Partial Transcript: Hershey's mother wanted him to learn to be a mechanic from his cousin. Therefore, Hershey learned the trade, but he missed playing sports. During wartime, Hershey worked at the Ford Agency and was the youngest mechanic at age 17. Hershey recalls December 7, 1941, and hearing the news when he went duck hunting. He was shocked and felt uncertain about the future for Japanese Americans.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Issei parents; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hershey discusses the reaction of the community of Gallup after the Pearl Harbor attack. Hershey recalls being treated well and not blamed for the bombing. Shortly after December 7, law enforcement came to Hershey's home and confiscated the radio and camera. The law enforcement also visited other Japanese American families in Gallup. Some of the men in Gallup tried to volunteer but were labeled 4C "enemy alien". They had to wait to receive a draft notice to serve in the Army. Hershey did not learn about the concentration camps until much later after the war.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; draft; enemy alien; Executive Order 9066; interment camp; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hershey explains the community in Gallup signed a petition to the government not to intern the Japanese American community in camps. In January 1944, Hershey was drafted into the Army. Hershey tried to volunteer a year earlier but was not accepted. After getting the draft notice, Hershey reported to Camp Blanding, Florida, for 17 weeks of basic training.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; basic training; Camp Blanding; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Hershey arrived at Camp Blanding, Florida, two companies formed - A and B. Hersey was happy to meet other Japanese Americans at training. Hershey remembers cleaning weeds before starting training. When Hershey completed training, he went on furlough. Then he reported to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Hershey discusses the relationship between the Hawaiian soldiers and the Mainland soldiers.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; culture shock; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hershey made friends easily and got along with the Hawaiian soldiers. He said the two camps are very similar, except Camp Shelby was a little hotter. The camp was looking for volunteers, and Hershey volunteered for the paratroopers. However, he was assigned to the infantry. When the 442nd replacement was leaving for overseas, seven soldiers and Hershey stayed behind due to their age. The law was you have to be 19 years old to go overseas. Then Hershey was assigned to the 100th Battalion, D Company, the heavy weapons company. Hershey then took 13 weeks of heavy machine weapons basic training.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; basic training; Camp Shelby; Hawaiian soldiers; Mainland soldiers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At Fort Meade, Hershey had a medical inspection and was diagnosed with a medical issue. Hershey was sent back to Camp Shelby for treatment. After recovering, Hershey was attached to the 171st Separate Battalion and departed from Camp Patrick Henry. After arriving in Naples, Italy, Hershey learned the war ended in Europe. Then he went to Bologna, Italy, where the 442nd processed POWs. Hershey's assignment was to guard the POWs and military and medical supplies.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Shelby; German soldiers; hospital; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; Naples; Nisei soldiers; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: At the end of the war in Europe, Hershey guarded the POWs and equipment. He did not get any souvenirs because the original soldiers guarding the POWs had the first pickings. Hershey continued to guard POWs in different areas of Italy until he received orders to come home. Hershey describes the effects of war and seeing children begging for food. Hershey was not allowed to leave the staging area. He only viewed glimpses of the devastation of war through a train window.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hershey spent most of his time in Europe in Italy except for seven days in Switzerland. The locals in Switzerland were generous and friendly. He recalls eating at locals' homes and a native buying him a cake. When Hershey returned to the mainland, there were festivities welcoming home the soldiers.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; homecoming; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland; Nisei soldiers

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Partial Transcript: Hershey recalls going to Washington and marching in the parade to see the President. The day was rainy, and the President gave them a Presidential Unit Citation. Later Hershey reported to Fort Meade for his discharge, but he reenlisted for the Army Reserve for three years.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discharge; Fort Meade; Japanese Americans; marching; Nisei soldiers; post-war; Presidential Unit Citation

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