In this segment Uyemura talks about where he got the means to build his Ford Model T car and the beginnings of his service in the Army upon being drafted. After Pearl Harbor, he talks about his reaction to the attack, his family being relocated, and…
Hamada discusses more about basic training. Hamada details about volunteering for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Hamada discusses the specialized training he received from OSS.
Hamada discusses what the role the OSS played in Burma. He details his experiences during his first assignment. Hamada also discusses a little more about the specialized OSS training that he received.
In this segment, Frank Kimura recaps the celebrations and holidays his family would participate in. He also shared his feelings about living in America and the meaning of being an American. Being an American citizen, Kimura decided to join the…
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…
Otoshi discusses his grandson; his involvement with the 171st Infantry Battalion; and talks about his assignment training 442nd replacement soldiers. He also talks about his experiences at Officer Candidate School; and discusses the differences…
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…
Miyamoto talks about his medics training, his experiences going to Hattiesburg, and his relationship with Mainland soldiers. He then talks about going to Missouri for training at a hospital; traveling overseas; describes what he carried as a medic;…
Nakauchi discusses what it was like meeting Mainland Nisei soldiers while at Camp Shelby, as well as what a typical day was like during basic training. He then talks about visiting Jerome Concentration Camp and describes the living conditions there.…
Takahashi talks about being shipped from Italy to France and beginning his first combat in Bruyeres. As a walkie talkie man, he would be assigned with communication. Next, he talks about his part during the Lost Battalion campaign and patrolling.…
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.…
Yoshimoto discusses the effects that Pearl Harbor had on him and his family. He also discusses about his time spent in the Army Air Corps before being reassigned. Yoshimoto details about the time he visited Minidoka.
Kikuchi tells a story regarding the capture of German soldiers; discusses his guard duty assignment; and talks about receiving orders to go to Italy. He then talks about his experiences in Nice and Marseille; discusses arriving in Livorno; and…
Yokooji talks about meeting his wife while visiting Rohwer Concentration Camp; discusses the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers; and talks about recreational activities while at basic training. He then talks about his relationship…
James Murata took the situation of the war in stride. He did his duty as an American citizen and served in the Army. James attended MIS language school and was proud of what he was doing.
He described the living conditions in a five-man hut. On…
Julian Quayles' interview is combined with Ray Wells.
Raymond C. Wells is born May 5, 1922, in Eagle Colorado. Julian Minor Quayles, Jr is born January 15, 1917, in Staunton, Virginia. Both men serve in the 141st Infantry Battalion during World…
Julian Quayles' interview is combined with Ray Wells.
Julian Quayles joins the National Guards during his sophomore year in college. He is a part of Company B, 124th Infantry, 31st Division. Julian does his training at Camp Blanding. He…
Ko Stanley Sameshima's Army career is full of many contributions and accomplishments. He graduates from Military Intelligence Language School and becomes a linguist during the Occupation of Japan. Ko joins the civil censorship as a First Lieutenant…
Takiguchi discusses working in a sugar mill after high school, his desire to travel after the war, and his experiences after basic training in Honolulu including describing a close call with a Japanese submarine. He then talks about his experiences…
Kanda talks about John Aiso and his involvement in Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS); discusses the contributions of Japanese Americans to the war effort; and discusses the job he had while he was in Cleveland. He then talks about…
In this segment, Martin Tohara talks about Camp Shelby and his travels aboard a troop ship before finally ending up in combat in Europe. Traveling by troop ship, Tohara and his unit went across the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean to…
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…
Tanaka discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Shelby. He details about the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Tanaka also discusses his early military experience in Africa and Italy.
Peter Nakahara recalls his time training for the Military Intelligence Unit at Camp Savage, Minnesota. He also goes into details about the circumstances and whereabouts of his family while he was in training. Finally, he discusses more of his…
Peterson discusses his experiences training new recruits and as a heavy weapons platoon leader; and describes the duties of H Company as well as the structure of the United States Army. He then talks about his participation in maneuvers; discusses…
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles.
Raymond C. Wells is born May 5, 1922, in Eagle Colorado. Julian Minor Quayles, Jr is born January 15, 1917, in Staunton, Virginia. Both men serve in the 141st Infantry Battalion during World…
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles
Julian Quayles joins the National Guards during his sophomore year in college. He is a part of Company B, 124th Infantry, 31st Division. Julian does his training at Camp Blanding. He describes…
While at the Topaz Concentration Camp, Kimura would see Army recruiting teams, looking for Japanese speakers to join the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would volunteer and pass the tests, giving him a sense of patriotism and a reason to get…
Yamamoto discusses his early training and how he ended up in the Counterintelligence Corps. Yamamoto details his work during the occupation of Japan. He discusses how he met his wife and his life after leaving the army.
In this segment, Nakawatase talks about his responsibilities related to the transition to leaving camp prior to the war's end. After going back to Stockton, Nakawatase got work to care for the family by becoming a Farmer. After 3 weeks, the family…
Roy Yokote shares photos of his time in Europe serving with the 442nd. In particular, he shares photos and experiences of his time working and traveling in Italy.
Hoashi talks about the lessons that he learned during the war and from combat. After that, he tells about the awards that he received after he was discharged, including the Bronze Star. He would head back home to Kauai, where he would be reunited…
Sukeo “Skeets” Oji discusses the rebuilding of Japan. He joined the 553rd engineering construction group to make housing in Sendai. He described the area after the bombing. The individuals who assisted with the rebuilding of Japan were Japanese…
Sukeo "Skeets" Skeets recalls the saddest part of the war was seeing political prisoners' dead bodies. He never forgot the smell of the bodies. The American troops advanced to the 2nd Infantry Division; Skeets received orders from the CIC to form an…
Matsui talks about his whereabouts when he first head of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, hearing it on the radio and getting drafted into the Army at Fort Lewis. He would attend basic training at Camp Robinson, where he would immediately get friendly…
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…
