Jack Sameshima talks more about his children and how he pushed them to receive a college education. While working for the Army, he also worked at a local grocery store and was a bartender at a country club. He talks briefly about the Red Ball Express…
Jack Sameshima talks about his experience fighting on the Gothic Line, which was his first experience in combat. During the battle, he was wounded from a piece of shrapnel, and was taken to a general hospital in Naples. He was later shipped back to…
Jack Sameshima talks about being drafted into the army and his basic training experience at Camp Shelby. He was sent to the European Theater, landed in France, then was transported to the Champagne Campaign. He describes his experience in the BAR…
Jack Sameshima was born in Seattle, Washington. His father came from Kumamoto, Japan, and his mother was a Nisei from Hawaii. When he was younger, his family moved from Seattle to Minot, North Dakota, then to Whitefish, Montana, and back to Seattle…
After his time in the service, Nagano would begin his career as a trader of securities. He would work for a couple of different firms before retiring and opening up his own firm with some partners, called Westfield Investment Group. Next, he…
Nagano continues his recollection of his time overseas during the war. He talks about his experience in a shell hole and seeing people fish with concussion grenades. He would be an interrogator of prisoners of war while in New Guinea and was then…
Nagano discusses his high school days, which included playing basketball and being able to take a trip down to Mexico to play against a team there. He would also take part in socials and be part of a club called the golden bears. He would attend…
Nagano begins the interview talking about his family background and his grandfather immigrating from Japan to Canada. The family would enjoy success there but Nagano's father decided he wanted to pursue opportunities in California. He would move to…
Kawakami discusses his post-war life. He talks about Tokyo Rose. Kawakami also discusses a friend who fought in the rescue of the Lost Battalion and gives a message to future generations.
Kawakami discusses Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He details his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Center and Topaz Concentration Camp. Kawakami also discusses being drafted, his experiences in post-war Japan, and the importance in Nisei…
Kawakami discusses his family and childhood. He details meeting an uncle in Japan and his experiences during the Great Depression. Kawakami also discusses his experiences with prejudice.
Hirose discusses more about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about facing discrimination and starting a business in Japan. Hirose also discusses his family and Japanese culture.
Hirose discusses he childhood and family. He details about his experiences with forced removal and incarceration camps. Hirose also discusses about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
Yokooji talks about rejoining the Army reserves in the civil affairs division; discusses his experiences during the Vietnam War including his assistance with Army war plans in Thailand; and provides some thoughts regarding his military service.…
Yokooji discusses his reasons for volunteering to go to Korea and talks about his assignment during the Korean War interrogating POWs. He then talks about his relationship with a company commander; discusses the end of the Korean War; talks about…
Yokooji talks about meeting his wife while visiting Rohwer Concentration Camp; discusses the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers; and talks about recreational activities while at basic training. He then talks about his relationship…
Yokooji talks about basic training at Camp Shelby; discusses 442nd Regimental Combat Team replacement soldiers; talks about the merging of the 100th and 442nd; and discusses going to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning. He then talks about…
Yokooji discusses how his family traveled to and from the Hawaiian Islands; discusses his reasons for volunteering; and provides some thoughts regarding World War Two and opportunities for Nisei during the war. He then talks about the "Go for Broke"…
Yokooji discusses his experiences post high school including farming with his father, working at the Dole Cannery, and working as a carpenter for the Department of Defense. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath including…
Yokooji discusses his nickname; moving to different Hawaiian islands as a child; and his experiences while living on Lanai including attending school, his childhood bicycle, and discussing a swimming accident that resulted in the deaths of his…
Shimoyama discusses his time in Japan including talking about helping feed Japanese civilians; and visiting relatives and temples. He then talks about going to UCLA and working as a chemist after graduation. Shimoyama also talks about his wife and…
Shimoyama talks about basic training at Fort Snelling for Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and his assignments in Seoul, Korea translating Korean newspaper articles. He then talks about the differences between Korean and Japanese language,…
Shimoyama discusses his father including talking about helping his father with his gardening business after school. He then talks about his mother and siblings; and recalls spending time on Hollywood Boulevard as a child and being neighbors with John…
Oka discusses finding a career and other aspects of his post-war military life. He shows of his medals and gives a message to future generations. Oka also shows a number of photographs.
Oka discusses his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) while stationed in the Philippines. He details about his family that were in Japan during World War Two and his experiences while in Japan. Oka also discusses returning to the…
Oka discusses his family and living situation once his father decided to go to Japan. He details Pearl Harbor, being drafted, and basic training. Oka also discusses about working as a truck driver, infantry training, joining the Military…
Oka discusses the translation process and helping the Japanese citizens. He details about culture differences and reflects on time that he spent in Japan. Oka also gives advice to the United States Army regarding occupation.
Oka discusses what it was like growing up in Watsonville, California. He details about moving to Japan and his experiences while living there. Oka also discusses what it was like upon returning to the United States.
Oka discusses living in pre-war Japan. He details about his duties while in the Philippines and arriving in Japan. Oka also discusses his duties while in Japan and his interactions with Japanese citizens.
Kikuchi shows and describes photographs taken during World War Two while he was overseas including images of a bivouac area, other Japanese American soldiers, his platoon, and Milano, Italy. Lastly, Kikuchi shows and describes some of his wooden…
Kikuchi discusses experiencing enemy fire; talks about the end of the war; and discusses his combat experiences at Po Valley. He then talks about the Army point system; getting a pass to travel in Italy and Switzerland post-war; and attending college…
Kikuchi tells a story regarding the capture of German soldiers; discusses his guard duty assignment; and talks about receiving orders to go to Italy. He then talks about his experiences in Nice and Marseille; discusses arriving in Livorno; and…
Kikuchi talks about getting drafted; his induction; and basic training at Camp Shelby. He then talks about his relationship with Hawaiian soldiers; discusses weapons he carried; and talks about traveling overseas. Next, Kikuchi discusses landing…
Kikuchi describes Manzanar Concentration Camp including discussing the living conditions, barracks, food, and his job as a lifeguard. He then talks about his parents' jobs at Manzanar; discusses the riots; tells a story in which he escaped but…
Kikuchi discusses his father including talking about his immigration to the United States, employment, and experiences in college. He then talks about attending Japanese language school, attending high school, growing up in Los Angeles, playing…
Doi discusses his wife; talks about education reform and equality in Japan; discusses Monbusho (Ministry of Education); and talks about private universities in Japan. Next, Doi discusses why he almost attended Todai (University of Tokyo); discusses…
Doi discusses corresponding with his wife while he was in Japan; talks about his first impressions of Japan; and discusses some of his experiences with Japanese citizens. He then talks about his involvement with the Civil Information and Education…
Doi discusses about his early life experiences and gives some detail about his family background. He details about how he ended up in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Doi also discusses about his experiences in the Philippines and in occupied…
Isamu Sugimoto talks about what it was like spending time with other Nisei soldiers. He discusses being discharged. He describes his life in Kansas City, Missouri. He talks about his employment after the war. He discusses reuniting with his…
Sugimoto talks about his friendship with Marvin Smith. He discusses the people who supported Japanese Americans amid their forced removal. He describes his family's forced removal. He explains what happened to his family's property after they were…
Sugimoto talks about his birthplace in Yuma, Arizona. He shares his parents backstories. He explains how his father immigrated to the United States. He describes his parents marriage. He discusses his siblings. He talks about high school. He…
Shimada continues his conversation about his work in California prior to joining the Army. At the time, he was one of the best in his business. Next, he speaks about being a cook in the Army, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Finally, he…
Isamu Shimada begins the interview with his family background and what it was like to grow up in California. As his family was poor, he would grow up in a small house and would work for most of his childhood on the farms. It was there that he learned…
During the Occupation of Japan, Isamu "Sam" Saito got an opportunity to travel around Japan. He recalls visiting Osaka, and the locals have their dialect. Luckily, his cousin from Yokohama helps translate for him.
After Camp Shelby, Isamu "Sam" Saito went to Fort Snelling. There were approximately 2,000 soldiers at Fort Snelling training to go overseas. The curriculum focused on reading and writing. Sam discusses his daily schedule at the Japanese school.
…
Isamu "Sam" Saito describes life in the camp. Minidoka was the third-largest in Idaho, with approximately 12,000 Japanese American internees. Inside the camp, the people developed a police station, fire station, hospital, and administration.…
Isamu "Sam" Saito discusses his friends' and parents' reactions after Pearl Harbor. One evening after the attack, Sam's parents burned items connected with Japan.
When Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) was announced, Sam's family prepared for…
Isamu "Sam" Saito recalls his school years. At school, the students are primarily Japanese Americans. The teachers had a hard time pronouncing the Japanese names. Therefore, many of the Japanese American students used English names for the benefit of…
Isamu "Sam" Saito was born on April 27, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. His parents are from Japan and immigrated to the United States for a better opportunity. Sam's parents are instrumental in shaping him in his informal years of education.
Kaneshiro discusses his induction, language training, and basic training experiences. He details about his experiences in the Philippines and in post-war Japan. Kaneshiro also discusses his post war life.
Kaneshiro discusses the reforms that occurred throughout the occupation of Japan and the reconstruction was done throughout the country. Next, he talks about the value of the Nisei linguist throughout the occupation and how it was much easier to do…
Kaneshiro discusses his family, being raised by a single parent, and other aspects of his childhood. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Kaneshiro also discusses his employment and his life during World War Two.
