Partial Transcript: Hershey said he thought positively during his time in the POW camp. He had a positive outlook and had something to look forward to at home helped him survive. Hershey's wife, Terry, learned he was a POW in 1952 when the government released the names of the POWs. Hershey was allowed to write letters to Terry. However, the Chinese government censored the letters. Some of the POWs would get a cigarette or a stick of gum in their letter. Hershey discusses Tom Sueki and other Hawaiian soldiers at the POW camp. He learned how to sing some Japanese songs and Hiragana.

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Keywords: correspondence; family; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: Hershey made friends a the POW camp. He recalls Tom Sueki and the other Hawaiian soldiers. To help pass the time, Hershey and another POW discuss opening a drive-in restaurant together in Gallup. The main topic of discussion was food, and they shared recipes. During the first month in camp, everyone went through interrogation and wrote an autobiography. The camp Hershey was at was also known as a reactionary camp. Hershey and the other POWs were given communist literature and had discussions. However, that only lasted a month until the Chinese government gave up.

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Keywords: Hawaiian soldiers; interrogate; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: Hershey discusses his time at the POW camp and the living conditions of living with nine other men. You have to have a positive outlook and look at the bright side to survive. In the camp, the POWs are allowed to listen to the radio, and Hershey learned they would be released. He recalls crossing the border and seeing the American flag. Hershey was in a state of shock because for a year and a half, he heard they would be going home, and now it was happening. After being malnourished, Hershey had to slowly ease his way back to eating food again.

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Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; living conditions; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: After leaving the POW camp, Hershey spent a week in Incheon, Korea, before going home. Hershey traveled by boat with the other men to build up his body strength before arriving home. The voyage was 19 days. However, for 11 days, Hershey was sick. The last two or three days of the journey, Hershey was able to eat something. Hershey was looking forward to eating spaghetti when he returned home, but he had to be careful what he ate. He needed time to get reaccustomed to ingredients and food spices. When Hersey arrived back in the United States, he stayed the night at the Mark Hopkins Hotel (Top fo the Mark). Terry, Hershey's father, and Hershey's sisters were there to greet him. The following day they drove to Los Angeles to visit Terry's mother. In Gallup, Hershey was surprised by a welcoming parade with dignitaries, jets, and the Gallup community.

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Keywords: family; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; travel

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Partial Transcript: After receiving the Medal of Honor, Hershey's life changed. He does public appearances, videos, and shares his war experiences with others. Being a Medal of Honor recipient, Hershey felt his duty was to show the country his gratitude and what the medal represents. The medal represents the millions of soldiers that survived and died for their service. Hershey and Terry have three children (two sons and one daughter) and four grandchildren. Their children and grandchildren are doing well and are healthy.

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Keywords: children; Hapa; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; post-war; Sansei; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: Hershey did not continue to be an auto mechanic because his tools were stolen from his cousin's shop. Hershey was offered a job selling property and accepted. After the first year, Hershey had to manage the store for about seven years. One of the agents was a veteran, and they became friends. The agent mentioned opening a service station and offered Hershey a job to manage the station two miles west of Gallup. He worked there for 25 years and raised his children on his salary. Hershey reflected on his life and said everything happened for a reason.

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Keywords: education; family; Nisei veterans; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Hershey wants to share with the future generations that they should vote and support their Congressmen or President, who they have faith in to make the right decisions for the people. Hershey encourages future generations to be good citizens to make a better world. Moreover, as a Korean War veteran, Hershey wants to share with the younger Korean generations what the United States did for Korea. Hershey's also talks about the recipients who were upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He felt it is too late, but it is better than not getting the recognition they deserve. All these men deserve citations and awards for their accomplishments.

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Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Medal of Honor; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; World War Two

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