Partial Transcript: Leaving the big island to go to Schofield Barracks is not the first time for William. He visits Maui too. Arriving at Schofield, William describes it as a "tent city." For two weeks, he learns military command and marching. Before going overseas, there is a parade. William recalls the parade route and marching to the Iolani Palace.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: There are approximately 10,000 Nisei volunteers for the 442nd in Hawaii. William says we are American, and we have to respond. Rather than being in the Supply Depot or Staff, William wants to be with the combat unit. At Schofield, William and his older brother reunite with their other brother (who is drafted). The next order for William is to go overseas. William and the other soldiers are not allowed to ask questions, and on the train ride, they have to black out the windows.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; blackouts in war; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; siblings; travel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William describes the four day trip overseas to the mainland. William says he does not have the fisherman's blood and is seasick. However, William manages to see the Golden Gate Bridge. After docking, he goes on a train, and one of the first orders is to blackout the windows. William remembers crossing the Sierra at night and sneaking a peek through the window. He sees snow for the first time. William thinks the route the train takes is the Midwest area. The final destination is Camp Shelby.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Camp Shelby; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: William arrives at Camp Shelby in April. His first impression of the area is barren with small scattered trees. William is assigned to the 2nd Battalion Head Quarters and later the inner tank platoon. At first, there are no set officers for William's platoon until after they got settled. Their Lieutenant is John J. Rock. William says Lieutenant Rock is the perfect guy to lead their platoon because he is not too strict. They also like to sing songs, and they all got along well together.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; basic training; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Mainland; Nisei soldiers; platoon; squad

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Partial Transcript: William says some guys in the 2nd Battalion Head Quarters Company volunteered from Schofield. William explains the ranking levels. Volunteers and draftees start as privates. Anyone Nisei who is a Sergeant level is with the 100th. There are different stories about the relationships between the mainland and Hawaiian boys. William shares a story about their platoon sergeant Fujita, who is half German and Japanese. William says he would not acknowledge his Japanese heritage and would sometimes take it out on the Nisei. Before going overseas, platoon sergeant Fujita changes his last name to his mother's maiden name.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; basic training; Camp Shelby; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William discusses the different sergeants. One sergeant that stands out to William is a sergeant from the mainland name Masamitsu. William says he is an extraordinary leader, and at the end of the war, he receives the Battlefield Commission. 1/3 of the guys in the 442nd are from the mainland. William expresses that the mainland guys "katonk" and the Hawaiian guys "Buddha Heads" did not find common ground in the beginning. Some factors for the misunderstandings are due to the different cultural up brings and their familiarity with their locals. For example, mainland soldiers do not have a close relationship with one another. Unlike the Hawaiian guys, they all know each other due to the community or family. Eventually, the animosity between mainlanders and Hawaiian guys subsides, and they get along.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "Buddha heads"; "katonk"; 442nd; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; Nisei soldiers; platoon

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Partial Transcript: Williams explains the differences between the mainland guys and the Hawaiian guys. He gives an example of eating out and who pays the bill. William furthermore explains why the mainland guys did not have money. First, the mainland guys did not receive a lot of money from the GI Bill. Secondly, what money they did earn they would send to their families in the internment camp. Understanding their differences help bring the relationship closer for the mainland guys and Hawaiian guys. William also mentions he did not have a chance to visit any of the internment camps while on the mainland.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: When William gets a weekend pass, he commutes by bus to eat steak or watch a movie. Being in the South, this is the first time William sees and experiences discrimination. William describes a few examples, such as riding the bus and the segregation of restrooms. William recalls watching a movie for the first time at Camp Shelby in a small theater and experiences discrimination because he is not allowed to sit upstairs. Furthermore, he discusses the segregation of restrooms. Also, William briefly mentions an invitation from Mr. Finch, which he did not attend.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Camp Shelby; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Mainland; prejudices

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Partial Transcript: William talks about basic training. There are different types of walks to condition the body. The goal is that everyone has to make it. Therefore, everyone helps one another out if they need help. William also discusses triggers and how to avoid getting them. Another critter to avoid is snakes. William does not encounter one.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Camp Shelby; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; marching; Nisei soldiers; platoon

