Jimmy Doi and Michael John Doi oral history interview, part 1 of 2, March 7, 2007
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Michael and Jimmy Doi’s parents are from Yokohama, Japan. After eloping, they went to Oxnard, CA. In Oxnard, Michael and Jimmy's father was a farmer, and their mother was a housewife. There were four sons (Dick, Sam, Michael, and Jimmy) and one daughter (Mat).
In 1939, their parents returned to Japan and moved back to Chicago, IL, after the war for a few years. Michael and Jimmy's parents decided to settle back in Japan because all their friends were there. Michael and Jimmy describe their parents as gentle and caring.
Although their parents were Buddhist, the children were raised as Christian. A traditional holiday celebrated in the house was New Year. The children were taught well and grew up to be good citizens.
Michael and Jimmy discuss their school years and participating in sports. At home Michael and Jimmy help with house chores or farm work. Their oldest brother had two produce stores, and Michael helped. Michael and Jimmy recall December 7 and the aftermath that followed.
Jimmy recollects his Sunday School Teacher saying he was American. The following day, Jimmy's friends treated him differently at lunchtime, and he ate lunch alone. Although some people treated the Japanese Americans as an outcast, the Oxnard community treated the Japanese Americans well.
Almost a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Michael was drafted. He went to San Pedro, Camp MacArthur, before going to Rockford, IL. The Japanese American soldiers were assigned to the Medical Training Center, where Michael trained to be a medic and worked in a hospital as an attendant.
Later, Michael went to Camp Blanding, Florida, to be a replacement for the 442nd. Michael transitioned from being a medic to an infantryman. After completing training, he went overseas to be a replacement for the 100th and 442nd.
In 1939, their parents returned to Japan and moved back to Chicago, IL, after the war for a few years. Michael and Jimmy's parents decided to settle back in Japan because all their friends were there. Michael and Jimmy describe their parents as gentle and caring.
Although their parents were Buddhist, the children were raised as Christian. A traditional holiday celebrated in the house was New Year. The children were taught well and grew up to be good citizens.
Michael and Jimmy discuss their school years and participating in sports. At home Michael and Jimmy help with house chores or farm work. Their oldest brother had two produce stores, and Michael helped. Michael and Jimmy recall December 7 and the aftermath that followed.
Jimmy recollects his Sunday School Teacher saying he was American. The following day, Jimmy's friends treated him differently at lunchtime, and he ate lunch alone. Although some people treated the Japanese Americans as an outcast, the Oxnard community treated the Japanese Americans well.
Almost a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Michael was drafted. He went to San Pedro, Camp MacArthur, before going to Rockford, IL. The Japanese American soldiers were assigned to the Medical Training Center, where Michael trained to be a medic and worked in a hospital as an attendant.
Later, Michael went to Camp Blanding, Florida, to be a replacement for the 442nd. Michael transitioned from being a medic to an infantryman. After completing training, he went overseas to be a replacement for the 100th and 442nd.
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video/m4v
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2007OH0750_01_Doi
2007OH0750A_01_Doi
Citation
Doi, Jimmy: narrator et al., “Jimmy Doi and Michael John Doi oral history interview, part 1 of 2, March 7, 2007,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed December 22, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1058043.