Tanna discusses about the lighter sides of war and the Lost Battalion. He details about the Champagne Campaign. Tanna also discusses about his experiences with an Italian family, his squad mates, brother, and returning home.
Saito talks about his youth in Honolulu circa 1930s. His father was a merchant from Hiroshima; his mother was Nisei with parents from Hiroshima. Saito discusses his youth on Kaheka Lane before modern development and mentions Japanese cultural…
Siato discusses his experience working for Joseph Rider Farrington. He also talks about social stratification in Hawaii pre and post the attack on Pearl Harbor; with an emphasis on the newspaper industry in Honolulu. In addition he shares his…
Saito starts this segment discussing mass media communication differences between two rival newspapers in Honolulu. Saito also discusses his military basic training and how his military assignment changed from rifleman to mail clerk. He talks about…
Saito discusses his experiences on the front lines as a mail clerk. He shares recollections of other 442nd soldiers and describes what it was like for non-combatant soldiers: medics, mail clerk, drivers, etc. He also talks about recreational…
Saito talks about the legacy of the 442nd Regiment; and shares a poem written by social activist Noriko (Sawada) Bridges. He discusses his children and descendants and his life post-war. He also displays some photographs and talks about the photos.
Hara starts the interview discussing his family background and what it was like to grow up in a small rural town in Honolulu, Hawaii. Growing up, Hara's father went through a multitude of jobs, with a laundry business as the most memorable. As the…
During his high school summer years, Hara would work at a pineapple cannery to earn money for his family, while he lived with his uncle. Later, while working as a carpenter, the Pearl Harbor bombings occurred and all the Japanese were rounded up by…
Following Hara's voluntary service to the Army, he was shipped out from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii to Camp Shelby in Mississippi to undergo basic training. Along with the various training exercises, Hara also discusses fishing and the origin of his…
Hara discusses pass forging and sneaking out of the training barracks to go dancing with the locals. Next, he speaks about the differences between fighting in France and Italy. As a Jeep driver, Hara was able to get a lot of experience and was…
Hara was a bit of a troublemaker, and he gives a couple of anecdotes to prove it. Later, the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion found itself at the Dachau concentration camp after it had closed, and Hara speaks about the sights and smells of being in…
After his stint overseas, Hara is shipped back over to the United States and shortly after, home to Hawaii. He discusses getting back to Hawaii and finding work as a drafter and then architect technician. Next, he talks about meeting his wife and…
Kikuyama discusses about his family and childhood. He details about his social life and hobbies. Kikuyama also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and volunteering for the service.
Kikuyama discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby. He details about his combat experiences. Kikuyama also discusses about his best and worst experiences during Word War Two.
Kikuyama discusses about his friends and family. He details about his career post-war. Kikuyama also discusses about more about his hobbies and the treatment of Japanese Americans.
George Matsui grew up in Long Beach, CA, and his parents are farmers. George's father decided to go back to Japan when George was in junior high school. In Japan, George attended Japanese Grade School and learned the Japanese language. When George…
George Matsui was reassigned to MacArthur's Headquarters, Army Intelligence G2, Natural Resources Section after Japan surrendered. He recalls traveling to Fukuoka to see his family for the first time.
