Partial Transcript: Willie's family originally lived in California and moved to Beaumont, Texas. Willie is born March 1, 1921 when the family arrives in Texas. His parents are Issei and their names are Kumazo Tanamachi and Asao Hirayama. His mother is a picture bride. Willie is in the 171st Infantry Battalion Separate part of the 442nd.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 171st; 442nd; Camp Shelby; family; farming; Nisei; picture brides

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Partial Transcript: Father is a vegetable farmer in California. Willie shares a story about his father and a cat. Growing up his father is strict but fair. Willie's mother has Japanese values and helps with the housework and farming. In the 1920s growing up, there is no electricity.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: child rearing; Issei; Japanese identity and values; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie grows up with 12 siblings including himself. His parents' discipline depended on how they behaved - "hot stove discipline". He recalls a story from kindergarten and learning how to skip. His father teaches him how to skip through discipline.

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Keywords: child rearing; childhood activities; children; family; Issei; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie does not recall closeness with his father. His mother is the gentler one. She would hand sew their clothing and hand wash their clothes. She works hard around the house. The only thing Willie's mother wishes for is that her children excel in life.

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Keywords: child rearing; family; Issei; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie vaguely recalls the different homes he grew up in. At one house he remembers sleeping in a cot. Since there were 12 siblings they learn to tolerated one another.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: children; family; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie says there were six boys and six girls in his family. With a large family you need to know to survive. He recalls meal time consisting of meat, vegetable and rice. Oldest brother born in 1912. There are some siblings seven to nine years older than Willie. He names his siblings - Goro, Ichiro, Fumiko, Saburo, Rena, Walter,Yuri, Masa, Mary and Hiro (missing one name).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; family; farm; farming; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie is closest to Goro and Mary. He recalls school life. One memory Willie shares is being promoted a grade higher to be in the same grade as Goro. This causes Goro and Willie to share the same experiences. His Issei parents live a modest lifestyle and the religion they practice is Protestant. The first church Willie went to is Methodist.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Issei parents; Nisei; primary school

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Partial Transcript: Willie recalls the only holiday celebrated was New Year. On New Year the family would participate in making mochi. Also growing up he attends Japanese School. Before World War II (WWII) there was not that many Japanese Americans living in Texas. Willie says he is the only Japanese at the school.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Nisei; primary school

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Partial Transcript: Willie describes farming responsibilities growing up. One the responsibilities is heating the bath tube for bathing. The bath water is shared by the whole family.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; farm; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie did not grow up with electricity. He describes what they used for lighting. The kerosene lighting is their primary source of light during the night. For warmth they use a heated stove and water is retrieved from outside. The restroom is an outhouse.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; farm; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie grows up on a farm. His father grows vegetables for their income. Before having tractors, his father use mules to help with the crops. If there was an opportunity for free time, the kids play baseball.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie recalls different schools he attends around Beaumont, Texas. At one particular school, the students look forward to when the teacher lets one of the student out to dust off the chalkboard erasers.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school

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Partial Transcript: Willie recalls first grade teacher, Ms. Monroe. She promotes him to the second grade. He feels that she did not judge him on his Japanese ancestry but rather looks at him as a student. He also remembers memories of winning a prize at a contest and a time when he is punished by Ms. Monroe. Willie reflects on when he was called a "jap".

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "Jap"; education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; race discrimination; racism

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Partial Transcript: Although money is a sacristy for the Tanamachi family, there were opportunities for them to go to country fairs or watch movies. Willie cherishes these moments. He recalls watching Gone with the Wind.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Willie takes the bus to school because he lives on the farm. School is determine by the bus route. The demographic of the school is primarily Hispanic. He also recalls visiting Mexico because it is less expensive.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; education; farm; Nisei; primary school

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Partial Transcript: Willie speaks Japanese and English at home. He also learns Spanish to speak to the farm workers. Growing up his role model is his parents. He also recalls a former classmates.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: After graduating San Benito High School in 1933, Willie works on the farm until going to the army. He remembers having a different dream for the future almost every month. Willie joins the army to get off the farm. He enlisted in Army Air Corp then Brookes Army Airfield September 1940.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Army Air Corps; farm; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: There is no formal training when Willie enlisted. Approximately two weeks of training. One of the benefits of growing up on a farm is waking up early. This is not a problem for Willie unlike other soldiers in his unit. He recalls other soldiers being punished for not being able to wake up early. During training, they lived in tents. After six weeks, Willie volunteers to go to Puerto Rico.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; homecoming; Japanese Americans; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: Willie faced racism and is transfer out.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; racism

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