After Germany, Henry Gary Shiota is discharged from the Army. Later he re-enlists and goes to Military Intelligence Services Language School (MISLS). Gary goes through intense training to learn about Japan. At MISLS, Gary is one of the oldest…
Nishijima discusses his parent immigration from Japan to the United States. He moves to Japan to live with his Uncle when his Father passes away. He attends school and works on a silk worm farm. In his later teenage years, Nishijima returns back to…
Hiltey discusses how his captivity ends, meeting his wife and having children. Post-war, he discusses his employment, hobbies and goes to schools and speaks about his wartime experience. Hiltey leaves a message for his future great children and the…
Nakamoto discusses various job experiences from working at Federal position level, MCI, and owning his own company. Nakamoto is part of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) and he describes their mission and contribution to the…
Kubota discusses Major Stanley Uno and reuniting with his Brother. During the war, Kubota encounters a Chinese girl and shares his interactions of helping her. In 1946 Kubota is discharge and returns back to Hawaii. His family later finds out that he…
Kubota discusses going to Asia and wartime experiences in India, China, and Burma. In Burma he encounters funny situations with civilians. While in China, he gets word that Japan surrenders. Towards the end of the war, he is protected by Japanese…
Kubota discusses changing from 442nd Regimental Combat Team to Military Intelligence Service. Arriving at Camp Savage, the camp is surrounded by riflemen and explains the reason of racism. Kubota discusses language school, Language Officers and going…
Kubota discusses his prefecture origin and his Issei parents coming to Hawaii from Japan. Kubota's Father is contact to work in Hawaii for a few months but ends up staying longer to pay off his Brother's debt. Kubota recalls his childhood and his…
Toyota discusses General Dahlquist's leadership and his Second Lieutenant getting killed during the rescue of the Lost Battalion. In the course of wartime, Toyota's regret is that he did not correspond with his family as much as he…
Toyota discusses family religion, secondary school, and going overseas for the European Theater. In Japan Toyota's Issei parents are Buddhist. However, when migrating to the United States, Toyota's parents believe their children should follow the…
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…
In 1948, Toshi Beverly Iba returns to the United States. She reunites with her older brother and helps him with his nursery business. Toshi also attends a Los Angeles Costume Design School and later graduates.
Post-war, Shigeru Iba he meets his wife, Toshi Beverly Iba. They have been married for 54 years and have three children, Gary, Glenn, and Alan. Glenn has two sons, and Alan has two sons.
In 1946, Shigeru and his brother buys a nursery together…
After graduating from Manual Arts High School, Shigeru Iba helps with his Father's nursery business. In March of 1941, Shigeru is drafted into the Army. Springtime is the busiest time for the nursery business. Therefore, he requests a deferment for…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses rank as Private FIrst Class (PFC), First Platoon, and Third Squad. At basic training, Morimoto describes the relationship between the Mainland boys and the Hawaiian boys. He recalls the nickname that the Hawaiians…
Kiyoji "Jonah" Morimoto discusses working at a meet market after graduating high school until he volunteers for the service. Morimoto does not feel discrimination prewar. He says during that time each ethnic group lives in their own perspective camp.…
Minamide discusses his favorite baseball player. Another sport Minamide is involved in is Judo. He practice Judo for six years and is part of a Judo Team. He recalls going to Judo Tournaments and matches in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Miya discuses after the war staying with a provisional company until he gets assign to another company. Among his peers he is treated well by the original soldiers and did not feel any discrimination. Miya recalls his being a parameter guard at…
Miya discusses his experiences going overseas to Italy. Aboard the ship there 200 Japanese American soldiers out of 5,000 troops. Among his peers, Miya says the accomplishments of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team…
Miya discusses hearing about Pearl Harbor on the radio on December 7, 1941. During this time, Miya is 18 years old attending Senior year of High School. He did not feel racism or prejudices from his classmates. However, he does experiences racism…
Aki continues to talk about his experience as a prisoner of war on Wake Island. There, he would be treated pretty normally, although there were some casualties and they were guarded by the Japanese Army. He also talks about one incident that was…
Okubo discusses his interpreter experience and interrogation tactics with the Prisoners of War at Palau. Okubo is at Palau for two to three weeks before moving to the next invasion.
The next assignment for Okubo is psychological warfare. He…
Fukasawa discusses living off the land and surviving off the rations. In the rations there are meat, eggs, can vegetates, rice and bread. The Caucasian soldiers did not want the rice, therefore he is able to have a good amount of rice to eat. In…
Hara discusses his military routines in basic training and the relationship between Mainland boys and Hawaiian boys. When Hara graduates basic training, there is discrimination in the military. The Caucasian soldiers receives the higher ranks than…
Akira Ishikawa discusses his prefecture origin and his nickname "Jockey". His nickname comes from the love of horses and horse racing. Ishikawa recalls the Pearl Harbor attack, being drafted, and going overseas. He also shares his wartime experience…
Tsukahara discusses his experiences in Europe and being injured. He details about his post-war life, employment, and family. He also has a few words for the future generation.
Tsukahara discusses being a glider and supporting the ground troops in combat. Tsukahara discusses getting injured and being hospitalized. He details about rescue of The Lost Battalion and the casualties. Tsukahara discusses about coming home.
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.
Tsukahara discusses his family and childhood. He delivers newspapers to help the family. In high school he is in Reserve Training Officer Corps. After high school graduation he attend junior college for 2 years before moving to Los…
Mr. Hayashi describes his experiences during basic training, discussing his relationship with the Hawaiian soldiers, his weapons training, and the camaraderie amongst his troop. His battalion was shipped out from Newport News, Virginia and landed in…
Kaneshige discusses returning back to the United States from his war injury. After the hospital, he goes to Schofield Barracks and Fort Shasta. Kaneshige receives the Purple Heart. Before working for the Defense Department, he attends beauty school.…
Maeda recalls his favorite story of receiving a religious cross during the war, getting married and starting a family. Maeda also discusses his military awards. Later in the interview, his wife Lily Chisato Maeda joins in. Lily recalls the Pearl…
Okada discusses Sergeant Ogawa and being in Italy. Okada is in Company I and talks about his assignments. He shares his combat stories in Italy. Okada is wounded at the Headquarter explosion and the war is over.
Okada discusses elementary school and his family living through the Great Depression. In high school he plays wrestling and post-war he becomes a pro-wrestler. He recalls December 7, 1941 hearing about Pearl Harbor. Okada's family evacuates to Utah.…
Misaka discusses December 7, 1941 and the aftermath after Pearl Harbor. When the war happens, Misaka focuses on school and plays sports. He recalls his game in New York and Kansas for the NCAA. Misaka remembers when he receives the draft notice to…
Yukihiro discusses being inducted, basic training, and joining the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC). He details about his experiences in the CIC. Yukihara also discusses about the devastation in Japan.
Yukihiro discusses the trip to Arkansas and experiences at Rohwer Concentration Camp. He details about the changes at the camp over time and his family. Yukihiro describes his sentiment towards the government and recalls leaving camp.
Yukihiro discusses about learning the Japanese language and family correspondences with Japan. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He discusses his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Rohwer Concentration Camp.
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses his friendship with Mine Okubo. Okubo is a Japanese American artist who illustrates her experience in camp and is the author of "Citizen 133660".
Post-war, Yonemura works in the General Consul Office from 1953…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses the Battle of Solomon Sea and gets promoted to team leader in the translation group. He receives the Bronze Star for his service.
Yonemura is with Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) from October…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses having a lot of support despite facing discrimination. At Camp Savage, Yonemura is on the bull gang for eight or ten days until getting into Language School. He studies hard and is class 13. Yonemura says the…
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses in 1941 he is in his third year of law school and works part time as a librarian monitor. Yonemura learns at the news of Pearl Harbor through a friend. Yonemura is in disbelief by the news of events. The following…
Hirose discusses forced removal and the management of Rolling Heights kicking them out earlier than Executive Order 9066. Hirose then moves to Los Angeles to live with his Father's friend before going to camp.
Hirose discusses his birth date and being born in San Pedro, California. Growing up he lives in Rolling Heights, California near the Peninsula. Part of his childhood activities includes fishing and skin diving. He recalls one incident with blue…
Gustafson discusses Anzio Beach, first combat and casualties. He also recalls the Gothic Line, Bruyeres, and the Lost Battalion. Gustafson also discusses about getting injured and trench feet.
Sugihara discusses most memorable moments during the war, Prisoners of War, and the war ending in the European Theater. Before going home to the United States, Sugihara receives an opportunity to attend the University of Florence. He recalls an…
Akama discusses being in a segregated unit and experiencing discrimination. He recalls going overseas and shares his wartime experiences in the European Theater. Akama discusses about his time in Italy.
Akama discusses barefoot football league and rival teams. He details about his educational experiences. Akama discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the military, and basic training.
Yano discusses basic training, weather conditions and getting measles before heading out overseas to the European Theater. He details about his experiences in France. Yano also discusses about his experiences in Italy
Yano discusses moving to Ontario, Oregon because his Issei Father finds work as a farmer there. Yano plays sport and experiences racism in high school. After December 7, 1941 Yano's Mother is arrested and he visits her. He recalls the treatment of…
Joe Saito discusses conditions at Camp Shelby and shares experiences. At basic training he describes the relationship between Mainland boys and Hawaiian boys. Saito parts ways with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team when he arrives at Camp Meade…
Joe Saito discusses his childhood activities with his brothers and child rearing. He contributes the Japanese identity and values to his upbringing. Saito decides to volunteers for service and he goes to basic training. While in training, he is…
Nishioka talks about his personal history and his encouragement to other veterans to share their story if they can. Next, he talks about reunions, the monument in Los Angeles and the Medals of Honor that were given away fifty years after the fact.…
Sakaguchi discusses leaving on a troop carrier to Europe. He shares experiences in Italy, and the Germans retreating. When the war ends with Japan, he remains in the military for a year guarding the army supply. After being discharged, Sakaguchi…
Kitaoka discusses going overseas and his occupation phase in Berlin. He recalls what Berlin look like after the devastation of the war. Many of the structural buildings are in rubles and the buildings that are still existing are being occupied by the…
Kitaoka discusses experiences of Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Jerome Concentration Camp. At Santa Anita, the horse stables are converted into living conditions for Japanese Americans and Kitaoka relates to his farming background. At…
Kitaoka discusses the family business and routine on the chicken ranch. Norwalk is primarily a Dutch community and Kitaoka describes the high school transition. He discusses identity and his heritage.
Shinmoto discusses moving to Kingsburg a Swedish farming community. Transitioning in High School is a difficult time for Shinmoto. He recalls sports help him make friends but is lonely during lunchtime. He is also put in the same grade with his…
Nakashima discusses encountering a tank and seeing human flesh. Nakashima recalls the worst part of being a soldier is casualties of friends and enemies. Rather than remembering the negative, Nakashima prefers to think of the positive experiences.…
Nakashima discusses basic training and the cultural difference between Mainlanders and Islanders. He shares stories about dominance of power and resentment of authority at Camp Shelby. Before going overseas, Nakashima sees his Mother and receives a…
Nakashima discusses his prefecture origin, childhood and upbringing. In Nakashima's education years, he did not attend Japanese School. He believes not learning Japanese creates a communication barrier with his Issei parents. He also shares his…
Kurahara discusses about camp experiences at Tule Lake Concentration Camp. During this time his Mother is ill and passes away after visiting the children in camp. Only Jan, Kurahara's brother is allow to leave camp to attend their Mother's the…
Yenari discusses his dreams of leaving the Pacific Coast. Although these dreams of leaving happens due to evacuation, he still remain optimistic about the outcome of camp. At Santa Anita Temporary Dentition Center, Yenari helps with the production of…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses graduating high school in 1938 and being aware about world events. He recalls asking his parents to go watch a play about antiwar and writing a school paper on Manchuria.
Clarence "Matt" Matsumoto discusses growing up, he isnot close with parents because out playing with friends. Matsumoto says his values and morals are learned by going to church every Sunday. In 1940, he graduates high school and goes to Community…
Yamada discusses playing sports in his childhood such as barefoot football, tennis and fishing with his friends. One holiday that his family celebrates annually is the Emperor of Japan's birthday and New Year (because of the food). They also sing…
Ken Nihei discussed the poem If by Rudyard Kipling and how it applies to life.
Ken recalls his wife Masuko and life with their children, Westley Paul and Judith Ann. Ken hopes his children to live a good life and enjoy every moment.
George Suzuki discusses Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and his experiences there. He details about his social activities in Santa Anita and Gila River.Suzuki also discusses about his experiences at Gila River Concentration Camp.
