Partial Transcript: Robert discusses his uniform and departure. From Schofield Barracks, Robert goes to the train station depo in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Robert also talks about Iolani Palance.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; photographs; Schofield Barracks; travel

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert recalls seeing the announcement for volunteers. The morning he reports for duty, his mother tells him to please come home.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Shelby; Hawaii; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Robert departs, he sees his friends left behind. However, he sees his friends later as replacements. At Schofield Barracks, Robert is assigned to Company 11. Robert's Company is the first Company scheduled to leave for the mainland. At orientation, he learns about Mississippi and segregation. The soldiers are not allowed to keep journals or diaries. They are confiscated.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; correspondence; discrimination; friendship; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Mainland; Nisei; race discrimination; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: (interview stops at 10:50 continues 11:30) Robert discusses his physical exam and departure.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Shelby; correspondence; family; Hawaii; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert leaves Schofield Barracks and is not allowed to contact his family. He boards a ship to go to the mainland. On the ship, he practices drills. From Oakland, CA, Robert, and the other Company board a train to their next destination.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Mainland; Nisei; Schofield Barracks; travel

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert spends five days on the ship. The guys gamble to pass the time. Robert explains how some guys have money to gamble. He says if you have a defense job, you get paid well. Robert recalls talking about plans with the other soldiers if they survive the war. Robert says he would go back to school. When Robert arrives in Oakland, CA he recalls getting KP duty.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; higher education; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: The Hawaiian guy travels a couple of days on the train and five days on the ship. On the train ride, they are instructed to black out the windows. Clarence recalls a comment he hears about why the Japanese American soldiers are carrying rifles. Coming from Hawaii, this is the first time Clarence rides on a train.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; Nisei; racism; rifle; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence disembarks at Hattiesburg, MS, and goes to Camp Shelby. He describes his living conditions. Both Clarence and Robert talk about the potbelly stove and burning coal.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; barracks; basic training; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Mainland; Nisei; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert discusses his impression of Camp Shelby. He says there are pine trees, bushes, and many snakes. When they arrive at Camp Shelby, the 69th Division is there, and the Platoon Sergeants (Cadbury). The Platoon Sergeants are mainly Caucasians. Both Clarence and Robert say the Camp Shelby campground is large enough to do 25-mile marches.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; platoon; Sergeant; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses basic training. He says training is not too bad. However, the marching is rough. Before volunteering, Clarence lives on his own and use to caring for himself. Therefore, he is accustomed to the living conditions during basic training, unlike the other guys. Clarence also talks about chiggers, poison ivy, and poison oak. Clarence is afraid of snakes and he shares a story of encountering one. He says there are no snakes in Hawaii.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; living conditions; Mainland; Mainland soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses the relationship between Hawaiian soldiers and Mainland soldiers. The Hawaiian guys are more communal, whereas the Mainland guys are more individualistic. Clarence says these differences are not bad, it is just the way people live. Robert says the difference between the Hawaiian guys and the Mainland guys is the language. He also says Hawaiian guys are more willing to share their packages than Mainland guys.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; basic training; Camp Shelby; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses going to Jerome and sympathizes with the Mainland guys. He is very sad to see guards pointing guns at the civilians and seeing their living conditions. He describes the barracks and how resilient the Japanese Americans are. Clarence hears someone is killed walking near the barbed wire.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; living conditions; Mainland; Mainland soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Rohwer; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert discusses going to Rowher. Before going to Rohwer, he is aware of the situation. When he arrives at Rohwer, he says there are guards with rifles. The Japanese Americans at camp are friendly. The first night at camp, there is a social gathering and Robert makes a lot of friends. Robert compares the food at camp versus Camp Shelby. At Camp Shelby, they eat meat and potatoes. At camp, there is a variety of Japanese food. Robert also talks about the living conditions.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: correspondence; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Hawaiian soldiers; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; living conditions; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; social activities

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert describes the first night at Jerome. There are dancing and food. At Rohwer, there is a vegetable garden, baseball field, and Recreation Hall.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Executive Order 9066; Hawaiian soldiers; interment camp; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Mainland; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Rohwer; social activities; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert says visiting Rohwer makes him homesick. He feels sad when he left.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Executive Order 9066; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence does not correspond with anyone from camp. However, he corresponds with his family a few times. Robert would correspond to his parents.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert describes Hattiesburg and segregation. There are separate areas for African Americans in public areas. Robert and Clarence talk about the different seating areas in movie theaters, restaurants, and on buses for African Americans.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Shelby; discrimination; Hawaiian soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; racism; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses Earl Finch. Earl finch is an advocate for diversity and is kind to everyone. Clarence shares a story about an African American soldier at McDonald's and other discrimination stories. In Hawaii, Clarence says there is discrimination in the workforce.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Shelby; discrimination; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; prejudices; race discrimination; racism; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence talks about being considered "white" in Mississippi. Robert also mentions the USO in Hattiesburg and Mary Nakahara. Robert describes Mary Yuri Nakahara (husband Bill Kochiyama). Clarence says he knows Bill. At the end of the war, Bill is prompted to Tech Sergeant.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; discrimination; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei soldiers; prejudices; social activities; World War Two

Subjects: