. One of Paul's guards is shot by a sniper, and he tries to save him. Paul is awarded a medal from the Australian government. However, that medal is only awarded to Australian soldiers, and Paul returns the medal.
Paul stays in Borneo to assist with the surrendering ceremonies. After the surrender ceremonies, Paul goes to Manila, Philippines, but his unit leaves for Tokyo, Japan. Before going to Tokyo, Paul flies to Okinawa with other soldiers to help them with trade translations. In Tokyo, Paul learns he is promoted to second lieutenant if he serves during the occupation forces. However, Paul turns down his commission. Paul recalls visiting Kyoto to visit relatives.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Bannai%2C+Paul%3A+narrator">Bannai, Paul: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Nakaishi%2C+Russell%3A+interviewer">Nakaishi, Russell: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
2002OH0307_03_Bannai
Fred Ida oral history interview, part 6 of 8, September 29, 2003
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Rhineland+Campaign%2C+Maritime+Alps%2C%22Champagne+Campaign%22">World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Maritime Alps,"Champagne Campaign"</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--Military+service--442nd+Regimental+Combat+Team">World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Military+service--Veteran+history">Military service--Veteran history</a>
Ida continues to talk about the Champagne Campaign and the rest and relaxation they got, not needing to fight any real battles. He talks about going down to Leghorn and getting wounded a second time while in Carrara. He also talks about confiscating a German payroll truck and taking thousands of dollars, which they would cash in Switzerland. Shortly after getting his eardrums blown out by a shell, he would learn of the end of the war. Next, he talks about correspondence with family and politics in Hawaii. He would spend some time in Switzerland after the war and head back to the United States.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Ida%2C+Fred%3A+narrator">Ida, Fred: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Miyamoto%2C+Phil%3A+interviewer">Miyamoto, Phil: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2003+September+29">2003 September 29</a>
video/m4v
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=44&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=eng">eng</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+Histories">Oral Histories</a>
2003OH0237R_06_Ida
Nobuo Yamashita oral history interview, part 1 of 3, October 6, 2001
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 few years later, Ace gives Nob a chance for higher education. However, the war starts.
On December 7, Nob hears the news about Pearl Harbor. Nob says the community of Bell treated his family well. They did not experience any discrimination. In May 1942, Nob and his family go to Manzanar.
At Manzanar, Nob works and plays baseball to pass the time. Later he leaves Manzanar briefly to work on a sugar beet farm in Montana. When he returns to Manzanar, he takes a Military Intelligence Service (MIS) exam and passes.
Nob and ten others from Manzanar go to Camp Savage for six months of training. Nob training focuses on conversational Japanese, Japanese military terms, and kanji. After training, Nob goes overseas to New Guinea.
Nob discusses discrimination in the military and the lack of promotions with Japanese Americans. He recalls Ensign Sherman, an advocate for the MIS. Moreover, Nob describes his experiences with Prisoners of War (POWs) in New Guinea and Luzon, and the Philippines.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Yamashita%2C+Nobuo%3A+narrator">Yamashita, Nobuo: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Tanaka%2C+Diane%3A+interviewer">Tanaka, Diane: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
2001OH0205_01_Yamashita
James Oura oral history interview, part 4 of 6, October 23, 2005
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Naples-Foggia+Campaign">World War II--European Theater--Naples-Foggia Campaign</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Rhineland+Campaign%2C+Vosges--%22Rescue+of+the+Lost+Battalion%22">World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Vosges--"Rescue of the Lost Battalion"</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--Military+service--442nd+Regimental+Combat+Team">World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater--Rhineland+Campaign%2C+Vosges--Bruyeres%2C+Belmont%2C+Biffontaine">World War II--European Theater--Rhineland Campaign, Vosges--Bruyeres, Belmont, Biffontaine</a>
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 reconnaissance. After this he would go through Rhineland-Vosges and then begin the Lost Battalion campaign. He talks about the darkness that they dealt with and how difficult it was. Next, he talks about the last charge that they made in the Lost Battalion and then following up that with the Champagne Campaign.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oura%2C+James%3A+narrator">Oura, James: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sakai%2C+Eileen%3A+interviewer">Sakai, Eileen: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2005+October+23">2005 October 23</a>
video/m4v
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=44&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=eng">eng</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+Histories">Oral Histories</a>
2005OH0625_04_Oura
Takashi Nakamoto oral history interview, part 4 of 5, February 27, 2005
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--Military+service--442nd+Regimental+Combat+Team">World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Military+service--Veteran+history">Military service--Veteran history</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater">World War II--European Theater</a>
Nakamoto talks about his relationships with Hawaiian Soldiers. He describes the food served during wartime. He attempts to explain the front line rotation process. He discusses snipers. He talks about the casualties in his unit. He explains how his unit captured Bruyères, France. He briefly talks about his guard duty. He describes how he captured Prisoners of War. Nakamoto discusses German military equipment and the weapons he used during wartime. He describes his return to the United States. He talks about his family's lives after World War Two. He discusses landing in Chicago, Illinois. He talks about his return to Watts, Los Angeles, California. He describes his flower shops in Watts and Walteria, Torrance, California. He explains his involvement in veterans organizations. He reflects on his military service. He talks about his children and grandchildren. He describes his personal travel and his return to Europe.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Nakamoto%2C+Takashi%3A+narrator">Nakamoto, Takashi: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hayashida%2C+Kenneth%3A+interviewer">Hayashida, Kenneth: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2005+February+27">2005 February 27</a>
video/m4v
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=44&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=eng">eng</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+Histories">Oral Histories</a>
2005OH0537_04_Nakamoto
Paul Yamashita oral history interview, part 4 of 5, September 26, 2003
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--European+Theater">World War II--European Theater</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--Military+service--442nd+Regimental+Combat+Team">World War II--Military service--442nd Regimental Combat Team</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=World+War+II--France">World War II--France</a>
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 officers. Next, he talks about the wound he got while in combat near Bruyeres and would be hospitalized for over a month before rejoining his company at the French Riviera. After this, he talks about the bond of people that have gone into combat together and how his childhood helped him prepare for the Army. He also speaks about the courage that he had and how it became second-nature to have to shoot at enemies.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Yamashita%2C+Paul%3A+narrator">Yamashita, Paul: narrator</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Takeshita%2C+Pat%3A+interviewer">Takeshita, Pat: interviewer</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center%3A+publisher">Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=48&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Go+For+Broke+National+Education+Center">Go For Broke National Education Center</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=40&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2003+September+26">2003 September 26</a>
video/m4v
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=44&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=eng">eng</a>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oral+Histories">Oral Histories</a>
2003OH0381_04_Yamashita