Toshikazu "Tosh" Okamoto II Segment 13

Father suffers a heart attack in camp (ddr-densho-1000-248-1) - 00:06:34
The so-called "loyalty questionnaire" creates a split in the family (ddr-densho-1000-248-2) - 00:04:53
Older stepbrother's experiences in a Department of Justice internment camp (ddr-densho-1000-248-3) - 00:02:53
Atmosphere in Tule Lake during its transition to a segregation camp (ddr-densho-1000-248-4) - 00:04:02
Transferring to Heart Mountain, then leaving camp to work at a sawmill (ddr-densho-1000-248-5) - 00:05:31
Working as a Nisei amongst a group of Issei (ddr-densho-1000-248-6) - 00:05:35
Deciding to leave camp for Cleveland (ddr-densho-1000-248-7) - 00:01:52
Working in a defense plant in Cleveland (ddr-densho-1000-248-8) - 00:03:36
Receiving draft notice, going through basic training (ddr-densho-1000-248-9) - 00:03:15
Training alongside white soldiers (ddr-densho-1000-248-10) - 00:04:18
Left behind when unit shipped out (ddr-densho-1000-248-11) - 00:04:45
Seeing devastation and poverty in Italy (ddr-densho-1000-248-12) - 00:06:08
Joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as a replacement troop (ddr-densho-1000-248-13) - 00:04:58
Guard duties in Italy "kind of like a joke" (ddr-densho-1000-248-14) - 00:04:31
Being assigned to the 88th Division as a motorpool mechanic (ddr-densho-1000-248-15) - 00:05:25
Returning to Seattle after military discharge (ddr-densho-1000-248-16) - 00:04:42
Barred from joining a union because of ancestry, becoming a mechanic (ddr-densho-1000-248-17) - 00:06:04
Establishing a career as a mechanic in the fire department (ddr-densho-1000-248-18) - 00:07:43
Meeting future wife (ddr-densho-1000-248-19) - 00:01:57
First coming up with the idea to start a nursing home for the Issei generation (ddr-densho-1000-248-20) - 00:04:02
Forming Issei Concerns (ddr-densho-1000-248-21) - 00:11:36
Becoming involved with Seattle's Nisei Veterans Committee (ddr-densho-1000-248-22) - 00:04:09
Rewarding aspects of community involvement (ddr-densho-1000-248-23) - 00:03:06
Reflections, raising children (ddr-densho-1000-248-24) - 00:04:24
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ddr-densho-1000-248-13 (Legacy UID: denshovh-otoshikazu-02-0013)

Joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as a replacement troop

00:04:58 — Segment 13 of 24

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June 11, 2009

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-248

Toshikazu "Tosh" Okamoto

Toshikazu "Tosh" Okamoto II

01:55:59 — 24 segments

June 11, 2009

Seattle, Washington

Nisei male. Born October 8, 1926, in Seattle, Washington. Grew up in Renton, Washington, where father operated a farm. During World War II, was removed to the Pinedale Assembly Center and Tule Lake concentration camp, California. Briefly transferred to the Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming. Drafted into the army and served in Italy as a replacement troop for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Following the war, became a mechanic in the motorpool for the Seattle Fire Department. Instrumental in establishing community service organizations such as Issei Concerns and Keiro nursing home in Seattle.

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

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