Partial Transcript: Shigeo reports to Headquarters every morning to check for any new missions for him. If Shigeo did not have any assignments, he would drive through the cities in Berlin. Shigeo describes what Berlin looks like after the bombing.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Hawaiian soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo discusses the destruction of Berlin and other German cities after the bombing. However, Heidelberg and Potsdam are not affected by the bombing. When Shigeo drives through Berlin, he did not see civilians.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Germany; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Shigeo drives through Koblenz, he says there is a sweet smell. Normally when there are decaying bodies, the smell is awful. However, the dead bodies in Koblenz are under the building rubbles and dirt creating a different smell. In 1981, Shigeo revisits Berlin (Free Berlin) and sees how the cities recovered post-war. On the East side of Berlin (under Russian control), the city is like a ghost town. In Reichstag, Shigeo recalls seeing the memorial flag of those who passed away. He can feel there is a change in the political environment. In November 1989, the Berlin Wall falls. From World War Two and post-war, Shigeo has seen the good and bad changes in Berlin.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Germany; Hawaiian identity; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the conference, Shigeo drives to Marseilles, France. Along the way, he stops at the East German border and Metz for maintenance. In Marseilles, Shigeo is assigned to drive the Inspector General around to check the staging areas and sightseeing. After checking the staging areas, Shigeo goes to the mess hall and looks for food. He shares a story about a Master Sergeant.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Hawaiian soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo wants to go to Italy to visit the 442nd and goes to Headquarters to ask for permission. Italy is not considered part of France. Therefore the request has to go through London Headquarters for authorization. Shigeo decides not to ask for the request any further. Shigeo's brother is also in France and participates in the last campaign. When the war ends, Shigeo and his brother return home unharmed.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; European Theater; Hawaiian soldiers; homecoming; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; post-war; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: In Europe, Shigeo says he has all the good assignments and is respected by his colleagues. Post-war, Shigeo goes to Japan and is assigned to be a guard of honor for General MacArthur. Shigeo says General MacArthur places a freeze on all promotions. As a result, Shigeo cannot be promoted to Sergeant First Class. Shigeo also mentions seeing President Truman.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; colonel; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; post-war; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo discusses the black market and what items are sold. Cigarette packets, candy, palm olive bars, and Mickey Mouse watches are hot commodities. Shigeo says there is a soldier who makes ten thousand dollars from the black market. As a result, the Army passes a ruling that you can exchange items only 10 percent above your Army pay.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo describes how you can tell the difference between a soldier and an undercover Counter-Intelligence officer selling in the black market. If you are caught by the Counter Intelligence you will get dishonorable discharge from the Army. Also, Shigeo mentions Korea and the conditions in that country.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo's older brother Shigeto also is in the Army. He is with E Company and is in Italy at the same time Shigeo is. Shigeo recalls his Army serial number 301106077 and shows his dog tags that his sister customized into a keychain for him. On December 18, 1945, Shigeo is discharged in Oahu, Hawaii, and returns home to Maui. Shigeo discusses his other brothers' military careers. One of Shigeo's brothers is a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for 20 years before retiring.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; homecoming; Issei; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei; Nisei veterans; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo says his brother Richard, joins the Army after World War Two. Richard is stationed in Alabama. Shigeo's father is proud that he has three sons that served their country. Although Shigeo's father is a man with few words, he understands his father. Shigeo and his father have a good relationship. Overall, Shigeo has a good life.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese identity and values; Mainland; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo lists his awards from World War Two. He receives two combat badges, two good conduct medals, and one Bronze Star. After the war, Shigeo returns home to Maui. He did not have formal education because he left high school to volunteer for the Army. Shigeo enrolls in a vocational school for two years and works at the pineapple cannery as a mechanic. Shigeo feels that there is no future for him as at the pineapple cannery as a mechanic. Therefore, he reenlisted and joins the 5th Infantry. Shigeo is deployed and goes to the Korean War. July 1, 1950, he arrives in Busan, South Korea.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo discusses the Korean War. He is stationed in Busan, and on the third day, Shigeo encounters combat with North Korea. In Korea, Shigeo expected to hear the Korean dialect. However, when Japan occupied Korea, the Japanese government implemented the Korean citizens to speak Japanese.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery fire; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; machine gunner; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo has 50 supply carriers (civilians) assign to his Battalion. Shigeo does not speak Korean or Japanese. There is a University student who can speak Japanese and he becomes Shigeo's interpreter. Shigeo issues his interpreter a few weapons and this creates resentment with the Caucasian soldiers. Shigeo is thoughtful and caring towards his supplies carries. From Busan, Shigeo travels to the Yellow River. Shigeo has to withdraw because the Chinese soldiers arrive.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; prejudices; race discrimination; racism

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo's assignment in Korea is Battalion mechanic, and he works in cold weather. Shigeo's doctor discovers he has pneumonia and is hospitalized in Yokohama. In 1952, Shigeo is discharged from the Army.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After being discharged, Shigeo goes to National School in Los Angeles, California for a year. Shigeo learns diesel mechanics. He has many recommendations but no job offers. Eventually, Shigeo goes to Northrop Grumman and looks for a job. He has to accept the lowest paying position, which is $1.50 an hour. After three nights of working, Shigeo is transferred to a different section of the department suitable for his skills.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After three nights of work, Shigeo is transferred to Pre -Inspection section. Three years later, he is promoted to Lead with higher pay. Eventually, Shigeo is promoted again for his hard work to Supervisor. However, the pay is not at a high level. Shigeo decides to resign as Supervisor and returns to his former position.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei veterans; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Shigeo refuses the promotion as Supervisor, but upper management asks Shigeo to reconsider. Ultimately, Shigeo does not take the Supervisor position and requests a one-month vacation. After his vacation, Shigeo retires. Shigeo retires too early and is not qualified for Medicare or other benefits.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Nisei veterans; post-war

Subjects: