Charles Oda oral history interview, part 2 of 5, May 14, 2005

Oda continues his recollection of his time with the 3 Year Swimming Club, in which they would get to travel throughout Hawaii and the United States for tournaments, and would be known as some of the best swimmers. It was thanks to this, that he would gain a scholarship for swimming at the University of Hawaii. Next, he talks about Pearl Harbor and seeing the smoke from afar at college, and thinking that it was just a training maneuver. He would find out shortly that it was the Japanese bombing Pearl harbor and would immediately head home. He then talks about Hung Wai Ching and the Varsity Victory Volunteers lobbying for an all-Japanese regiment, which would later become the 442nd Regiment. With encouragement from Ralph Yempuku, Oda would join the Army and head to Schofield Barracks before being sent to Camp Shelby to begin his basic training with H company and cannon company.

video/m4v

0:29:01

2005OH0567_02_Oda

http://www.goforbroke.org/oral_histories/mp4/567-Oda-Charlie-2.m4v

1923 Feb 09

Yes