Konno discusses his parents and talks about his brother’s involvement with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He then talks about growing up on an orange grove in Azusa, California, his experiences with prejudice in high school, going to Japanese…
Konno discusses receiving visitors while at Pomona temporary detention facility, then volunteering to go to Heart Mountain incarceration camp to build barracks, as well as his interactions with the armed guards. He then talks about his desire to…
Konno discusses his experiences with prejudice in the 1940s, provides some thoughts regarding the end of the war, and talks about his assignments writing speeches for the Regimental Headquarters Company in Italy. While in Italy, Konno also had…
Konno discusses meeting his wife while in graduate school; and tells stories regarding their interracial relationship, including experiences with prejudice. He then talks about his children and grandchildren, and passing on Japanese culture and…
Tanakatsubo begins the interview talking about his family background and the origin of his name. Growing up in Sacramento, he was exposed to a very diverse population and made for a pretty happy childhood and schooling, including a well-known glee…
Tanaktsubo continues his discussion on moving from the main basic training camp to a segregated unit made up of all Japanese American soldiers. The team is moved to Fort Lewis then Camp Crowder, and finally to Camp Savage, doing menial military work…
After spending time at the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Tanakatsubo was sent overseas to begin interrogating in the Aleutian Islands where the Japanese were occupying some islands. It was there at the Battle of Attu…
Tanakatsubo discusses his years following his Army service, finding work in Chicago at a machine shop, working hard and making his way up the ranks, eventually ending in quality control. At the same time, he decided to start volunteering with…
Mukai talks about Bostonia, California. He talks about his fathers birthplace and family. He discusses his fathers discrimination. He shares his fathers experiences with discrimination. He describes the ingenuity of Japanese American immigrants. He…
Mukai continues to talk about his relationships with his siblings. He describes three childhood near drowning incidents. He describes the demographics of Bostonia, California. He discusses his experiences in high school. He talks about a mentor that…
Mukai talks about the fear amongst Japanese Americans following the Pearl Harbor bombings. He talks about what happened to his family farm after his forced removal. He describes the induction process. He discusses his combat training at Camp Shelby.…
Mukai describes his journey to Europe. He talks about landing in Glasgow, Scotland. He discusses traveling trough England. He talks about his arrival in LaHavre, France. He explains how he joined M Company. He describes the conversations that he had…
Mukai describes climbing the Apennine Mountains during the Gothic Line campaign. He talks about the time he spent in Belvedere. He discusses his units travel through Italy. He talks about the end of World War two and his final duties. He describes…
Mukai talks about the discussions between members of his unit before preparing to return to the United States. He explains why it was dangerous for Japanese American soldiers to fight in the Pacific. He describes his return to the United States. He…
Mukai talks about his courtship and marriage to Eugenia Sumiye Okoshi. Eugenia Sumiye Okoshi joins the interview. She talks about her birthplace. She describes her father's early life. She describes her family's bicoastal life. She discusses her…
Sakagami discusses memories from his childhood growing up in Auburn, Washington. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. Sakagami also discusses about his experiences in the Pindale Temporary Detention Facility.
Sakagami discusses more about his experiences at Pindale, but also his time at Tule Lake. He details about being drafted and basic training. Sakagami also discusses about the period before he was shipped out.
Sakagami discusses his voyage overseas. He details about his experiences at the Gothic Line. Sakagami also discusses about when he first joined up with the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Sakagami discusses more about his journey back home. He details about how he met his wife and his post-military life. Sakagami also gives a message to future generations.
Katagiri discusses what it was like growing up in Portland, Oregon. Katagiri paints a picture of his family life. Katagiri also details what is was like being a Japanese American before and after the events of Pearl Harbor.
Katagiri discusses what it was like living after the events of Pearl Harbor. Katagiri discusses what is was like living in the temporary detention facilities. Katagiri relates stories about moving and staying at the American Concentration Camp…
Katagiri discusses life after leaving Tule Lake, including moving to Minnesota and going to college. Katagiri also details about the experiences of being drafted and basic training. Katagiri discusses what it was like being stationed in Japan after…
Katagiri continues to discuss his experiences while in Japan after World War Two. Katagiri discusses about his life after returning from Japan, including finishing college and becoming a teacher. Katagiri answers questions from the audience.
Abe talks about his early life, parents, and family. He goes on to discuss his experiences while growing up as a Japanese American in the Pacific Northwest. Abe explains what happened in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He briefly…
Abe gets candid about the discrimination that Japanese Americans faced after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He also talks about his military and medical training . Abe discusses the formation of the 442nd. He explains the conflicts between Hawaiian…
Abe talks about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team's involvement in rescuing the Lost Battalion. Abe discusses the types of medical procedures he performed on the battlefield. He also explains the importance of medics. He describes the trips that he…
Abe describes his regiment's role in penetrating The Gothic Line. He briefly talks about the end of World War Two. Abe goes on to talk about his experiences while in medical school. He discusses his medical practice in Long Island. He talks about…
S. Ozaki discusses his youth growing up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. He talks about his parents and family life; and school experiences. He also discusses his recollections of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of being evacuated and the FBI…
S. Ozaki discusses his experiences, and the impact on his family, being evacuated from his home and moving to an internment camp in Arkansas. He also talks about some of his combat experiences in Europe. In addition he talks about: race relations in…
S. Ozaki talks about his life post war. He shares his thoughts regarding Japanese Americans who declined to serve in the military for World War 2, and his social activism work regarding reparations and redress. He also talks about his career and…
S. Ozaki discusses his thoughts and experiences Japanese American activism and American democracy. He also talks about the historical impact the events surrounding Executive Order 9066 left on the Japanese American community. He shares anecdotes…
Asai discusses about growing up on a farm. He details about his family and other aspects of his childhood. Asai also discusses about remembering December 7, 1941, volunteering for the service, his experiences with the 2nd Armored Division, and being…
Asai discusses about his experiences with the 2nd Armored Division and receiving Medical Corps training. He details about going overseas, arriving in France, and his experiences in Europe. Asai also discusses about his experiences in Germany and…
Asai discusses his homecoming experience and about his life after the war. He details about acting after retirement and his family. Asai's wife is interviewed and she discusses about her life during World War Two and her career.