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Partial Transcript: As part of the anti-tank company, William operates with a 37-millimeter cannon during training. William is at Camp Shelby from April to May before shipping out (almost a year). When they go overseas, the 37-millimeter cannon is upgraded to a 57-millimeter cannon. William says the cannon is still small even with the 57-millimeters. The 57 cannot take out a German tank. William never fires his gun in the war. Mainly he would be assigned to watch a certain area to make sure nothing happens. William recalls the Army recruiting soldiers for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Once at Camp Shelby and another time when the war ends. At Camp Shelby, he does not meet anyone from the 100th, but he does hear news about them from overseas.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; basic training; Camp Shelby; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: William recalls going on furlough to New York in February. He goes sightseeing, shows, and restaurants. William tries to dine at Miyako, however, it is too full and he goes to Toyokan. William is very impressed with New York City. At Camp Shelby, he would correspond with his mother. Every now and then she would send small gifts and cookies. In May 1944, William ships out of Camp Shelby to go overseas on the Liberty ship. The convey is huge and takes a month to arrive. William gets seasick.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Shelby; correspondence; family; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Mainland; Nisei; siblings; travel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At Camp Shelby, the Army looks for replacements for the 100th. William's older brother volunteers and ships out December 1944 for the Anzio Campaign. His other brother is with the 442nd 522nd Field Artillery Battalion and ships out the same time as William. In Europe, it is hard to stay in contact with his brothers. When William lands overseas, he goes to Oran, North Africa, because they are a cargo ship. In Oran, William continues training until they get orders to leave. When William's platoon departures from Oran, they land in Naples.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; Anzio Beach; correspondence; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Rome; Rome-Arno

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Partial Transcript: When William land in Naples, Italy, they set up the staging area and head north. Before going into battle, William reflects on how he will perform. His first battle is on June 3. Due to the size of the cannon, the anti-tank company is stationed in the rear. William recalls the German soldiers catching up to them and hearing the artillery fire on the front line. There are three squads. One of the squad lost three soldiers. In the third squad, one soldier is wounded.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; artillery fire; Germany; Hawaiian soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: William describes the artillery fire from the German soldiers. Luckily, William's squad moves out fast on the truck to get out of range from artillery. The landscape has many hills. Some soldiers are hit by artillery fire ahead of William's company. The 442nd is stopped cold by the German soldiers, and they receive an order to pull back. That is when the 100th takes over. On the first night, the battalion is trying to reorganize. After the first battle, Williams thinks what the next day will hold.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Antitank Company; artillery fire; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: After the first day, the 100th cleaned up the Belvedere town, and the German soldiers pulled back. William's outfit has to catch up to the Germans again, but they are waiting for the American soldiers. The battle is known as the Little Battle (Little Cassino Battle) because of the duration from July 4 to July 8. William's outfit faces artillery fire when carrying supplies to the front line and bringing the wounded soldiers back for treatment. William's specific task is picking up the injured soldiers. The 2nd Battalion Rifle Company is in front of William's outfit, and William's outfit is supporting them from the back.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Antitank Company; artillery fire; France; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; rifle

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Partial Transcript: At the Little Battle (Little Cassino), William's primary task is to bring back the wounded. William recalls an explosion and is hit in his chest. At that moment, he has a funny thought to go search for the fragment that hits him in the chest. There is a saying, " when you go to war, look for the bullet that has your name on it." He says he is safe from the war, that moment forward. After that, it is a continuous push for the enemy soldiers to move back into the Arno River. This time, William's tasks remain the same.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: The next stop pass Cassino, is Hill 140. There is a pink building for Observation Post but then becomes an operation center. William recalls being in the building when it is hit by a 88 shell. Two people died. Before the attack, William is getting supplies ready to bring to the front line. There are rifle guys in the building too. There is one soldier from F Company who is wounded. William goes to assist him with medical treatment. William writes a story in the newspaper about the two soldiers who are KIA (killed in action) from the 88 shell. The name of one of the soldiers killed is Horiuchi Morita from Maui. He is a Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV) Boy, a runner in F company.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Cassino; front line; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; rifle; VVV

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Partial Transcript: William did not know Morita. However, William's friend did know Morita in school. Morita introduces his friend to a girl who he eventually marries. Morita also has a brother in the field artillery. William talks about seeing someone die in front of him. Back in Africa, he is given a mattress cover. He is told the mattress cover is his coffin. Williams says to be grateful you survive and look forward to the next day.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Arno; Hawaiian identity; Hawaiian soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; VVV

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Partial Transcript: William reaches the Arno River, and it is now a month in Italy. The outfit is scattered outside Florence in holding action. Along the way, William recalls seeing dead German soldiers. The rifle company would go on scouting missions to check the parameter. After the Arno Campaign, they go to France and land in Marseilles. He remembers getting a small book. In the book, there is a brief history of France, French phrases, information about sites, and French culture.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Arno; Hawaiian soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; rifle

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