Partial Transcript: In Iowa, Dan receives a draft notice from the Army. Some people stay in camp until World War Two ends. However, Dan's parents leave camp voluntarily and resettle in the East. A family friend tells Dan's parents about a job opportunity for a family in Westerville, Ohio. Dan's parents work hard for one hundred fifty dollars a month plus room and board for a retired General Motors executive. Dan compares housing costs from Michigan and Ohio.

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Keywords: employment; Gila River; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Dan's parents go to Westerville, Ohio, with Dan's sister Laura. On May 19, 1944, Dan receives his draft notice and he leaves Loras College. He joins his parents and Laura in Ohio for a few months. Dan briefly mentions that his father is relocated to numerous places before being released from the detention center. Dan has seventeen weeks of basic training at Camp Blanding in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Keywords: Camp Blanding; draft; family; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Dan describes his reaction to his draft notice. He says the Caucasians who are drafted get to have a choice of which unit they want to join. The Japanese Americans only have two options, the infantry unit or the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Dan does not qualify for MIS because he is not a good Japanese language student. Dan's brother, Warren is also drafted. He served during the Occupation Forces in Germany. When Dan's parent finds out about Dan's draft notice, they are not happy or sad. Dan already knows he is subjected to the draft when he answers "yes-yes" on the questionnaire.

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Keywords: draft; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; loyalty questions; Nisei; occupation; segregated unit; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan did not receive a luck charm from his family. However, Dan says he gave himself a luck charm. Before going overseas, Dan is in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. In the evening, he goes to town and sees a magazine. The magazine is published by someone name Town. When Dan is in combat in Italy, he would rely on the magazine for comfort.

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Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; European Theater; foxhole; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Dan's serial number is 37698075. Dan explains what the serial number is used for in the military service. From Dubuque, Dan takes the bus to Fort Dodge, Iowa, for induction. After induction, you have two or three months before you report for service. During the two or three months, Dan rejoins with his parents in Ohio. In Ohio, he receives a letter to report to Camp Blanding, Jacksonville, Florida. Basic training is seventeen weeks long.

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Keywords: basic training; Camp Blanding; draft; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In Ohio, Dan receives notice to go Camp Blanding, Jacksonville, Florida for basic training. In Florida, Dan learns about Jim Crow and segregation. Dan shares a story about racism. He gets a week pass and goes on a bus. On the bus, there is an African lady with a child. Dan says the law in Florida is Caucasian people get to sit in the front of the bus. Another incident Dan shares is regarding his brother Warren working in Texas. In Texas, one can buy food but cannot eat the food in the establishment. Moreover, there are separate restrooms for Caucasians and African Americans.

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Keywords: basic training; discrimination; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; prejudices; racism; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Dan is still in Ohio, he takes his physical exam at an Army facility. The doctor tells Dan if he is two or three pounds less than what he weighs, then he did not have to come into the Army. Dan is not very athletic, and being in the Army carrying all the gears is a lot of work for him. Dan gains weight in the Army because of the rationed food.

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Keywords: C ration; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In basic training, Dan trains with other Japanese Americans. Overseas, Dan is assigned to the 442nd Company C. The non-commissioner training officers are Caucasians at Camp Blanding. Dan says the training officers are sympathetic to the Japanese Americans. Dan has good memories of basic training.

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Keywords: 100th; Camp Blanding; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan describes his seventeen weeks of basic training at Camp Blanding. He recalls marching, climbing, army discipline, crawling, shooting rifles, and overnight hiking. At the end of basic training, you have the athletic ability to do complete obstacles and long marches.

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Keywords: Camp Blanding; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; marching; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan says marching and hiking in basic training are difficult for him. He recalls receiving the news about going to combat. Dan describes his army uniform. In the summertime, Dan wears suntan and in the wintertime, there is a wool uniform. In combat, there is an army field jacket. The regular dress uniform is an Eisenhower jacket. In combat, you go days without washing your face or brushing your teeth. You are outside a lot. You do the minimalist toiletry.

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Keywords: battle; Camp Blanding; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; marching; Nisei; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: Dan goes to northern Italy in 1945. He is assigned to the Rifle Platoon, Company C, 100th battalion. There are 40 men in each platoon. There is also a lightweight weapons platoon of 40 men. The 442nd at the time has lost over 800 men in the Bruyeres campaign. Of the 800 plus men, 200 are killed in action. The 442nd are resting in Menton while waiting for replacements. Menton is between Italy and France. This is where Dan joins the 442nd in January 1945. In April 1945, they go to Northern Italy for the final push.

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Keywords: 442nd; Bruyeres-Biffontaine; European Theater; Japanese Americans; Killed in Action; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; platoon; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan recalls Platoon Sergeant Burt Tanaka telling him if he stays with him he will be killed or badly wounded. Platoon Sergeant Tanaka is giving a chance for Dan to leave and be an Army Medic. Dan suggests rather than being an Army Medic, can he go to the weapons platoon. Three days later, Dan is in the Weapons Platoon as an ammunition carrier. The Weapons Platoon has 40 men. Some squads have light machine guns, and Dan is part of this squad for the light mortars.

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Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; European Theater; Italy; Japanese Americans; machine gunner; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; platoon; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan discusses the different types of ammo he has to carry. Dan says if you consider his weight size and carrying the ammo, it is a lot of work going up the Italian Mountains. The extra weight from the ammo wears Dan out and he has several close encounters. Dan believes God is with him to protect him. Dan recalls the first day he is in a trench. His Platoon Sergeant tells him to stay in the trench. Approximately fifteen minutes later, the Germans attack. Dan is safe in the foxhole. A few weeks later, Dan is going up an Italian mountainside. His Platoon orders him to make a foxhole. However, Dan digs his foxhole 20 feet over from the original spot his Platoon Sergeant tells him. The Germans attack again and Dan's intuition saves him from harm.

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Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; European Theater; foxhole; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Killed in Action; mortar; Nisei soldiers; platoon; squad; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: After Camp Blanding, Dan gets two or three weeks of free time to visit with family in Ohio. After two or three weeks, Dan reports to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. From New Jersey, Dan travels on a liberty ship to Marseilles, France. From Marseilles, Dan travels by train to Eastern France. When the spring offensive starts in April, Dan is transported on a smaller ship than to Leghorn, Italy.

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Keywords: 442nd; Camp Blanding; convoy; European Theater; Italy; Japanese Americans; Leghorn; Livorno-Leghorn; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; travel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In France, Dan has contact with some of the store workers when he barters. During and after the war, Dan is can relate to the locals somewhat. In high school, Dan takes Spanish classes. Therefore, he knows the Spanish language. Spanish is similar to the Italian language. In the mornings, Dan would go buy eggs for his company because he can understand the language better than the other soldiers in his unit. Dan's rank is PFC, private when he is overseas. When he retires, he is a PFC, private. Dan is asked about his pay rate, but Dan does not recall.

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Keywords: 442nd; high school; Italy; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Southern France; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan says there are no other close calls besides the two previous times he mentions. If Dan is a rifleman, he is subject to artillery fire and you can see the enemy. However, being the light mortar man, you do not see the enemy. Dan shares a comment made by a soldier in his company seeing a German soldier. Dan says he is always behind a hill. Although he can see the artillery fire, the chances of being killed are less than a rifleman.

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Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; German soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; mortar; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan discusses the disadvantage of the Italian Campaign. There is a trail you have to follow up the mountain. The German soldiers were previously there and are familiar with the route. The German soldiers have the advantage. Dan is inform in combat do not walk together. Each man needs to be twenty or forty feet apart walking up the trail.

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Keywords: artillery fire; German soldiers; Japanese Americans; mortar; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In combat, Dan says you get as much sleep as you can. If you hear the lack of sleep figures from companies or the United States Army, the statistic numbers are not realistic. In fact, after three or four days of combat, you are pulled back to get rest. A fresh unit comes in and takes over your spot while you rest. You are not in constant combat. Each unit rotates and takes turns in battle.

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Keywords: European Theater; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan discusses practicing 60mm mortar shells and damages his earring. For the longest time, Dan would experience buzzing in his ear. After the war, Dan goes to get his ears teated. In Italy and France, Dan says there are no unusual events that happen that he can recall.

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Keywords: France; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; mortar; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan discusses military service. Dan says when you are in the Army overseas, not everyone is in harm's way. Soldiers have different assignments and duties. Not everyone is in combat or in harm's way. In World War Two, everyone is wearing a uniform. Your enemy is wearing a uniform. If you compare to the situation in Iraq, there could be soldiers wearing civilian clothing. It is a different situation.

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Keywords: France; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Dan recalls seeing some German prisoners of war (POWs) when they surrender. In Italy, Dan's company is assigned to guard the prisoners of war. Dan gets to know some of them and says they are nice people. For his service in the Army, Dan receives a Combat Infantryman Badge for 90 days of combat. He also receives a badge for his efforts in the Italian Campaign. In 1945, the atomic bomb is drop-in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, and Dan is still in Italy. Dan is not discharged until 1946.

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Keywords: discharge; draft; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; surrender; World War Two

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