Taniguchi describes his parent’s backstories. He talks about his early life in California. He describes his father’s physical features and his mother’s personality. He discusses his siblings. Taniguchi describes his experiences in Japanese language…
Taniguchi continues to talk about his community in Cortez, California. He briefly explains Kendo martial arts. He discusses day trips that he took with his father. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and Executive Order 9066. Taniguchi reveals…
Taniguchi describes the physical features of his community in Cortez, California. He talks about his stay in the Merced Temporary Detention Facility He also discusses his experiences in the Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. Taniguchi describes…
Taniguchi expresses his feelings about having to take a loyalty questionnaire. He explains the draft and induction process. He briefly talks about volunteering for Army service. He shares his knowledge of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He discusses…
Taniguchi revisits his experiences in the Amache Concentration Camp. He talks about the translation work that he did in Japan. He explains how the younger generation differs from his generation. Taniguchi describes how he met his wife. He talks about…
In this interview, Richard "Dick" Narasaki shares his childhood battle with tuberculosis and the loss of several members of his family to the disease, living with his grandparents in Santa Clara, and attending high school. He also recounts hearing…
Narasaki recalls his time at Tanforan Detention Center and tells us about his job washing dishes and the music and recreational activities. He recounts the journey to Topaz Internment Camp and the living conditions. He also describes the rift the…
Narasaki describes his embarkation and the journey across Europe to meet up with the 442nd Infantry Regiment. He recounts moments from combat including his first time using his rifle and the realization that German and US soldiers were similar.…
Narasaki continues his interview by sharing the first time he used his rifle in combat, and the conditions the soldiers endured. He also recounts hearing about the end of the war and earning enough points to return home. Finally, Narasaki tells us…
In the final part of his interview, Richard Narasaki shares his message to future generations on the importance of education and perseverance. He also implores youths to remember the impact that the 442 had and to take advantage of the opportunities…
K. Fujii discusses his experiences in Occupied Japan. He talks about jobs he had; describes the living conditions of Japanese civilians; and off-duty adventures he went on. He also talks about his life in Hawaii with his family, and shares his…
K. Fujii talks about his experiences in Occupied Japan and his post-war life. He shares anecdotes regarding: post-war Japan living conditions, living in Alaska and Mexico post-war, and experiences as an independent working artist. He also talks about…
K. Fujii shares photographs of his military service in Occupied Japan and basic training; his family; and his artwork. In addition he provides various information and anecdotes that may or may not pertain to the image displayed.
Mayeda discusses about his family and his parents immigration. He details about his childhood and life on the farm. Mayeda also discusses about his schooling.
Mayeda discusses about his schooling, childhood home, and community. He details about his childhood, family, and the events prior and after Pearl Harbor. Mayeda also discusses about forced removal and his children.
Mayeda discusses about his experiences at Santa Anita Detention Center. He details about his experiences in Jerome Concentration Camp, getting drafted, and basic training. Mayeda also discusses about joining the the Military Intelligence Service…
Mayeda discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his involvement in veteran's organizations and the community. Mayeda also discusses about his post-war life and gives a message to future generations.
Tanji discusses about growing up in Cressey, California and his family. He details about his schooling, hobbies, and friends. Tanji also discusses about his experiences with forced removal.
Tanji discusses about forced removal and his experiences at Merced Temporary Dentition. He details about his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. Tanji also discusses about volunteering for the Army, joining the Military Intelligence…
Tanji discusses about his duties in Washington D.C.. He details about his post-war life in California. Tanji also talks about his first wife, second wife, and children.
Tanamachi talks about her grandparents; and some of her mother's experiences including her childhood on Terminal Island, and her forced removal to Santa Anita temporary detention facility and Rohwer incarceration camp. She also talks about how her…
Tanamachi discusses a family friend who received a Congressional Medal of Honor, and talks about teaching grade school. She then talks about her activism work which involved changing the name of a road which previously had a derogatory name. She…
Kishi discusses about his family. He details about what it was like growing up inLivingston, California. Kishi also discusses about Pearl Harbor and his experiences with forced removal.
Kishi discusses about his experiences at Merced Temporary Detention Center. He details about his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp. Kishi also discusses about joining the Army, going to the Military Intelligence Service Language…
Kishi discusses about his impressions of Hawaiian soldiers. He details about his duties and experiences Japan. Kishi also discusses about coming home and his experiences with discrimination.
Kishi discusses about going to college and then working on the farm. He details about his community involvement, family, childrearing, and gives a message to future generations. Kishi also gives his opinion about redress and discusses more about his…
Morihiro discusses his childhood and family. He details about his experiences with discrimination. He also discusses about Executive Order 9066 and the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
Morihiro discusses his memories from Puyallup and Minidoka. He details about his journey to the army. Morihiro also reads a letter written by his father.
Morihiro discusses V-mail and the realities of war. He details about his journey to Camp Shelby and his experiences at Camp Shelby. Morihiro also discusses discrimination.
Morihiro discusses the relationship Mainland soldiers and Hawaiian soldiers. He details about his journey to the front line. Morihiro also discusses his experiences during the Champagne Campaign.
Morihiro discusses more about the Champagne Campaign and his other combat experiences. He details about how he got wounded and the aftermath. Morihiro also discusses Shiro Kashino.
Morihiro discusses fear, how to over it, and his mindset during the war. He details about how a friend got captured and the treatment of prisoners of war. Morihiro also discusses The Gothic Line and Po Valley.
Morihiro discusses more about The Gothic Line and Po Valley. He details how war can affect a person and the role of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Morihiro also discusses his post-war experiences in Italy and learning about Japan's surrender.
Morihiro discusses his careers after he left military. He gives details about the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Morihiro also discusses redress and gives a message to future generations.
Morihiro discusses a story about E Company's first combat experience. He details about his speech on Shiro Kashino. Morihiro also goes through the Go For Broke book pointing out details.
Senator Daniel Inouye describes how his parents and their families came from Japan to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. His parents were brought up very differently with his mother growing up an orphan within an adoptive Hawaiian Methodist…
Senator Daniel Inouye describes the effects of the proclamation of martial law in Hawaii including censorship, removal of Japanese cultural presence, and selective incarceration of Japanese Americans. He also talks about the differences between…
Senator Daniel Inouye talks about his reaction to being upgraded to receiving the Medal of Honor and his subsequent studies surrounding qualifiers for receiving medals and awards. He notes that recipients of awards are rarely medics. He then talks…
In this interview, Samuel Harano describes his early childhood in Hawaii and the tragic loss of his mother in a house fire. He recalls being sent to Japan where he spent his school years rebelling against an increasingly militaristic culture. Upon…
In the second part of his oral history interview, Samuel Harano recounts the constant skirmishes with the Japanese as they moved through the Burma jungle and interrogating prisoners. In particular, he goes into the importance of translating captured…
Asai discuses his family. He details about his childhood and farming community of Cortez, CA near Turlock. Asai also discusses Pearl Harbor and the resulting forced removal.
Asai discusses his childhood. He details his experiences at Merced Temporary Detention Center. Asai also discusses his experiences at Amache Concentration Camp and leaving camp to work in Cleveland.
Asai discusses his experiences in basic training at Camp Blanding. He details his experiences going overseas. Asai discusses his combat experiences in Italy and France.
Asai discusses being wounded and combat experiences. He details his experiences in Italy, most dealing with his non-combat experiences. Asai also discusses his homecoming experiences and the medals he received.