Kaneshiro begins the interview talking about his whereabouts when Japan surrendered. As he was already on a ship heading to Manila with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), he would go to the Philippines first, then head to Tokyo. Once he…
Kawanishi discusses reactions to coming home from the war and beginning his career as a watch maker. After this he would work in grocery stores, where he would meet his second wife and start a family with. He then talks about his past interactions…
Kawanishi continues his recollection of his time at Camp Shelby in Mississippi as he began his basic training with the 442nd Regiment. He talks about the Hawaiian soldiers and segregation he saw in the South, as well as a few times he got in trouble…
Kawanishi begins the interview with an introduction and talking about his family that immigrated from Japan to Los Angeles. He would briefly go back to Japan and then return where he would fish with his father and get involved with various sports…
Inouye discusses his wife and attending college. He details about the reactions to the Atomic Bombings. He shows the bullet that wounded him and his entry wound. He also gives a message to future generations.
Inouye discusses his post-war experiences and about his time spent at Fort Lawton. He details about an indecent during a Japanese orientation class and wanting to goto college. Inouye also discusses his experiences becoming and working as a Dental…
Inouye discusses five days passes and details more about being wounded. He details about his stay in the hospital and trying to save a clubhouse. Inouye also discusses the recovery process after getting wounded.
Inouye discusses learning the realities of war. He details about the landing of Salerno and he also reflects on combat decisions. Inouye also discusses how he got wounded.
Inouye discusses receiving a promotion that he did not not want. He details about having an issue with a commanding officer. Inouye also discusses his combat experiences in Italy.
Inouye discusses the events before and after Pearl Harbor. He details about The Battle of Midway. Inouye also discusses the journey to the Mainland and the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He details about the events before…
Inouye discusses his childhood and schooling. He details being a Christian. Inouye also discusses about the political scene of Hawaii and being drafted before Pearl Harbor.
Tsuji goes through his collection of photographs, ranging from his childhood to right before being shipped to the mainland to Europe. He gives descriptions and anecdotes of the people and items in the pictures and even tells a touching story of two…
Tsuji continues his recollection of Camp Shelby and being shipped overseas to Oran in North Africa. Spending two weeks there, his regiment awaited their shipment to Naples in Italy where they would begin their first day. Tsuji talks about getting to…
Tsuji discusses traveling through Europe during the war with some guys in his company, taking a Jeep into Florence and noticing the cathedrals and buildings, which interested him. He would explore the area more and take pictures of various places,…
A couple of years following Pearl Harbor, Tsuji decided to join the Army and was being shipped to the mainland in just 10 days later. He speaks on the transportation to San Francisco and then to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. During his time at Camp…
While recovering from his wound, Tsuji would be given a 45 day furlough, in which he originally wanted to go back home to Hawaii, however, after talking with officers, he decided upon traveling and seeing Chicago and New York and when he returned, he…
Tsuji begins by talking about the New Years traditional film he would watch portraying the 47 Ronin. Next, he begins an in depth recollection of Pearl Harbor, from listening in on the radio to seeing the fire ball and smoke from a distance. He…
While in Bruyeres, Tsuji would be wounded in action and talks about the intricacies of that. He also talks about his time in Marseille and being able to take a pass to explore the local shops and find that the black market was alive and well. He…
Tsuji discusses about his childhood in Honolulu, recalling the New Years celebrations, the population of his schools and the friends that he had. Next, he looks back at the segregation that he saw both in Hawaii and later in Mississippi while…
Tsuji talks about his experiences in combat, including the differences between what was learned in basic training and how things are actually handled on the front lines. He also talks about the various differences between the German and American…
Tsuji discusses his family and background. He gives in depth descriptions and memories of his mother, father and 8 siblings. Next, he speaks about attending Japanese language school and the end of his classes, punctuated by the Pearl Harbor…
Tsuji begins the interview discussing a big fight that occurred between the caucasian and Nisei soldiers while at Newport News and how the military police had to get involved in order to break up the fighting. Next, he talks about spending a week in…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his family and about sharing his story with future generations. He goes on to describe the different medals that he was awarded, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Italian Cross, and the…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his return to France to be with his unit after one of the sections was bombed. He talks a little about the Champagne Campaign, the Gothic Line and Po Valley Campaigns. He describes his homecoming and…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about the time when he went on a night patrol with Colonel Young Oak Kim to capture German soldiers. He also describes when he tripped a German mine and was sent to a hospital in Naples.
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about the Battle of Cassino -- where he escaped a falling mortar shell. He shares some funny personal stories from his time in Cassino.
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi talks about his training experience at Camp McCoy and getting into fights with the recruits from the 2nd Infantry Division. He was later sent to Camp Shelby for more training and assigned to be a rifleman in B…
In this video clip, Irving Akahoshi discusses being drafted into the military before the war began. He describes what he remembered from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon his return to Schofield Barracks, all of the Japanese American recruits were…
Matsuda discusses his post-war life and employment in Denver, Colorado. He shares about his children and grandchildren. Lastly Matsuda discusses the importance of the Japanese American story.
Matsuda discusses his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp and leaving camp. He details his experiences in Colorado and being drafted. Matsuda also discusses his experiences with basic training, his time in Italy and his homecoming experience.
