On the day of the evacuation, Henry Gary Shiota recalls the check-in process by the JACL and going to Stockton Assembly Center. At the Assembly Center, the Japanese Americans are assigned Barrack numbers and given medical shots.
At Rohwer, the Issei parents help organize a school structure for their children. Part of the school structure is to encourage social activities and clubs. Later learns about the opportunities of leaving camp to attend school outside Rohwer or…
Henry Gary Shiota is 19 years old when he is inducted into the Army. Then Gary goes to Camp Maxey, TX, with 25 other Nisei. Gary learns the war is over during his third week at basic training. After eight weeks of basic training, Gary goes to Camp…
After Germany, Henry Gary Shiota is discharged from the Army. Later he re-enlists and goes to Military Intelligence Services Language School (MISLS). Gary goes through intense training to learn about Japan. At MISLS, Gary is one of the oldest…
Henry Gary Shiota's primary duty is to work on the war crime trials at Sugamo Prison. He discusses war crime trials in Japan and the atrocities in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies.
On Gary's days off, he visits Tokyo and relatives who live…
Enoch Kanaya was born March 14, 1925. His parents are from Okayama-ken, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. Enoch's parents were hard-working and loving parents. When the Great Depression happened, farming became difficult, and the Kanaya…
After the President of the United States signed Executive Order 9066, Enoch Kanaya and his family evacuated to the Portland Assembly Center. The Portland Assembly Center was a place where horses lived. Enoch describes the living conditions of the…
Enoch Kanaya reflects on his time in combat and his squad members.
He said their confidence in each other helped them do their jobs well and they trusted each other.
After the war ended, Enoch was assigned to guard the Prisoners of War (POWs)…
Before going overseas, Tetsuo Asato went on furlough and visited his sister in California. Tetsuo departed on the Aquitania. Although the voyage was rough, Tetsuo did not get seasick. He landed in Glasgow, Scotland, and traveled to South Hampton to…
Tetsuo Asato was 19 years old when he went overseas. He recalls the weight of carrying his weapons. The heaviness of the weapons did not become too strenuous on Tetsuo until he was trying to climb the mountain. Tetsuo recalls being a litter-bearer…
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura discusses learning his family history through relatives. His father, Yaichi Miyamura, and mother were from Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan. He immigrated to Gallup, N.M. briefly before returning to Japan to bring Hershey's mother…
During wartime, Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura worked at the Ford Agency and was the youngest mechanic at 17 years old. He recalls December 7, 1941, and hearing the news when he went duck hunting. Hershey was shocked and felt uncertain about the future…
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura describes his state of mind and feelings coming back from the war.
Post-war, Hershey went to school on the East Coast for engineering. At Christmas break, Hershey returned home and worked for his cousin for a few months.…
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura recalls the battle at the Yellow River with the Chinese soldiers and North Korean soldiers. There were many casualties on both sides.
On April 24, the Chinese assaulted Hershey's squad, and he gave orders for his men to…
Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura said during his POW camp experience, he had a positive outlook and had something to look forward to at home that helped him survive.
Hershey's wife, Terry, learned he was a POW in 1952 when the government released the…
Kawahara discusses his father and home life. He details his childhood, hobbies, and life during the Great Depression. Kawahara also discusses his high school years and more about aviation.
Kawahara discusses his prom experiences, life after high school, and his college studies. He talks about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath, including his experiences with forced removal and at Poston Concentration Camp. Kawahara also discusses about…
Kawahara discusses getting married, basic training, and his trip overseas. He details about his combat experiences and his post-war life. Kawahara's son (Sheldon) discusses about his relationship with his father and discusses about the legacy of the…
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…
When Jimmy Doi was classified as an enemy alien, he found a job working at a defense plant. Then his status changed to 1A, he was sent to Camp Blanding. A few weeks later, Jimmy’s brother, Michael Doi, left Camp Blanding to go overseas.
Michael Doi was born on May 25, 1920, in Camarillo, CA. Later the family moved to Oxnard, CA, when Michael was five years old. On December 7, Michael went to Los Angeles to watch a movie, and news of Pearl Harbor was announced. During this time,…
