Browse Items (7553 total)

Sukue “Skeets” Oji enrolled at Sacramento Junior College and took flying classes. However, Skeets did not complete his civilian flying classes because he was drafted. Skeet went to Presidio Monterey for his induction and was stationed at Moffett…

Sukeo “Skeets” Oji was at Gila for a short time before attending school fall of 1942. The 442nd formed in early 1943, and in September 1943, Skeets was called to active duty. He went to Camp Shelby, and he was assigned Heavy Weapons.

After…

Sukeo “Skeets” Oji discusses the rebuilding of Japan. He joined the 553rd engineering construction group to make housing in Sendai. He described the area after the bombing. The individuals who assisted with the rebuilding of Japan were Japanese…

Sukeo "Skeets" Skeets recalls the saddest part of the war was seeing political prisoners' dead bodies. He never forgot the smell of the bodies. The American troops advanced to the 2nd Infantry Division; Skeets received orders from the CIC to form an…

Sukeo "Skeets" Oji returned to the United States and was assigned to Engineer Section, Headquarters, 6th Army, Presidio, Monterey. In 1954, he was reassigned to Japan as the liaison officer between the Ministry of Construction and the US Army Forces…

Sukeo “Skeets” Oji worked for 42 years in the military and federal civil service. His hard work was due to his parent's upbringing. Skeets' mother was a picture bride who immigrated to the United States. She gave birth to eight children and raised…

In this interview, Oka describes begins by describing his experience as a school-aged Japanese-American boy growing up in Okayama Japan. When he was a teenager, he longed to return to the United States as his brothers had, and was opposed to the idea…

In this short segment, Oka is asked to provide a few details about stories told earlier in the interview. He also recounts the death of his younger brother in an air raid on Christmas Eve, 1944. The final minutes of the interview ask Oka to speak…
1999OH0089_T_Oka.pdf

2009OH0089A_T_Oka.pdf

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 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 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 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 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.

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.
2009OH0103A_T_Oka.pdf

2000OH0103_T_Oka.pdf

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Photo of four soldiers posing in uniform
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Photo of Walter Tadao Oka sitting on the top of a jeep
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Photo of Walter Oka posing in front of Hario Detachment 34th Infantry sign
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Photo of riverside traditional Japanese village
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Photo of a cherry blossom tree in bloom
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Photo of a railroad beside the sea
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Photo of railroad tracks
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Photo of railroad tracks with a lake in the background
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Photo of Walter posing in front of a Japanese shrine
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Photo of two soldiers posing in front of a shrine
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Aerial photo of a city street in Nara, Japan
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Photo of a busy crosswalk in Nara
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Photo of people walking around Nara
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Photo of a city street in Kyoto, Japan
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Photo of soldiers walking around a fountain
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Photo of a temple in Japan
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Photo of a pagoda temple in Japan
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Photo of a soldier posing i front of a pagoda temple
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Photo of the park entrance at a temple
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Photo of temple grounds
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Photo of a pagoda temple in Japan surrounded by trees
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Photo of a temple across a lake
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Photo of two Japanese women outside a temple
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Photo of a woman holding a paper umbrella in front of a lake
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Photo of the entrance to a temple
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Blurry photo of a river with a bridge in the background
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Photo of three deer at Nara Park
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Photo of Nara park
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Photo of a woman with an umbrella at Nara park
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Photo of a pond and building at Nara
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Photo of large temple with people walking in and out
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Photo of a rushing river surrounded by trees and rocks
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Photo of a railroad running alongside a river
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Photo of a rocky riverbed
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Photo of a blurry village by the lake
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Unblurry photograph of a lake with buildings along the way
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Photo of a small village near a lake with mountains in the background
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Photo of a brick building surrounded by trees
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Photo of a brick building with cars parked in front of it
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Photo of soldiers lounging and talking on a foggy dock
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Photo of soldiers sitting in a line, some looking at the camera
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Photo of soldiers sitting around on a boat
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Photo of soldiers sitting on top of roof of boat on a lake with mountains and a village in the background
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Photo of a village by the lake and mountain
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Photograph of soldiers sitting on a boat. The photograph has some sort of glitch that makes it appear anaglyph (3D)
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Photo of soldiers sitting on a dirt path at a base
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Photo of Walter Tadao Oka posing in front of a lake
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Photo of soldiers and a family sitting in a park
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Photo of a small village by the sea
2015.022_051.pdf

Scan of Walter Tadao Oka's Permanent Curfew Pass from the 35th Infantry Regiment given on 09/10/1948
2015.022_052.pdf

Scan of Walter Oka's temporary blue pass given by the 35th Infantry Regiment

Oka discusses his observations while in Occupied Japan. He details about his interactions with Japanese citizens. Oka also discusses his work with the Military Intelligence Service.

Oka, a native of Hawaii, describes witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent government and military presence in his family's home, including the monitoring of his brother's shortwave radio and the FBI's interest in his knowledge of…

Oka discusses more about his experiences in Occupied Japan. He details about his family and how he ended up in Ohio. Oka also discusses about the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV), Aikido, and his name and citizenship.
2011OH1030_T_Oka.pdf

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Maizuru Harbor in Naka Maizuru and Hiashi Maizuru, Kyoto-Fu, Japan
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Former Naval Base. Our camp in Naka Maizuru. Members of the 354th, 355th, and 356th HQ Intelligence Detachments.
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Our "home" life
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En route by boat to Taira Repatriation Center of Higashi Maizuru. Interrogation activities of Prisoners of War (POWs) from Russia.
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To and from Taira Reptriation Center. Tour of naval base in Naka Maizuru where a destroyer was fitted for repatriation to Russia.
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Continuation of tour. Snowfall en route from Kyoto, Shimonoseki, Kokuru, and Kyushu
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Summer trip to Miyazu and Amanohashidate
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Cherry Blossom - Miyazu
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Visit to Obama, a resort town north of Maizuru, where we rested
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Visit to Obama, a resort town north of Maizuru, where we rested
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Hiroshima City en route to visit my relatives north of the city. Top Right: my cousins on Miyajima
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Relatives in Hiroshima: Uncle Nagashima Family, Cousin Inouye, and Kageta Family in Hiroshima City
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Top: visit to Miyajima with cousins
Below: Hario Jima
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Hario Jima, Sasebo City, and a visit to Fukuoka City
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Kumamoto City. 3 month temporary duty with the military government. Castle, Billet.
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Kumamoto City and visit to Suizenji Park
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Suizenji Park with Nisei repatriates. Below: agricultural expert visit to villages.
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Continuation of village visits
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Hot springs village in mountain
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Kagoshima City
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Kumamoto City cherry blossoms
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Kumamoto City- Suizenji Koen picnic with Nisei repatriates. Hot springs
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