George S. Matsui Segment 8

Early education, and choosing not to go to college (ddr-densho-1008-2-1) - 00:03:12
Attending school in Japan (ddr-densho-1008-2-2) - 00:00:48
Drafted into the army in early 1941 (ddr-densho-1008-2-3) - 00:01:29
Basic training and reconnaissance training as an early draftee (ddr-densho-1008-2-4) - 00:02:32
The reclassification and discharge of Nisei soldiers to an enlisted reserve unit (ddr-densho-1008-2-5) - 00:02:18
Impressions of Santa Anita Assembly Center (ddr-densho-1008-2-6) - 00:02:29
Bad food in camp (ddr-densho-1008-2-7) - 00:01:39
Recruited by the military out of Tule Lake concentration camp (ddr-densho-1008-2-8) - 00:02:19
Poor conditions during basic training (ddr-densho-1008-2-9) - 00:01:11
Memories of John Aiso, Director of the Military Intelligence Service Language School (ddr-densho-1008-2-10) - 00:03:13
Stopover in Hawaii on the trip to Europe (ddr-densho-1008-2-11) - 00:03:46
Awarded Bronze Star for securing surrender of Japanese (ddr-densho-1008-2-12) - 00:04:50
Getting in a fight with a fellow Nisei soldier (ddr-densho-1008-2-13) - 00:02:04
Receiving Bronze Star (ddr-densho-1008-2-14) - 00:03:12
No memory of the atomic bombings in Japan (ddr-densho-1008-2-15) - 00:01:12
Visiting family in occupied Japan: an awkward situation (ddr-densho-1008-2-16) - 00:03:40
Traveling to Japan after the war (ddr-densho-1008-2-17) - 00:01:56
Family's wartime experiences (ddr-densho-1008-2-18) - 00:01:41
Serving during the occupation of Japan: natural resources work (ddr-densho-1008-2-19) - 00:02:29
Discharged from the service after amassing 130 discharge points (ddr-densho-1008-2-20) - 00:01:31
Getting married and resettling in Minneapolis, Minnesota (ddr-densho-1008-2-21) - 00:03:41
Description of children (ddr-densho-1008-2-22) - 00:01:18
Reflecting on the past: "Live for the future" (ddr-densho-1008-2-23) - 00:02:28
Siblings in Japan (ddr-densho-1008-2-24) - 00:00:55
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ddr-densho-1008-2-8 (Legacy UID: denshovh-mgeorge-01-0008)

Recruited by the military out of Tule Lake concentration camp

Members of the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) arranged for and conducted this interview in conjunction with Densho.

00:02:19 — Segment 8 of 24

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December 11, 1997

National Japanese American Historical Society Collection

National Japanese American Historical Society Collection

Courtesy of the National Japanese American Historical Society

ddr-densho-1008-2

George S. Matsui

George S. Matsui Interview

00:55:53 — 24 segments

December 11, 1997

Seattle, Washington

Nisei male. Born March 1, 1915, in Los Angeles, California. Spent prewar childhood in Long Beach, California, but attended grade school and junior high in Japan. Returned to the United States to attend high school. In 1941, was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Roberts, San Luis Obispo, California for basic training. Was among the first Japanese American draftees. When World War II broke out, was summarily discharged from the army, reclassified to an enlisted reserve unit, and sent to Santa Anita Assembly Center and then incarcerated at Tule Lake concentration camp, California. Within two months of being incarcerated, was recalled for duty in the Military Intelligence Service. Received Bronze Star for securing the surrender of Japanese military and nonmilitary personnel on the island of Saipan. Served with MacArthur's General Headquarters in Japan.

(Members of the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) arranged for and conducted this interview in conjunction with Densho.)

Marvin Uratsu, interviewer; Matt Emery, videographer

National Japanese American Historical Society Collection

Courtesy of the National Japanese American Historical Society

API