Partial Transcript: William arrives in France and lands in Marseille. There are sunken ships everywhere, and the harbor is destroyed. After landing, they build their camp and reorganize before going north. Along the way, William sees many German vehicles that are ruined. William's unit is the 2nd Battalion Head Quarters, which services the Rifle Company. In the Rifle Company, there is E Company, F Company, and G Company (the heavy weapons company). October 15, William encounters his first battle in the surrounding areas of Bruyeres. He says shells are flying everywhere, and you cannot see the enemy. Four hills surround the town of Bruyeres, and the 100th is at one of the hill sites. The objective is to capture Bruyeres (the transportation center) to get to the next city. When Bruyeres fails, the Germans burn the next city.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Antitank Company; artillery fire; Bruyeres-Biffontaine; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; rifle

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Partial Transcript: William recalls the Battle of Bruyeres. The weather is cold and rainy, and the ground is muddy. The German soldiers would shoot the shells at the trees creating tree bursts. Williams says foxholes would take time to dig; therefore, making a slit trench is better for this situation. William discusses the differences between an 88 shell and an artillery shell. The casualty is high due to the tree burst. The battle lasts from October 15 to November 9.

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Keywords: 442nd; foxhole; France; German soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William's responsibilities at Bruyeres consist of a variety of tasks such as carry supplies, guarding, and carrying the wounded. The battle is tough, but the weather conditions did not help the situation. The turning point of Bruyeres is when the hills (hill A, C, and D), Biffontaine, and Belmont are capture by the 442nd. Strategically, the German's think that capturing the Lost Battalion will give them an upper hand in the battle. William's unit is not assigned to the Lost Battalion, but the the100th 3rd Battalion is. The 36th Division tried to rescue their men and assigns the 2nd Battalion to take over the 36th division area. The purpose is to hold the line, but William credits his unit for helping to get the Germans out of the Vosges area.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Belmont; Bruyeres-Biffontaine; France; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Killed in Action; Rhineland-Vosges; Vosges; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William discusses the Lost Battalion. The 36th Division is trapped by the German soldiers in the Vosges Mountains. The 36th Division attempt to rescue their men but could not. Therefore, General John E. Dahlquist calls 100th and 442nd to assist. The Lost Battalion is trapped for almost a week with limited supplies. William says they have some casualties but compare to the Germans, the German's causality rate is higher. Winning the war in that area means you are close to the German line. After the town is free from the Germans, William remembers staying at a local's home. The locals are thankful.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Bruyeres-Biffontaine; France; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei soldiers; Rhineland-Vosges; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William discusses the prisoner of war and their state of mind. When William leaves France, he goes to Southern France. In South France, William gets an opportunity to rest and relax. He also has time to catch up on correspondences. This period is called the Champagne Campaign. William recalls the different cities he visits to Southern France.

