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Captured by Guerillas after bombing of Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor – that time was December 8, 1941, and I was about three, I think three and a half? And then, I remember we were captured by the guerilla – about three days after Pearl Harbor. Well, we didn’t know about what happened, but we – guerillas captured us, and then placed in captive watch, and I had scariest memory of – you know, the guerilla guard man, he flashed a bayonet that was attached to the gun, and I was so scared. I remember that. And the war became – I said – we were rescued ten days later, and then the – we had a peaceful time, but the war became more serious, and American airplanes started to bomb Davao, and so we had to evacuate.


Pearl Harbor attack, Hawaii, 1941 Philippines World War II

Date: July 12, 2017

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Mitsue Watanabe, Yoko Nishimura, Leighton Okada

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Sawako Ashizawa Uchimura was born in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines on March 25, 1938 as the first daughter of Katsujiro and Ura “Mie” Ashizawa. She was 7 years old in 1945 when her family had to leave the Philippines after Japan’s defeat in World War II. Her family lived in Shizuoka for the next 10 years. ​Later the family received r​​esidency status in the United States ​and arrived in Los Angeles ​in March 1956. Sawako went to Alhambra High School and later studied at Pasadena City College. She eventually found a generous mentor who helped support her through her education at San Jose State University and became a​​n occupational therapist. Currently she is volunteering at the Sakura Garden (Formerly Keiro Retirement Home). (March 2018)

Mako Nakagawa
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Mako Nakagawa

Thoughts on relationship between Japanese Peruvians and Japanese Americans at Crystal City, Texas

(1937 - 2021) Teacher

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Margaret Oda
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Margaret Oda

Father interrogated by FBI, but not taken away

(1925 - 2018) Nisei educator from Hawai‘i

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Roberto Hirose
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Roberto Hirose

The political effects on Nikkei during the war (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

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John Naka
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John Naka

Avoiding the Japanese military

(1914-2004) Nisei Bonsai master in the United States

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Gordon Hirabayashi
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Gordon Hirabayashi

A Dutiful Son

(1918-2012) Fought the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066.

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Daniel K. Inouye
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Daniel K. Inouye

Recalling Pearl Harbor

(1924-2012) Senator of Hawaii

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Harry Schneider
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Harry Schneider

Reception of Hamako by family

(1916 - 2013) Member of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service

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Terry Janzen
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Terry Janzen

Memories of Poston

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

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Terry Janzen
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Terry Janzen

Arriving at Poston

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

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Virgil Westdale
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Virgil Westdale

522nd and Dachau

(1918-2022) Hapa World War II veteran, pilot

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Virgil Westdale
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Virgil Westdale

Fellow Hapa 442 Hana

(1918-2022) Hapa World War II veteran, pilot

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Francesca Yukari Biller
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Francesca Yukari Biller

Writing a novel on the 442nd

Jewish Japanese American journalist

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Harry Schneider
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Harry Schneider

Meeting Hamako in Japan

(1916 - 2013) Member of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service

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Harry Schneider
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Harry Schneider

Meeting Mr. Amano

(1916 - 2013) Member of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service

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Harry Schneider
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Harry Schneider

Marriage and Returning to US

(1916 - 2013) Member of the U.S. Military Intelligence Service

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