Norman I. Hirose Interview Segment 14

Father's choice of names for his children (ddr-densho-1013-7-1) - 00:02:57
Father's family background: successful rice growers (ddr-densho-1013-7-2) - 00:03:28
Mother's background, arranged marriage (ddr-densho-1013-7-3) - 00:05:36
Description of parents and siblings (ddr-densho-1013-7-4) - 00:03:07
Memories of childhood home in Oakland, California (ddr-densho-1013-7-5) - 00:04:33
Speaking Japanese at home, English in school (ddr-densho-1013-7-6) - 00:01:38
Prewar Japanese American community picnics (ddr-densho-1013-7-7) - 00:01:44
Attending a large Japanese language school (ddr-densho-1013-7-8) - 00:01:55
Thoughts on ethnic composition of neighborhood in Berkeley (ddr-densho-1013-7-9) - 00:03:48
Attending school in Berkeley, including Japanese language school (ddr-densho-1013-7-10) - 00:06:07
Going to school the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor: students were unusually serious (ddr-densho-1013-7-11) - 00:03:41
Selling household possessions in preparation for mass removal (ddr-densho-1013-7-12) - 00:02:30
Assembling for mass removal (ddr-densho-1013-7-13) - 00:01:33
Arriving at Tanforan: description of barracks, facilities (ddr-densho-1013-7-14) - 00:05:39
Social activities in camp: Fourth of July celebration, talent shows (ddr-densho-1013-7-15) - 00:03:41
Being transferred to Topaz concentration camp, Utah (ddr-densho-1013-7-16) - 00:03:22
Arrival at Topaz: "it's just all flat" (ddr-densho-1013-7-17) - 00:05:14
Description of camp layout (ddr-densho-1013-7-18) - 00:05:34
Establishment of schools in camp: "the first week of school was confusion" (ddr-densho-1013-7-19) - 00:03:43
Teaching classes in camp as a high school senior (ddr-densho-1013-7-20) - 00:02:56
Participating in a science club in high school (ddr-densho-1013-7-21) - 00:03:20
Learning about democracy and student government while in camp (ddr-densho-1013-7-22) - 00:04:01
Father's work during camp: temporary leave to work on local farms (ddr-densho-1013-7-23) - 00:02:36
Answering "no-no" on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire" because mother wanted to go to Japan (ddr-densho-1013-7-24) - 00:02:59
Father's health condition precludes family's move to Japan (ddr-densho-1013-7-25) - 00:01:55
"No-no" status, renouncing U.S. citizenship, and a draftee (ddr-densho-1013-7-26) - 00:04:50
Being sent to the Santa Fe Department of Justice internment camp (ddr-densho-1013-7-27) - 00:02:21
Arriving at Santa Fe (ddr-densho-1013-7-28) - 00:02:32
Working in the hospital clinic in Santa Fe internment camp (ddr-densho-1013-7-29) - 00:05:02
Security in a Department of Justice camp: "Santa Fe felt more like a prisoner of war camp" (ddr-densho-1013-7-30) - 00:05:28
(ddr-densho-1013-7-31) - 00:02:35
Description of fellow detainees at Santa Fe (ddr-densho-1013-7-32) - 00:06:47
Returning to Berkeley after release from Santa Fe (ddr-densho-1013-7-33) - 00:02:58
Being drafted into the U.S. Army despite having renounced citizenship (ddr-densho-1013-7-34) - 00:04:13
Moving to Japan, having an arranged marriage (ddr-densho-1013-7-35) - 00:07:27
Teaching in military schools in postwar Japan (ddr-densho-1013-7-36) - 00:04:28
Raising son in Japan (ddr-densho-1013-7-37) - 00:04:55
Reflections: not bitter because, "I have to get on with my life" (ddr-densho-1013-7-38) - 00:03:15
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ddr-densho-1013-7-14 (Legacy UID: denshovh-hnorman-01-0014)

Arriving at Tanforan: description of barracks, facilities

00:05:39 — Segment 14 of 38

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July 31, 2008

Topaz Museum Collection

Topaz Museum Collection

Courtesy of the Topaz Musuem Collection

ddr-densho-1013-7

Norman I. Hirose

Norman I. Hirose Interview

02:24:28 — 38 segments

July 31, 2008

Emeryville, California

Nisei male. Born June 22, 1926, in Oakland, California. Grew up in Oakland and Berkeley, California. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed with family to the Tanforan Assembly Center, California, and Topaz concentration camp, Utah. Signed "no-no" on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire" in 1943 because of mother's wish to have the family move to Japan. Due to father's health, the family did not go to Japan, but Mr. Hirose was one of very few nisei to be sent to the Santa Fe Department of Justice internment camp in New Mexico. After being released from Santa Fe, was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Moved to Japan in 1950, where he taught at U.S. army schools. Married and raised a son in Japan, living there for thirty-seven years before returning to live in Berkeley, California.

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

Topaz Museum Collection

Courtesy of the Topaz Musuem Collection

API