The memoirs and journals included on this website contain not only the veterans’ documentation of their combat experiences, but also provide priceless information about social and economic conditions in their communities.
Kakuto Higuchi wrote of the battle for Biffontaine, France and Tom Tsubota of his experience serving in Burma in the Military Intelligence Service after he was transferred from the 100th. Rikio Tsuda recalled his combat experience at the Anzio beachhead and Stan Izumigawa, the daily life of an infantryman. Dr. Richard Kainuma, one of the battalion’s surgeons, wrote notes on treating the wounded on the battlefield.
Issac Akinaka’s diaries and life history depict his strong religious faith that sustained him during combat and after the war as he tried to provide for his family despite encountering discrimination in both Hawaii and California. His account of his childhood gives the reader glimpses of Hawaii’s multicultural society.
Dr. Kenneth Otagaki’s memoir depicts the hard life of laborers on a sugar plantation in the early 1900s and the transformation of agriculture in Hawaii in addition to his account of overcoming an early life of poverty and severe wounds sustained while a litter bearer in Italy.
Committed to making sure the contributions of the Japanese American soldiers were not forgotten, Richard Oguro was responsible for the publication of two books. Although he was transferred from B Company to the Military Intelligence Service, he chaired a committee of company veterans to capture the history of “The Boys of Company B.” His second book, “Sempai Gumi” (Japanese for those who came first) is about his fellow soldiers from the 100th who also was sent to MIS training from Camp McCoy.
As more diaries, memoirs, and journals become available, they will be scanned, transcribed, and added to this collection.