George Morihiro Interview Segment 1

Father's immigration story (ddr-densho-1000-182-1) - 00:02:30
Mother's story: born in Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-182-2) - 00:02:48
Description of childhood in Fife, Washington; siblings (ddr-densho-1000-182-3) - 00:05:42
Childhood memories: getting kicked out of Japanese language school, ethnic diversity of friends (ddr-densho-1000-182-4) - 00:08:31
Description of parents' prewar religious practices (ddr-densho-1000-182-5) - 00:06:08
Helping father deliver sake to neighbors; father's work in the sawmill industry (ddr-densho-1000-182-6) - 00:08:56
Description of prewar discrimination; hearing of neighbor who couldn't find employment (ddr-densho-1000-182-7) - 00:07:11
An influential trip to Japan as a child (ddr-densho-1000-182-8) - 00:06:04
Childhood activities, hunting and fishing (ddr-densho-1000-182-9) - 00:04:09
Attending Fife High School, ethnic diversity of students (ddr-densho-1000-182-10) - 00:06:07
Memories of high school: student body treasurer, interracial dating (ddr-densho-1000-182-11) - 00:09:28
Brother's serving in the military prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-densho-1000-182-12) - 00:02:44
Hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor; feeling surprised upon seeing father's anger (ddr-densho-1000-182-13) - 00:05:42
The difficulties of preparing for mass removal (ddr-densho-1000-182-14) - 00:04:52
Returning to school after Pearl Harbor; an emotional graduation ceremony (ddr-densho-1000-182-15) - 00:05:46
Entering Puyallup Assembly Center: "the day you walked through that gate, you know you lost something" (ddr-densho-1000-182-16) - 00:04:04
Feeling hurt upon being incarcerated, yet still feeling patriotic (ddr-densho-1000-182-17) - 00:04:19
Life in Puyallup Assembly Center: talking with the guards, being warned away from the fence (ddr-densho-1000-182-18) - 00:08:13
Journey to Minidoka concentration camp, fear of the unknown (ddr-densho-1000-182-19) - 00:04:29
Working with the truck drivers in camp (ddr-densho-1000-182-20) - 00:02:04
Celebrating sister's wedding in camp (ddr-densho-1000-182-21) - 00:03:53
Stories about Japanese Americans' draft physicals (ddr-densho-1000-182-22) - 00:06:09
Mother's sadness upon hearing of volunteering for the draft (ddr-densho-1000-182-23) - 00:02:56
Incident involving non-Japanese American soldiers at basic training (ddr-densho-1000-182-24) - 00:06:08
Encountering racial segregation in Mississippi (ddr-densho-1000-182-25) - 00:06:49
Assigned to carry a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) (ddr-densho-1000-182-26) - 00:08:04
Feeling excitement upon being shipped overseas (ddr-densho-1000-182-27) - 00:02:18
Witnessing the war devastation of Europe (ddr-densho-1000-182-28) - 00:02:31
Meeting the more seasoned soldiers, learning from them (ddr-densho-1000-182-29) - 00:06:48
Description of the Champagne Campaign (ddr-densho-1000-182-30) - 00:06:46
Corresponding with family in camp (ddr-densho-1000-182-31) - 00:04:28
Preparing for the battle of the Gothic Line (ddr-densho-1000-182-32) - 00:04:19
Description of the Gothic Line (ddr-densho-1000-182-33) - 00:07:01
Being injured in battle (ddr-densho-1000-182-34) - 00:08:35
Mental aspects of war: facing danger, witnessing death of friends (ddr-densho-1000-182-35) - 00:04:54
Receiving a letter from father while recovering from injury (ddr-densho-1000-182-36) - 00:05:00
Differences between younger and older soldiers (ddr-densho-1000-182-37) - 00:03:48
Thoughts on whether the incarceration could happen again (ddr-densho-1000-182-38) - 00:03:49
Learning Morse code after the end of the war (ddr-densho-1000-182-39) - 00:05:01
Returning to Fife, a happy reunion with father (ddr-densho-1000-182-40) - 00:03:26
Changes in Fife after the war; brother-in-law's difficulty with discrimination (ddr-densho-1000-182-41) - 00:05:23
Working in Fort Lewis, deciding not to attend the University of Washington (ddr-densho-1000-182-42) - 00:04:47
Enrolling in photography school in Connecticut (ddr-densho-1000-182-43) - 00:06:16
Meeting diverse people while working in New York City (ddr-densho-1000-182-44) - 00:04:20
Interactions with other Japanese Americans in New York City (ddr-densho-1000-182-45) - 00:07:12
Working as a salesman at Tall's Camera company in Seattle (ddr-densho-1000-182-46) - 00:05:50
Avoiding serving in the Korean War by working at Fort Lewis, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-182-47) - 00:02:35
Attending reunions with fellow 442nd soldiers (ddr-densho-1000-182-48) - 00:05:23
Speaking to schoolchildren about experiences (ddr-densho-1000-182-49) - 00:05:47
A changing Fife community (ddr-densho-1000-182-50) - 00:09:49
Reflection on life choices (ddr-densho-1000-182-51) - 00:07:55
Sharing legacy with future generations (ddr-densho-1000-182-52) - 00:05:51
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PARTNER

Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-182-1 (Legacy UID: denshovh-mgeorge_2-01-0001)

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Father's immigration story

00:02:30 — Segment 1 of 52

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DATE

December 15 & 16, 2005

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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PARTNER

Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-182

NARRATOR

George Morihiro

INTERVIEW TITLE

George Morihiro Interview

04:43:38 — 52 segments

DATE

December 15 & 16, 2005

LOCATION

Seattle, Washington

DESCRIPTION

Nisei male. Born September 19, 1924, in Tacoma, Washington, and spent childhood in Fife, Washington. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Drafted into the army in 1944 and joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe. Awarded the Purple Heart for actions in the Battle of the Gothic Line. After the war, briefly resettled in Fife before going to the East Coast to attend photography school. Worked for Tall's Camera in Seattle, Washington for many years. Currently speaks to many school groups and community organizations about wartime experiences.

PRODUCTION

Megan Asaka, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

RIGHTS

API