Partial Transcript: Tommy says Life magazine creates a misunderstanding with the terminology they use with the Pearl Harbor attack. Life magazine says the Pearl Harbor attack is a "sneak attack." Life magazine does not explain Japan is having issues with Manchuria.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; propaganda; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At Santa Anita, Tommy describes the living conditions and life in the camp. Tommy and his family live in a horse stable. Tommy's parents accepted the situation with the attitude of shikata ga nai. In the camp, Tommy says people say active to occupy their day with entertainment or work. For example, organizing a fire station, gambling, and making camouflage nets.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; Santa Anita; Shikata ga nai; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tommy says the United States government terms camp as assembly center. However, he says it is a concentration camp with armed guards. Tommy and his family are at Santa Anita for a few months waiting for Rohwer's construction. After leaving Santa Anita Assembly Center, Tommy and his family go to Rohwer, AR. At Rohwer Relocation Center, there are armed guards in guard towers. The Mayekawa family lives in a barrack, and there is no privacy. Tommy tries to try to occupy his time in camp with work. He finds a job driving a truck and chopping wood.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; barracks; discrimination; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; relocation centers; Santa Anita; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At Rohwer, Tommy and his family live in a barrack with no privacy. Tommy is twenty years old, and his siblings are in their teens. He recalls the family hanging sheets to divided spaces. In the barrack, there is a wood-burning stove. For mealtimes, there is a mess hall in each block.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: barracks; children; Executive Order 9066; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; relocation centers; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In Rohwer, there are medical facilities if anyone needs medical assistance. During meal times, people at the mess hall. Younger children tend to eat with their parents. However, Tommy is twenty, and he eats with his peers. The restroom amenities are communal, with no stalls for privacy. There is a restroom for men and one for women on each block.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; relocation centers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: The difficult part of being in camp for Tommy is eating on a meal schedule and not leaving camp. You can only use the facilities inside Rohwer. Depending on your age, you go to school, or you find a job in camp. If you have free time, you spend it with your friends. In Rohwer, Tommy finds a job as a lumberjack, heavy equipment operator, and assistant mechanic. General help earns eight dollars. Professional makes twelve dollars.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; employment; Executive Order 9066; Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; relocation centers; social activities; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In March 1944, Tommy leaves Rohwer for an employment opportunity in Detroit, MI. Tommy works in a few auto shops before working at a gas station. Tommy recalls receiving a draft notice from the Army. On June 9, he is inducted, and joins the Army in August.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei; relocation centers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: After being inducted, Tommy reports to Fort Sheridan and is a Private in the United States Army. Tommy discusses his treatment as an American citizen going to camp and now being drafted into service. Tommy gets advice from his friend to drink soju before his physical exam, but soju is difficult to drink. Tommy passes his physical and goes to Camp Blanding for basic training. At basic training, he sees other Nisei.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: At Camp Blanding, Tommy sees other Nisei. Tommy is not bothered to be in a segregated unit. Many guys from his Company go overseas to Europe, and Tommy goes to Language School at Fort Snelling. On his pass, Tommy goes to Chicago. In Chicago, there are many 442nd veterans, and he hears news of what is happening overseas.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Blanding; Fort Snelling; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service Language School; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: The challenging part of basic training for Tommy is the march with his gear and the night maneuver in the swap lands. He does not encounter bugs until going to the Philippine Islands.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Tommy goes to basic training, he fills out a questionnaire. Tommy answers he is bilingual, and he goes to the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Fort Snelling, MN. In December 1944, Tommy goes to Fort Snelling and starts training in January. The training at language school is not easy and regimental. The course is nine months long. However, Tommy trains for six or seven months since they are needed overseas. In August 1945, he is shipped to the Philippine Islands.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: At Fort Snelling, MN, the weather is cold during the winter season. Tommy recalls walking to school in the cold winters. In class, Tommy learns about Japanese culture and military terminology used in Japan. The Director and head instructor at the Military Intelligence Service Language School is John Aiso. John Aiso is the high-ranking Commander. Tommy did not meet Commander Aiso personally, but he knows who he is.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Commander; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service Language School; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tommy explains the term "lights out." Lights out means go to sleep at 9 pm. If students needed to do additional studying, they would study in the restroom. After training at Fort Snelling, Tommy ships overseas in August 1945.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service Language School; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In August 1945, Tommy ships to Manila, Philippines. Tommy explains LST - landing ship transport. When he lands in the Philippines, the war has ended. Tommy stays at a camp with fifteen prisoners of war (POWs) that have been captured before his arrival. Tommy says the POWs are running around freely with no guards.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Prisoners of War; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tommy stays at a race track with some POWs further inland. The US soldiers and POWs have different mess halls to dine in. He recalls small conversations with the POWs and exchanging food. In the Philippines, Tommy is an interpreter. There are two types of jobs, interpreters and translators. Some individuals are capable of both duties. Tommy discusses his thoughts of being at a horse track in Manila and previously living in a horse stable at Rohwer. The headquarters of the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) is located near the horse track in Manila.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Prisoners of War; relocation centers; Rohwer; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tommy waits in Manila until he goes to Japan. He recalls individuals are shipped out in increments on the landing ship transporter (LST). Tommy's group is the last group to be assigned. He ships out on an airplane with 35 other Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Tommy lands in Yokohama, Japan, at a Naval Airbase. He travels fifteen miles to headquarters. The roads are hard to travel because it is gravel roads.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Philippines

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Tommy says the guys in his group did not stay long and did not have a chance to know them well. In Japan, Tommy is stationed in downtown Yokohama, and works for the Third Military Railway Service Headquarters. Tommy's assignment is to be an interpreter with the local rail operators. He confirms the delivery of military supplies. Post-war, Japan is in bad shape, and there is a food shortage.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei

Subjects: