Partial Transcript: Tommy is stationed in downtown Yokohama, Japan, and works for the Third Military Railway Service Headquarters. He watches the trains to make sure there is no pilferage. Japan has a food shortage post-war.

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

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Partial Transcript: The train transporting the PX supply (Post Exchange supply) is robbed more than other trains because of the cigarettes and food. The PX supply is a military store for soldiers and MP. Tommy is stationed in Yokohama. Yokohama is the location of the headquarters and the main port where the ships dock. When Tommy arrives in Yokohama, the city is in bad condition from the bombing. He describes the structural damages.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; living conditions; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; occupation; post-war

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Partial Transcript: Although there were structural damages in Yokohama after the bombing, the roads are still drivable. In the local city, Tommy uses the military jeep to get around, and for a long-distance trip, he takes the train. Tommy does not encounter any hostility from the locals for being in United States Military uniform. However, he feels the locals were envious that they had supplies and food. If the locals need food, Tommy says he would share and help them as much as he could.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; occupation

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Partial Transcript: Tommy discusses the military restrictions on what he can and cannot give to national locals. The Military does not want food given to the locals or PX (Post Exchange) items. The Military is trying to avoid Black Market selling. Moreover, Tommy discusses the benefits of being a Japanese American in Japan. Being Japanese American, it is easy for Tommy to go out and eat at the local restaurants. However, the Caucasian soldiers did not have the advantage of blending in with the locals.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; occupation

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Partial Transcript: The exchange rate for Japanese yen to US dollar causes concern for the Black Market during the occupation. Therefore, Tommy says they use scrips instead of greenback (cash). During the occupation, the Military has control of Japan until the Peace Treaty is signed in 1950. After several years in Japan, Tommy leaves the service and becomes a civilian employee. Tommy feels not being in the service allows him to visit his relatives freely.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; occupation

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Partial Transcript: After the Peace Treaty, Tommy does not think the Military would have any objections if he visited his relatives. Tommy discusses his role during the occupation. Tommy's duty is to act as an intermediate person between the Military and the local Japanese Government. Tommy works with the Transportation Department (railroad and local trucking industry). Tommy says his role is different from those who worked on war crime trials.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Issei; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; occupation; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Working with the Transportation Department, Tommy develops relationships with the Railroad Station Masters for a while. He recalls becoming friends with a liaison. However, they lose contact with one another after the liaison retires. Tommy says you have to be careful when building relationships with high up management and officials.

Segment Synopsis:

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

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Partial Transcript: Tommy says you have to be careful when building relationships with higher-up management and officials. They will try to take you to nightclubs, parties, or resorts. Tommy says you need to have boundaries. In his case, he is a representative of the Military, and he has to make sure they are doing their work. In Japan, Tommy does not have interactions with General MacArthur. Tommy says if you work at his headquarters in Tokyo, there are more opportunities to see or deal with General MacArthur.

Segment Synopsis:

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

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Partial Transcript: In August 1946, Tommy is discharged in Yokohama, Japan. His rank when he leaves the Military is Buck Sergeant. Quickly after, Tommy works as a civil service employee. Tommy says the transition to civil service employee is smooth. He keeps the same office and continues to work with the same staff.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; discharge; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; military occupation; Nisei; occupation

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Partial Transcript: During the occupation, Tommy did not think Japanese American soldiers in Japan has any effects on the outcome because the Military had the power. After being discharged from the Military, Tommy works as a civil servant for 55 years. Tommy loves his job and his colleagues. Furthermore, Tommy says he had a great Supervisor, Neil Dei.

Segment Synopsis:

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

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Partial Transcript: Tommy meets his wife Kayoko at work. Tommy says Kayoko is considerate, thoughtful, and understanding. They date a few years before getting married. Tommy recalls his army serial number 36468522.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: dating; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; social activities; wedding

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Partial Transcript: Tommy and Kayoko have three children and three grandchildren. Tommy and Kayoko's children are Dennis, David, and Cynthia. Dennis is retired, and David is a swimming coach in San Jose, CA. Cynthia works at Vons in Manhattan Beach, CA. Tommy occasionally shares his wartime stories with his son and daughter. He meets with them once a week to have lunch, and they talk about anything.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Nisei; Nisei veterans; Rohwer; World War Two; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: Tommy’s children come to the United States to further their education. In Japan, the highest education is high school. Tommy's parents left Rohwer, AR, in 1945 and moved to San Pedro, CA. Later in 1961, his parents bought a home in Gardena, CA.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: children; family; higher education; Issei parents; Nisei; Nisei veterans; Rohwer; siblings

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Partial Transcript: In 1961, Tommy's parents purchased a home in Gardena, CA. Currently, his younger brother and sister reside there. Tommy's other younger brother lives in Gardena too. He is married with children. Tommy hopes the Government learns from World War Two. What is American citizenship if you intern your citizens? Tommy shares his feelings about going to camp. After spending time in Japan post-war, he can look past the evacuation experiences.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; family; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Nisei; post-war; Rohwer; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Tommy says the Japanese Americans who fought during World War Two showed their loyalty to the United States. They proved they were patriotic and are American citizens. Tommy receives the Congressional Gold Medal for his Military service.

Segment Synopsis:

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

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Partial Transcript: Tommy receives the Congressional Gold Medal for his Military service during World War Two. Tommy explains it takes a long time to receive his medal due to the mailing label. Tommy decides to make an oral history because to educate future generations.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese American soldiers; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Tommy wants his children and grandchildren, to be honest, be true to themselves, treat people equally and be good citizens. Tommy discusses why he returned to the United States after living in Japan. Tommy retires from the civil service and cannot stay in Japan unless he applies for a visa. Unless you are a Military retiree and have all the benefits of the facilities in Japan, you can live there. Otherwise, it is difficult to survive on your own.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: children; family; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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Partial Transcript: Tommy's children are born in Japan and have English names. He regrets not giving them a Japanese middle name. Tommy thinks perhaps he is too Americanized at the time. Tommy spent many years in Japan because it was like paradise. He loved his job and working for the US Government. Tommy tries to work long as possible until his retirement age. Then he returns home to the US, where he is born and raised.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: children; employment; family; Nisei; Nisei veterans

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