Partial Transcript: Don discusses replacement squad leader - Paul Shirai. The day after the Gothic Line, Don's squad held the position. German emplacement is 60-70 yards in front of them. Therefore, Don and Masao Shimizu are assigned to occupy the area from the German soldiers returning in the evening.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Gothic Line; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don recalls the position where he and Masao Shimizu occupied overnight. He also talks about warnings and booby traps, such as Schu-mine. A Schu-mine is a German-made personnel mine that explodes when it encounters pressure.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; German soldiers; Italy; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses the German soldiers' equipment, such as mortars, machine guns, and Schu-mines. The Germans use a machine pistol "Bergmann," and Don describes the sound. In comparison, the regular German machine guns as also fast too. After the second day of the Gothic Line push, the third battalion has established behind the line. Don's assignment is to go behind the mountain, and he comes across a German emplacement.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; German soldiers; Gothic Line; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses seeing Germans killed in action, advancements, and friendly fire. Friendly fire means fired guns by your troop. Don shares a time when he experiences friendly fire.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery fire; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses his squad's artillery unit 522nd and why they are detached and kept in France. The 522nd and another battalion and were the first unit to see prisoners from Dachau. In Don's squad advancement, they come across Carrara, Massa, and Genoa. Don does not recall the German soldier's age ranges because they are face down.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Carrara; Central Europe - Dachau; Dachau; France; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don says they chased after the German trooper for over a month. Don describes an incident that affected him. Two weeks after the initial attack on the Gothic Line, Don's assignment is to guard the meal train. The instruction is to watch the in front instead of the back of the line. Moreover, Platoon Sergeant says there is no password, and they are Italian. Don digs a foxhole in the front forward slop. Don says you have to be careful not to create a silhouette of yourself due to the backlights. Don also used rocks to block the silhouette reflection. Roy Shiozawa is also with Don and did not make his foxhole with the rock effects.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; foxhole; Japanese American soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don recalls guarding the meal train and shots from the Italians. Roy Shiozawa is killed in action. Don says this is probably a case of friendly fire or setup due to no password. Don's survival is due to the rock cover he created for his foxhole.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: foxhole; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; platoon; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don describes where he places his rock in the foxhole. Don's Platoon Leader Alvin Planas . After this incident, Don does not see Alvin since. Don says Alvin probably received a promotion to another outfit. After Shiozawa's death, Don has a disability but stays online. The next day, they retreated to a nearby area with buildings. Captain (Harry) Schoenberg is bombing Don's previous location with anti-personnel shells.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: foxhole; Gothic Line; Italy; Nisei soldiers; platoon; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don says his last duties before the end of the war are marching and holding positions. Don has very few direct engagements with Germans at this point due to General Mitsuyoshi Fukuda's Task Force in Genoa. Don hears the news about the Germans surrendering after the events in Genoa. Don goes to Getty (sp?) Airport to assist in marshaling the German troops to surrender and managing their weapons. Don says the age range of the German soldiers is 30 to 50 years old.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; German soldiers; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; marching; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the war ends, Don stays for a couple of weeks and then goes to Lake Como, Italy (for a week). Next, Don goes to Livorno to guard installations and prisoners. Don has no contact with the prisoners. Don has an opportunity to attend the US Arm Force Institute in Florence, Italy, travel to Rome and Switzerland (on leaves).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate); 442nd; Central Europe; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Livorno; Nisei soldiers; travel; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the war ends in May 1946 and Don does not return home until after a year in two months. Don returns home in June. In July, Don is Washington D.C. giving President Truman the colors. During the war, Don corresponds with his mother and sister. Don does not recall receiving care packages during the war. However, He does remember getting cigarettes. Don does not smoke and says he can barter the cigarettes for fruits. Don says if there are care packages, it is difficult to use them if you are on the front lines.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; correspondence; front line; German soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don departs from Livorno, Italy, on the Wilson Victory. He lands at New York Harbor. Don says there is a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC and recalls receiving recognition from President Truman.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; front line; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Livorno; Nisei soldiers; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don explains the difference between volunteers and drafts. Don feels happy to be recognized by President Truman. However, he feels the recognition should be received by the troops who went to war first. Don also says there is a unit citation as well. Don is deactivated at Camp Beale in Northern California.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Gothic Line; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; prejudices; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After being discharged, Don goes to meet with his family in San Pedro. His family has moved back to California after Poston. His mom works at a fish factory, and his father is retired. Don received ribbons for his contribution to the Po Valley Campaign, Apennines Campaign, and Southern France. Don also received the Bronze Star from the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Bronze Star; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei veterans

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don is awarded the French Legion of Honor at the Go For Broke monument. He also received the Congressional Gold Medal. Don explains the Congressional Gold Medal - recognition of service to the country.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the war, Don becomes a chemist and works for the VA hospital commercial laboratory and the University of California, Irvine. Before the war, Don does want to top to college, but the possibility is removed due to finances. The GI Bill makes it possible for Don to fulfill his wish to further his education in graduate school. Don's last position before retiring is at the University of California Irvine as Adjunct Associate Professor in Pathology and Biological Sciences.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don meets his wife Setsuko in Madison, Wisconsin, at a wedding in 1956 or 1957. Don's serial number is 36467844. Don and Setsuko's wedding anniversary is October 2, 1960. Setsuko is a licensed RN but after marriage she Community Liaison at Westminster High School.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; wedding

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don list his children from oldest to youngest: Rowland is an anesthesiologist; Marianne is an RN at Long Beach Memorial Hospital; Pamela is a pharmacist; and Cynthia is a teacher. Don did not have discussions with his kids about camp or military service. Don says the 100th and 442nd fought in World War Two to improve the situation for further generations.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; children; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei veterans; post-war; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses prewar about Japanese Americans not having an opportunity to work at places like Bank of America, Curtis Aircraft, Douglas Aircraft, and several first-line industries. Now the opportunity is better due to World War Two soldiers and the proper thinking of American officials who are aware of the injustice. Don has not gone to Poston reunions due to schedule. Setsuko's family was in Gila.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; 100th; 442nd; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Nisei veterans; racism

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses the contributions of the Japanese Americans to the war, and the Japanese Americans are not the stereotypes depicted during the war. Don's message to his children is this country is the best that there is.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; children; family; Japanese Americans; racism; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don describes a photo from San Joaquin Grammar School #2 (by Crystal Cove). The occasion is Girls' Day 1937. Ms. Eunice Garner is also in the photo next to Don. The second photo is Japanese School - Laguna Beach Gakuen. The third photo is Don's Father's fruit stand by pacific Coast Highway (prewar). In front of the fruit stand is Don;'s father, mother, and sister.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: The fourth photo is an image of Emerald Bay. The fifth photo of homes by Crystal Cove and Pacific Coast Highway. Don shows where his schools are and his home location. The next photos are of Ruth and his family. (interview ends at one hour three minutes and nine seconds).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; family; Nisei; Nisei veterans

Subjects: