Spady Koyama Interview I Segment 1

Separation of the family after father's death, five children sent to five different locations (ddr-densho-1000-38-1) - 00:04:47
Sent to live with relatives in Japan, childhood memories (ddr-densho-1000-38-2) - 00:02:16
Growing up in Nisei in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-38-3) - 00:01:56
Returning to the U.S. and adjusting to attending school without speaking English (ddr-densho-1000-38-4) - 00:03:25
Choosing an "American" name (ddr-densho-1000-38-5) - 00:03:22
Influence of the Methodist church on the Japanese American community in Spokane, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-38-6) - 00:02:36
Trying to enlist in the military after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-densho-1000-38-7) - 00:03:47
Racial tolerance in Spokane, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-38-8) - 00:03:38
Kenjinkai activities in the prewar Japanese American community in Spokane, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-38-9) - 00:01:20
Comparing prewar race relations to contemporary relations with new immigrant populations (ddr-densho-1000-38-10) - 00:06:00
Changing ethnic backgrounds of people in Spokane (ddr-densho-1000-38-11) - 00:04:31
Formation of the Spokane, Washington Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (ddr-densho-1000-38-12) - 00:04:41
Dealing with discrimination among veterans' organizations (ddr-densho-1000-38-13) - 00:06:01
Getting involved in community activities (ddr-densho-1000-38-14) - 00:03:00
Thoughts on Mike Masaoka (ddr-densho-1000-38-15) - 00:02:08
Participation in sports as a young person (ddr-densho-1000-38-16) - 00:01:39
Reaction to bombing of Pearl Harbor, "This is your country no matter who says what" (ddr-densho-1000-38-17) - 00:03:54
Being recruited for the Military Intelligence Service (ddr-densho-1000-38-18) - 00:03:57
Experiencing a different racial climate, being Nisei in the segregated South (ddr-densho-1000-38-19) - 00:06:47
Techniques for interrogating Japanese prisoners (ddr-densho-1000-38-20) - 00:07:38
Trying to find a captured prisoner again years later (ddr-densho-1000-38-21) - 00:05:11
Former Japanese prisoners of war visit the U.S. (ddr-densho-1000-38-22) - 00:05:57
Obtaining important information through prisoner interrogations (ddr-densho-1000-38-23) - 00:02:55
Narrowly surviving an enemy attack, receiving near fatal wounds (ddr-densho-1000-38-24) - 00:06:48
Returning home after being injured (ddr-densho-1000-38-25) - 00:05:02
Military Intelligence Service duty in the Pacific, encountering Japanese soldiers (ddr-densho-1000-38-26) - 00:03:45
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ddr-densho-1000-38-1 (Legacy UID: denshovh-kspady-01-0001)

Separation of the family after father's death, five children sent to five different locations

00:04:47 — Segment 1 of 26

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March 23, 1998

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-38

Spady Koyama

Spady Koyama Interview I

01:47:01 — 26 segments

March 23, 1998

Seattle, Washington

Nisei male. Born June 4, 1917, in Ferry County, Washington. Sent to Japan at age five following father's death, returning to Spokane, Washington, in 1927. Enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1942. Served with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in the Pacific Ocean theater during World War II where he was seriously injured during a kamikaze dive bomb attack. Was recalled to active duty and subsequently served both in the Korean War and Vietnam War in military intelligence, directing the U.S. Army's counterintelligence in Vietnam. Retired from service in 1970 with the rank of colonel.

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; James Arima, interviewer; Matt Emery, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

API