Tom Matsuoka
Kibei male. Born August 1, 1903, in Sprecklesville, Maui, Hawaii. Taken to Japan in 1905 and raised by grandparents. Returned to the United States in 1919, joining father at Barneston sawmill in Washington. Married and farmed in Bellevue, Washington. Founded Bellevue Seinenkai and managed the Bellevue Vegetable Growers Association prior to World War II. Was picked up by the FBI on December 8, 1941, detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Seattle, then interned at the Department of Justice camp at Fort Missoula, Montana. Was transferred to the Pinedale Assembly Center, California, and then to Tule Lake concentration camp, California. Was released to harvest sugar beets in Chinook, Montana, with his family as work crew. Established a farm in Chinook.
Interviews
03:32:17 — 34 segments.
