Shigeo Iwamasa oral history interview, part 1 of 3, September 11, 2007

Files

Dublin Core

Description

Shigeo Iwamasa is born November 12, 1923, in Waihee-Waiehu, Maui. Shigeo's father is an Issei from Yamaguchi Prefecture Japan, and his mother is from Hilo, Hawaii. Shigeo has five brothers and a sister.

Growing up, Shigeo has an active childhood. He works on the plantation with his father growing food, harvesting crops, school projects, and working part-time on the golf course as a caddie service. Although the Iwamasa family did not have a lot of money, Shigeo says they live an honorable life and are happy.

Shigeo reflects on the Pearl Harbor attack and the start of his Military Service. The process of enlisting happens quickly, and Shigeo regrets not telling his parents goodbye. Shigeo travels to the mainland and does basic training at Camp Shelby. At basic training, Shigeo makes friends with some of the mainland soldiers. One of his good friends is Shichizo Toyota. Shigeo discusses their friendship and the impact Shichizo makes on him.

After a year of basic training, Shigeo is shipped overseas to France. Overseas, Shigeo gets measles and is hospitalized. When Shigeo recovers, he receives orders to be a driver for a Major General.

Format

video/m4v

Identifier

2007OH0806_01_Iwamasa

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Date of Birth

1923 Nov 12

Location of Birth

War or Conflict

Branch of Service

Entrance into Service

Location of Basic Training

Citation

Iwamasa, Shigeo: narrator, Leivich, Joanne: interviewer, and Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher, “Shigeo Iwamasa oral history interview, part 1 of 3, September 11, 2007,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed December 22, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1053463.