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Keywords: 442nd; Campaign; correspondence; family; France; German soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: After leaving Southern France, William returns to Italy for the last push. The last push is Po Valley, and the objective is to stop the German soldiers from escaping to Austria. William remembers moving fast through the towns. The Rifle company is in front of William’s company. William says the Rifle Company is experiencing artillery fire. Besides the Rifle Company having issues, William's company is facing casualties themselves. In France, William's company lost their Company Commander, lost two on a ration party, and one at Head Quarters. William states they lost five to six casualties at the Vosges Campaign.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; artillery fire; Commander; France; Gothic Line; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Po Valley; rifle; Vosges; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William talks about the casualties in his company. The two supply parties are ambushed by German soldiers when they are transporting supplies to the Rifle Company. The Company Commander tries to rescue his men from the ambush but is killed. The Company Commander is only with the Head Quarters Company for one month, and previously before that, he is with H Company. William says losing their Company Commander is one of the hardest parts of the battle in France. The Intelligence Officer Nishimura takes over the Company Commander position. William gives a brief history of Nishimura's experience.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Commander; German soldiers; Hapa; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William discusses the Company Commander Nishimura. At Camp Shelby, Nishimura is the First Lieutenant to the Bruyeres Campaign, where he is a Captain. At Camp Shelby, Nishimura is not in charge of any platoons because the order that no Japanese American would be in charge of a Rifle Company. William knows Nishimura previously when he is the Intelligence Officer. William describes Nishimura's character and says he is first-rate. Besides losing the Company commander, William says they lost several other men from the ration party ( two soldiers), Command Center (one soldier), and two soldiers when they were holding the line. William gives credit to the ration party. He says they do not carry their weapons because they are carrying heavy supplies. Perhaps one of them will arm themselves with a pistol. However, this makes an easy ambush by the enemy soldiers.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery fire; Commander; France; German soldiers; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Killed in Action; Lieutenant; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William recalls carrying rations and did not experience any ambush. He is only concern about the load he is carrying. He also talks if you have a smart cook, the cook can exchange stuff with other outfits to get rice. William mentions other special rations such as beer and cigarettes for the black market. With locals in Italy and France, you can exchange cigarettes for food.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: France; front line; Hawaiian soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At the last push, William says he has to keep up with the frontline in the mountain areas. They have chased away the German soldiers off the mountains. The 92nd Division use the coastal road to move fast. One of the prime targets is the Italian Navel base. Once that one is down, the next target is Geneva, France, and the Nepal River. For the Gothic Line, the Germans had a construction company dig their foxholes and trenches in the mountains. The Nisei did a surprise maneuver on the German soldiers, and this help breaks the Gothic Line quicker than other companies. William describes carrying supplies up the mountain. He says he would prefer carrying ammo to water because the water is heavy and hard to balance.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; foxhole; France; front line; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William discusses the German surrendering and the end of the war. William is near Florence when the war ends. He recalls one of the prisoners of war playing the organ piano for the Chaplain and another prisoner of war cutting hair or shaving the guys in exchange for cigarettes. William leaves Italy in November and returns to California to Camp Beale. From there, he goes on a boat to Hawaii and is discharged from the Army in December.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; discharge; European Theater; France; German soldiers; Gothic Line and Po Valley; Hawaiian soldiers; homecoming; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Prisoners of War; surrender; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William talks about Richard Nitta. He meets Richard at Camp Shelby, and he is in the Antitank Company too. Richard is a friendly and easy-going guy. At the Vosges Campaign, Richard is wounded. When they return to Italy when the war ends, Richard volunteers to go to the Pacific.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Antitank Company; basic training; Camp Shelby; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; squad; Vosges; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: December 1945, William returns to Hawaii and stays in Hilo for a few weeks. His parents are happy that he comes home safely. Post-war, William enrolls at the University of Hawaii. At first, William wants to major in architecture but changes to a civil engineer. In four and a half years, he graduates. William finds a job with the Water Department and works his way up to the manager position. He is with the Water department for 17 years. There is a tidal wave in Hilo, but William's family is not affected because their home is inland.

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Keywords: employment; family; Hawaiian soldiers; higher education; homecoming; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; siblings

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Partial Transcript: Williams meets his wife, Marjorie Oka, through his sister. Marjorie and William's sister works in the same department for the County. They have four children together Seth, Josh, April, and Andrea. William and Marjorie have six grandchildren Benjamin, Angela, Michael, Eric, Christopher, and Elizabeth.

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Keywords: dating; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; Sansei; wedding; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: William does not discuss much of his war experience with his family. One thing William regrets is not sending his children to Japanese School. He says Japanese School is fundamental for character being. When you go to an English school, the purpose of that education is for your career. William discusses "oyakoukou." Oyakoukou is piety for your parents and bringing them honor.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; children; family; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; Sansei; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: Williams applies oyakoukou to Nisei veterans. William explains the generation differences between the 100th and the 442nd. He also shares his feeling on the success of the Nisei veterans' contributions in World War Two.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: William talks about his Issei uncle from Japan that marries his mother's sister, who is a Nisei. His uncle is a leader in the Japanese Community and works as a Post Master at the National Park on the big island. Being an Issei, he could not have a federal job. His uncle opened a store to service a small community and a coffee farm. William recalls his uncle is a religious person who goes to church often. After December 7, 1942, his uncle is picked up by Federal Agents and sent to a camp on O'ahu.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Executive Order 9066; family; Hapa; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination; racism; Sansei; wedding; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Williams's uncle has two children who also goes to war with William. Unfortunately, his uncle dies in the internment camp while his sons are fighting overseas. William and his cousins find out about the news when they are in the last Italian Campaign. There are seven children and the oldest at the time is in high school. William talks about Tsuneo Takemoto not having his Distinguish Service Cross Medal upgraded. William also says B Company speaks very highly of him. William describes his personality. They attended school together, and he is a natural-born leader.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; Distinguished Service Cross; Executive Order 9066; family; Hawaii; interment camp; Issei; Killed in Action; Nisei; prejudices; race discrimination; World War Two

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