Partial Transcript: Ken discusses his experience in Italy. He says it is scary times, but he is thankful to be alive. Ken believes the Nisei contribution in World War Two will help future generations against discrimination. Ken says he is American, he has to serve and protect his country. He is proud of his time in the Army. However, he wishes the units would have been integrated rather than segregated units.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; enemy alien; European Theater; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Around May or June, a Captain from Camp Snelling contacts Ken saying they need 125 volunteers to go to the Pacific. Ken takes the language exam and passes. Ken leaves Italy and returns to the United States to Fort Sheridan, Illinois. One regret Ken has during the war is not corresponding with his Issei parents.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Camp Snelling; correspondence; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei soldiers; occupation; post-war; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ken returns home to the United States and receives notice his leave is cut to 30 days. After his 30 days leave, Ken reports to Camp Snelling for Japanese Language School for six months. Ken discusses his thoughts on the Hiroshima atomic bombing. War is bad.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Japanese language school; military occupation; Nisei soldiers; occupation; post-war; prejudices; race discrimination

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses his Military Intelligence Service training. He recalls the winter of 1945 and using his weekend pass to visit St. Paul. Ken says he has to wear his uniform at all times even on his pass. Ken learns how to ice skate and ski.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Snelling; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; post-war; sports

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Partial Transcript: Ken says there is no problem with the treatment in St. Paul. Ken even dates a hakujin briefly. Ken discusses his relationship with the other guys in Military Intelligence Service training (MIS).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Camp Snelling; dating; friendship; Hakujin; Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service Language School; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; post-war

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Partial Transcript: The Military Intelligence Service Language training ends in April, and Ken is sent to Japan. Ken says the voyage through Alaska is rough, but he does not get seasick. Ken volunteers for Kitchen Patrol (KP) duty.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service; military occupation; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; occupation; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses the lack of food in Japan. At Camp Zama, Ken is there for three weeks on guard duty. The areas in Japan are burned down and destroyed from the bombing. He describes the differences between what Japan looks like in 1939 and post-war. After Camp Zama, Ken is assigned to Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) in Tokyo, Japan.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service; military occupation; Nisei; occupation; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Ken discusses experiencing an earthquake in Japan. Ken says he is on the seventh floor at ATIS. Ken is informed to return to the States, but he wants to stay a little longer to visit his relatives. Ken inquires about a civilian job and takes an exam. Ken signs a one-year contract for civilian work. He describes his salary and living conditions as a civilian.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese American soldiers; living conditions; military occupation; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; occupation

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ken discusses interacting with the locals. Ken says he did not feel any resentment from the locals, and he made friends with a few of them. Ken is a translator for two years in Japan. Ken also collects folk songs from different regions of Japan. Ken explains the meaning of folk songs.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese American soldiers; military occupation; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; occupation; post-war; translation

Subjects: