Funeral marker and floral arrangements for soldier killed in action, Sadamu Koito, Company K, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, killed in France on October 28, 1944.
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada discusses a variety of topics. Initially, he talks about the latter portion of his military service and reflects upon some of the locals that he met during his time in the Pacific Islands. Okada moves on to…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada discusses his experiences serving in Japan post-war with the Allied Occupation Forces. Specifically, he recalls meeting different people in Japan and noticing different socioeconomic factors in post-war Japan.…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada shares memories from his time serving in the Philippines with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). After moving on from the Philippines, Okada volunteered to serve in Japan with the Allied Occupied forces as…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada begins a new day of interviews by reintroducing himself and providing some background information. Okada then recalls his time on a troop ship headed to New Guinea and how men would pass the time during travel.…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his experiences as a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) serving in the Pacific Theater. Specifically, Okada served in New Guinea and the Philippines. Okada also talks about meeting his…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada discusses more of his training before eventually shipping out to go overseas. Okada recounts his group going through basic training under a strict colonel at Fort Blanding and persevering until there was a mutual…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his training to become a linguist with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). First, Okada attended MIS Language School at Camp Savage in Minnesota before receiving a two-week furlough. During that…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada describes his time in Hawaii and his memories of the events leading to Pearl Harbor and war breaking out. He recalls seeing Hawaii change greatly after Pearl Harbor before talking about his own decision to…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada begins by speaking about the pumping stations that he previously worked while growing up in Hawaii. After that, he recalls seeing a friend from Hawaii while serving overseas in New Guinea. For the remainder of…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada gives an introduction and a glimpse into his childhood in Hawaii. He discusses his parents and their background while describing their hard work at the plantation and the tough conditions of his upbringing. Okada…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada joins his wife Tsugie in discussing her background and their life together. The couple talk about how they met, their wedding, and starting a family together. Lastly, they talk about their long marriage and how…
Kubota discusses about digging a trenches for sleeping during wartime and how he suffers from a back injury. In the Vosges Mountain, soldiers are afraid of tree burst from shrapnel. So the trenches are covered to protect them from danger. In the…
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…
Kubota discusses his Father immigration from Hiroshima, Japan. His Father is able to come to the United States in 1903 through sponsorship of his own Father. He works on the plantation before returning to Japan to marry his Mother. His parents…
Sachio Takata recollects his time at basic training at Camp Blanding training to be a replacement for the 442nd. He made a few friends in the Army. However, if you were not in the same company or platoon, it was harder to build a relationship. Sachio…
In 1940, Sachio Takata graduated high school and went to the Delta Islands to work in the celery field. Sachio wanted to save money to further his education and attend medical school.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066, Sachio and his…
Sachio Takata was born on March 14, 1923, in Southern California. Sachio's father, Kizo, was from Kagoshima, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. He met Sachio’s mother, Hatsumi, from Hawaii, and they married. Sachio is the oldest of ten…
Mr. Watanabe discusses the importance of Nisei storytelling and committing these stories to tape through oral histories. He next describes what it was like coming back to Hawaii after the war and talks about the important event of Hawaiian statehood.…
Mr. Watanabe first discusses where he was born and raised, and talks about his passion for music, which included a career as a musician. Leading a unique military career, Mr. Watanabe served in the 442nd and the MIS, before he was finally assigned to…
Nishime concludes his interview recalling his return to Italy, the end of the war, and the long journey home. After being discharged,Nishime describes getting married, his two children, his four grandchildren, as well as his hopes for the future…
Nishime describes the Anzio Beachhead and preparing for battle, as well as numerous combat stories and joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He describes his travels to Bruyeres, becoming a Jeep driver, joining the 1st Platoon, and helping to…
Nishime describes arriving in Italy and facing combat, being wounded by shrapnel, receiving the Purple Heart Medal at a hospital, as well as rejoining the 100th Infantry Battalion. This part of the interview focuses on stories of combat and various…
Nishime describes the numerous Captains he has served under, as well as their replacements, and discusses memories of Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. In addition, he recounts the training for combat, his interactions with the 442nd Regimental Combat…
Nishime recalls rumors after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the ramifications after the attack. Next, he focused on going back to Kauai, his changing duties, leaving to join the 100th Infantry Battalion, and traveling across the country by train.…
Nishime recalls reading adventure stories, events of his life after high school and his first job. This includes brief discussions about his attending vocational school, learning about Europe and Japan in 1940, and recounting the events of the…
Nishime discusses his family history, his family's farm and working in a pineapple field, as well as attending Japanese language school. In addition, he goes on to talk briefly about the differences between being Japanese and Okinawan, as well as…
Doi reads a description about special services. He details about his post-war career. He details about his family. Doi discusses about his antiwar protest and retirement.
Doi discusses about why he joined and his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He details about the role of Special Services and his interactions with Hawaiian soldiers. Doi also discusses about his family and experiences at…
Doi discusses his experiences Fort Snelling, Camp Savage, and discussing Military Intelligence Service (MIS) personnel. He details his assignment in Headquarters Company. Doi also discusses about picnics and banking at Camp Savage.
Doi discusses about living in Seattle. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Doi also discusses about volunteering for service, the affects of incarceration, and his wife.
Doi discusses about schooling, friends, and social activities. He details about the Japanese community growing up and religion. Doi also discusses about high school, life afterwards, the Great Depression, and living own his own.
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa describes the Rescue of the Lost Battalion and the Battle of Bruyeres. He talks about Colonel Pursall, who commanded the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during those two battles, and what he did for the 442nd Regimental…
Rudy Tokiwa describes his experience overseas to fight in the European Theater. After 27 days aboard ship, he and the rest of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team landed in Italy, where they met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Rome. He describes…
When Rudy Tokiwa came back to Salinas after the war, the Harrington family took him in. He had been good friends with Mrs. Harrington's son (all five sons were killed in action in the Philippines), and she saw him as her sixth son. Because of this,…
Rudy Tokiwa was inducted into the military at Fort Douglass in Utah. He was then sent to report to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, but spent a layover in New Orleans for four days. His Japanese language skills were tested at Fort Snelling, but he pretended…
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was sent to the Gothic Line, which was the backbone of German defense during World War II. Rudy Tokiwa describes how the 442nd made the advance at night, and it took them two days to overtake it. He talks about his…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa describes the activities he participated in at Poston War Relocation Center. He describes the social events that were held in camp, which is where he learned to dance. He also describes his decision to volunteer to…
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, K Company was ordered by General Dahlquist to rescue the 141st Texas Regiment, who had been surrounded by German forces in the Vosges Forest. They were led by Colonel Pursall. Rudy Tokiwa discusses his close…
Rudy Tokiwa and his family were taken to the Salinas Assembly Center for four months.They were later relocated to the Poston War Relocation Center. From there, he and many others volunteered to join the United States Army. There were many discussions…
While on the front lines, the Nisei soldiers made sure to watch out for minefields. Rudy taught the new recruits how to look for mines and told them not to yell "mines" -- or else the others would jump for cover and potentially set off more mines. He…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his many experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination against Japanese Americans. He talks about the time the FBI broke into their home the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and trashed his…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his experience in the European Theater. He took part in the beach landing in Anzio, Italy, and met up with the 100th Infantry Battalion in Rome. His first experience in combat was during the advance to…
Rudy Tokiwa describes his trip to Manchuria, where he and his parents visited his pregnant sister. His brother-in-law took him sight seeing in Manchuria and Korea. During his time in Manchuria, he noticed that the Manchurians respected the Japanese…
Rudy Tokiwa talks about his father, who immigrated to America from Japan. He was highly educated for an immigrant, and was known to give advice to other Japanese immigrants in America. Rudy also talks about his mother, who was brought over to the…
Rudy Tokiwa talks about growing up on a farm in Salinas, California. When he was in high school, he moved to Japan and traveled to Manchuria and Korea. He describes what it was like living in Japan and how his fellow Japanese students treated him --…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about visiting his father's family in Japan. During his time in Japan, he also traveled to Manchuria and Korea because his brother-in-law worked for the Japanese railroad company. His father came to America…
Roy Yokote shares photos of his time in Europe serving with the 442nd. In particular, he shares photos and experiences of his time working and traveling in Italy.
Roy Yokote reflects on the German POWs he guarded towards the end of the war and the difference between German and American weaponry. He also describes his experiences working as an x-ray technician both in Naples and in the US after his return.…
Roy Yokote recounts the events leading up to his family's evacuation, the resulting economic losses, and the emotional toll. He describes his family's experience and living conditions at the Marysville Assembly Center and Tulelake Relocation Center…
In this segment, Roy Yokote focuses on his education from grammar school through his first semester of college. He also recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the reactions of his parents and fellow students afterwards.
Roy Yokote talks about his childhood growing up in rural California and how Japanese culture played a part in it. He also goes into his family history-- in particular, the backgrounds of his mother and father before moving to the United States and…
Tsuya describes what winter was like on the front lines. He briefly talks about the Lost Battalion. He discusses the Champaign Campaign. He explains how he was injured. He describes his return to the United States. He talks about his time in business…
Tsuya describes the discrimination he witnessed and experienced. He talks about rations. He explains how he communicated with his family while he was overseas. He discusses his military wages. He explains how he prepared to go overseas. He talks…
Tsuya talks about his friend's war record. He discusses his time at Schofield Barracks. He describes Iolani Palace. He talks about his journey to the Mainland. He discusses his time at Camp Shelby. He describes being assigned to E Company. He talks…
Tsuya continues to talk about his involvement in a Buddhist church. He talks about working in a restaurant. He explains his interest in cooking. He describes his journey to Honolulu, Hawaii. He discusses his work on a planation as a chef. He talks…
Tsuya and the interviewers introduce themselves. Tsuya talks about his early life on the plantation. He describes Lihue, Kauai. He discusses Japanese language school. He lists the languages spoken in his home. He shares his parent's backstories. He…
Sato talks about his career history, first getting his pilots license and getting a position at North American Aviation, working on various projects. After they closed down, he would then work for for the Navy, helping to assemble Neptune bombers…
Sato looks through a few more pictures, while narrating his whereabouts at the end of the war, going from Ghedi through Florence, processing prisoners of war, and getting promoted to staff sergeant. As he didn't have enough points to head home yet,…
Sato continues talking about his war experiences such as, going from France back to Italy and members of the unit getting the measles. Around this time, he would receive a flamethrower and would learn how to use that and mix the fluid that is used.…
Sato begins this portion of the interview by looking through a couple of pictures, and then speaks about his shipment overseas, which took around 11 days in a convoy. When arriving in France, the weather would be cold, having snow on the ground and…
While in the camps, Sato would be faced with the loyalty questionnaire, in which he would answer yes, yes, effectively placing himself in the draft. At the time, his mother did not want him to join the Army, but would end up getting drafted and…
Sato continues talking about growing up in Fresno, including finding out that because he was Japanese American, he was only allowed to swim at the local pool at certain times. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he and his family would be forced to…
Sato begins the interview talking about being born in Stockton, and then moving to Fresno at the age of three. He would grow up in Fresno on a farm, selling vegetables and fishing occasionally, though he did not enjoy it. Next, he talks about his…
