George Matsumoto Interview Segment 1

Father's family background (ddr-manz-1-73-1) - 00:03:48
Father's arrival in the United States (ddr-manz-1-73-2) - 00:03:04
Childhood memories of San Francisco (ddr-manz-1-73-3) - 00:05:14
Father's job running a concession stand in an amusement park (ddr-manz-1-73-4) - 00:07:33
Memories of Japanese language school and recreational activities (ddr-manz-1-73-5) - 00:07:50
Attending movies as a young person (ddr-manz-1-73-6) - 00:04:20
Discussing world politics with Issei before the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-manz-1-73-7) - 00:06:02
Preparing for mass removal (ddr-manz-1-73-8) - 00:02:56
Reading about world events and military history before the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-manz-1-73-9) - 00:07:10
Traveling to Manzanar (ddr-manz-1-73-10) - 00:02:31
First impressions of camp (ddr-manz-1-73-11) - 00:05:36
Finding jobs in camp (ddr-manz-1-73-12) - 00:08:12
Discussion of food in camp (ddr-manz-1-73-13) - 00:05:30
Sneaking out of camp to climb the local mountains (ddr-manz-1-73-14) - 00:07:54
Working in the camp kitchens (ddr-manz-1-73-15) - 00:05:09
Description of daily work in camp mess hall (ddr-manz-1-73-16) - 00:07:57
(ddr-manz-1-73-17) - 00:02:48
Other food service jobs in camp: dieticians and waitresses (ddr-manz-1-73-18) - 00:02:49
Making home brew in the mess hall (ddr-manz-1-73-19) - 00:04:09
Receiving vouchers for goods in camp (ddr-manz-1-73-20) - 00:04:16
Continuing education in camp (ddr-manz-1-73-21) - 00:04:06
Taking up hobbies in camp (ddr-manz-1-73-22) - 00:05:53
Seeing an improvement in camp food (ddr-manz-1-73-23) - 00:03:10
Refusing to answer the so-called "loyalty questions," and being termed "no-no" (ddr-manz-1-73-24) - 00:06:01
Being sent to Tule Lake (ddr-manz-1-73-25) - 00:02:48
Voluntarily helping in the train's dining car on the way to Tule Lake (ddr-manz-1-73-26) - 00:06:20
Leaving camp and going to Chicago (ddr-manz-1-73-27) - 00:04:32
(ddr-manz-1-73-28) - 00:02:51
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Manzanar National Historic Site
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ddr-manz-1-73-1 (Legacy UID: denshovh-mgeorge_3-01-0001)

Father's family background

00:03:48 — Segment 1 of 28

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June 10, 2009

Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

Courtesy of the Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

Manzanar National Historic Site
Visit partner

ddr-manz-1-73

George Matsumoto

George Matsumoto Interview

02:20:29 — 28 segments

June 10, 2009

Orange, California

Nisei male. Born July 19, 1924, in San Francisco, California. At a young age, family moved to Ocean Park, California, where father ran a concession stand in an amusement park. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed with family to the Manzanar concentration camp, California. While in camp, had numerous jobs, including as part of the kitchen staff. In 1943, refused to answer the so-called "loyalty questions" and was transferred to the Tule Lake concentration camp, California. After being released from camp, resettled in Chicago, Illinois, before returning to California.

Kirk Peterson, interviewer; Richard Potashin, videographer

Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

Courtesy of the Manzanar National Historic Site Collection

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