Partial Transcript: Don discusses any contact with civilians, food comparison, and water moccasins.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After Don finishes basic training at Camp Blanding, he has two weeks' furlough. At Camp Blanding, Don says he is not in a serrated unit, and there are three platoons calls Company D, 232nd. Don returns to Poston and then goes camping Shelby. On the way to Camp Shelby, Don and his brother Chuck (Charles) goes to New Orleans.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don feels there is the same amount of Japanese American soldiers at Camp Blanding versus Camp Shelby. Don arrives at Camp Shelby mid-August in 1944 and received additional training. Goes to Fort Meade and a camp in New Jersey and then to the Queen Mary. Don ships out at the end of October.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Blanding; Fort Meade; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don ships out on the Queen Mary. The voyage takes three days. There are talks about mines and submarines, but the soldiers were not worried. Don describes the food provided on the voyage- toast, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs. The sleeping quarter is three bunks lined up, twelve people in a room.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Don lands overseas, he arrives in Greenock, Scotland. Lanark is outside of Glasgow. The soldiers are load on the train right away, and they travel to South Hampton (south coast of England). From there, the soldiers are loaded onto a troopship to France. Don lands in Le Havre and recalls the place being very muddy. In France, some of the soldiers have trench foot. Trench foot is when your foot freezes.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: France; Japanese American soldiers; travel; trench foot; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don describes traveling and assembling in areas such as Le Havre, Epinal, and Cannes to be transported to battle. The 100th and 442nd are in a process to go to a holding line in France. The 100th Battalion goes to the south of France first. Don's platoon attaches to the 442nd, E Company, to go to Cannes. Don meets Daniel Inouye (Second Lieutenant) along the way.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; blackouts in war; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: While in northern France, Don is informed he would be attached to E Company. However, there is a mixup with the assignment, and Don is attached to A Company, First squad Second Platoon. When Don goes to the mountains, he is with the weapons company even though he is officially assigned to the second platoon. In Italy, Don goes to the second platoon. Don is in holding a position in France for four months. This period is called the "Champagne Campaign." Don explains how the name comes about.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 442nd; Cannes; France; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Southern France; squad; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: When Don is at the holding line at the mountains, other soldiers share their experiences "talk stories" and advance for combat. At Camp Shelby, Don meets some Hawaiian soldiers and explains how he communicates with them. Don also shares a story with Hank Yoshitake (the weapons platoon) with Miyo Sakamoto about a password.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Shelby; France; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Mainland soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses why the 100th and the 442nd are at holding for so long. Don says they are under staff and have to wait until their replacement from the stateside to come. The Champagne Campaign ends because, General Mark Clark requests some assistance with breaking the Gothic Line. General Mark Clark calls the 100th and 442nd because he is familiar with their ability because he worked with them in Italy before going to France. In Italy they are in the command of the 34th Division and in the South of France the 36th Division. Don recalls hearing about General John E. Dahlquist of the 36th Division after the war not during the war.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; France; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Southern France; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don receives short notice to go to Italy. Don arrives in Livorno, Italy, on Landing Ship Tank (LST). LST is about 200 feet long that can carry tanks. Don recalls Livorno (as known as Leghorn) being serene. From Marina di Pisa, Don goes to the frontline. At this point, Don transfers from the weapons platoon to the 2nd platoon. Don meets Stanley Sumikawa, who is close friends with Sadao Munemori.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: front line; Japanese American soldiers; Livorno-Leghorn; platoon; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don did not know Sadao Munemori personally when they are in the same unit. Don learns stories about Munemori after the war. Don shares Munemori's history and how he receives the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses why they return to Italy. The purpose is to break the Gothic Line. During World War Two the Germans uses the Gothic Line as a their main line of defense in northern Italy. This area is extremely mountainous. The Germans are in this area for many months giving them the advantage to build fortifications such as mine fields.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; German soldiers; Gothic Line; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses the plan to break the Gothic Line. The third Battalion go to the back side of the mountain to get behind the German soldiers. For this to happen, the first Battalion would be on the frontline to assault the Gothic Line. The first battalion did an artillery assault for 15 minutes but that was not enough to penetrate the Gothic Line. The second battalion would be on reserve. In the end, the third battalion is successful in going over the mountainous terrain. Don says he is part of the first battalion with the artillery assault. Don's rank is private.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; artillery fire; German soldiers; Gothic Line; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; mountain; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses his state of mind going into combat. He shares what advice Daniel Inouye gives him. After the first initial US artillery barrage, Don says it is pitch black and commanded to move forward. Don and the first battalion move at a slow pace. The attack is on April 5 at night.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; artillery fire; German soldiers; Gothic Line; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don recalls James Kanada killed in action during the final push at Po Valley. Kanada is a BAR - Browning Automatic Rifle. Don describes the difference between a BAR and an M1.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; German soldiers; Gothic Line and Po Valley; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; Purple Heart; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don recalls his state of mind and describes the holding period during the last push. The location where Don is holding protects him from any artillery fire. Although, Don can see enemy guns over by Le Spezia. At this time, Don's Platoon Leader, Lieutenant Novak, had his foot blown off. The replacement Lieutenant fills in for Novak and gives the orders for the first battalion to do a bonsai charge. The first battalion has 12 men. However, three soldiers are out with injuries - James Kanada, Earl Hosoda, and Tad Ono.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; Gothic Line and Po Valley; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Killed in Action; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don describes the first battalion's assignment. The squad leader decides to split the squad in half. Half on the left side, half on the right side. Don is with the squad on the right side. Each side will go one at a time. The squad leader volunteered to go first, and his knee is blown off (probably by a minefield). Don rushed over to help stop the bleeding and called the medic.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Gothic Line; Gothic Line and Po Valley; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don discusses Novak's replacement, General Dahlquist, and Upton Sinclair.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th; 442nd; Italy; Japanese American soldiers; Nisei soldiers; Po Valley; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Don recalls helping the squad leader with his wounded leg. The medics are called, and they arrived in five minutes. Don joins this squad right before hitting the line. The squad leader is Kaz Furuto, Assistant squad leader Paul Shirai or Harry Kuroda, James Kanada, Earl Hosoda, Masami Nakashige, Masao Shimizu, Tad Ono (Interview ends at 58 minutes 38 seconds).

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects: