Invited to teach at Harvard by his boss

Growing up in segregated schools Feeling prejudice while looking for jobs Joining the army Generosity of the Italians Animosity between the Hawaiians and the mainlanders Being scared during combat Never feared that he wouldn’t come back home On saving the Lost Battalion Coming home to his mother after the war Getting a PhD under the G.I. Bill Invited to teach at Harvard by his boss Feeling at peace with himself

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I stayed five years at Cornell medical in New York City. I brought my wife and three kids — lived in a tiny apartment under the Triborough Bridge. And my boss, who was from Harvard, says, “Sus, I’m going to go back to Boston, do you want to go with me?” And I said, “Of course…yes.” He said, “Don’t you think you better ask your wife?” I said “I’d tell her. I’m going to tell her.”

Date: January 3, 2015
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Lily Anne Y. Welty Tamai
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

442nd education Harvard military professor veteran World War II