Suzuki discusses parents and their background. He details about his sister. Suzuki discusses about his educational experiences. Suzuki also details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
Umeda finishes the interview talking about passing on his personal history to future generations. Next, he talks about the legacy of the Nisei and what they've done. After this, he discusses his thoughts of what freedom is, and what makes freedom of…
Steidl talks about the legacy of the Nisei soldiers experience and it applies to general American history. He talks about how writing his book changed him. He also discusses the impact education can have in spreading the legacy of the Nisei veterans.
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…
Watada discusses life at camp consist of working during the day, meals in the mess hall, and socializing in the recreation hall. Watada works in the warehouse and working in the silk screen shop printing silk screen posters with slogans. Watada's…
Takao discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and going to the mainland for basic training. Takao and five friends volunteer and only himself and a friend is selected. Takao is assign to Company C, First Battalion, Fourth Platoon…
Morisawa discusses going overseas and the battles in Europe. He details about his experiences, sleeping in a trench, the black market. Morisawa recalls how the 442nd Regimental Combat Team is depleted and how he is sent to Nice. He discusses about…
Murakami discusses basic training and Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He goes overseas and describes the environment and climate of Japan after the bombing. During occupation, Murakami's duties deal with translation,…
Murakami discusses going to Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility and the living conditions. He shares his thought on how the camp experience is different from Nisei to Issei. When Murakami goes to Rochester for seminary school, he contributes…
Tsuneishi discusses the Okinawa Campaign. When landing on the beach, he comes across his first casualty. His duty for this campaign is to translate and he recalls the documents capture. When the war ends, Tsuneishi goes to Korea for occupation and…
Tsuneishi discusses discrimination and civil rights. After high school he goes to University of California Los Angeles and major in Political Science and minor in English. Then he transfers University of Berkley for Asian Studies in 1941 when the…
Tanaka discusses his post-war employment. His work is mainly in corporate and property law. In 1982 , he is appointed to Intermediate Member of Court of Appeals. Tanaka recalls the highlight of his career is being appointed a judge,
Tanaka discusses learning about the American Concentration Camps on the Mainland. When he is at Camp Shelby, he visits Jerome Concentration Camp. Tanaka is shocked at the living conditions.
Going from Camp Shelby to Camp Savage, Tanaka recalls the…
Harry Tanaka discusses working in a Libby cannery during the summer time and at the University of Hawaii work for a professor. During High school, Tanaka thought he would pursue a career in engineering but he ends up receiving his degree in history…
Inami discusses Jerome Concentration Camp and the living arrangements. Due to the conditions of camp, Inamai compares it welfare and how welfare is shameful to the Japanese culture. In camp, jobs are available. Inami recalls the jobs his family…
Inami discusses forced removal. The Inami family receives support from their Chinese friend to help watch over their Grocery Store while they are interned. Inami recalls the military regulation of what is allowed to be carried into camp. On the day…
Shintaku discusses his Father, Mother, and siblings. His Father is a share cropper for a Danish Family. Due to the Alien Land Law, his father is unable to purchase his own land. Shintaku faces discrimination at school and when he gets older, he takes…
Mori recalls a time when he was watching television with his children and saw himself on a Walter Cronkite special. Next, he gives a message for future generations, which includes enduring and persevering in everyday life. After this, he talks about…
Kubota discusses meeting Sus Oshabata at basic training. The two becomes friends when Sus takes care of Kubota when he is sick. In mid-training Sus is selected as jeep driver and goes to a different company. After the war, they remain friends even…
Kubota discusses his decision to enlist. At the beginning of the war, non-citizens are barred from enlisting due to the enemy alien law. Kubota first learns about the Nisei Regiment Formation assembly from Japanese Community Leaders and decides to…
Akamine discusses the mindset when going into combat and his combat experiences. He reflects on the war and details about burying a German soldier. Akamine also discusses discrimination and reminisces about Lt. Kim.
In this video clip, Ken Akune describes an incident with the military police while in Japan. He also provides wisdom about the nature of war and how important it is for American soldiers to spread good will as American ambassadors.
Furumoto recalls joining Merrill's Marauders on a secret mission to Burma. He discusses his task of interpreting Japanese soldiers for information, and describes the Battle of Napunga Hill.
Furumoto discusses his decision to attend veterinary school at Kansas State University. He recounts his feelings during the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. He also discusses his decision to join the army.
