Harry Tanaka oral history interview, part 1 of 6, April 16, 2004

Harry Tanaka discusses being born in Honolulu, Hawaii and being the second son of four children. At a young age he learns how to care for himself since his Mother passes away when he is very young. As a child he would spend time at the pier or the fish market and play sports.

Tanaka graduates high school in 1939 and is part of the Hawaii Territory Guard. He recalls after pearl Harbor is attacked, the ROTC is called to guard bridges. When Marshall Law is declared, Governor Emmons and other people in power did not feel Americans of Japanese ancestry guarding the territory and deactivated the Japanese Americans who served in Hawaii Territory Guards.

The Japanese Americans still wanted to service their county and some teachers formed a Moral Community. The Moral Community with the boys petition to form the Triple VVV - Varsity Victory Volunteer. Between 150-160 Japanese American boys sign up. Tanaka joins and is sent to Schofield Barracks for one year. The VVV is disbanded when there is an anticipation of volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Tanaka recalls his duties and rank in the VVV.

video/m4v

0:25:37

2004OH0428_01_Tanaka

http://www.goforbroke.org/oral_histories/mp4/428-Tanaka-Harry-1.m4v

1921 May 15

Yes