Densho Digital Archive - Louise Kashino - Sadaichi Kubota - Bill Thompson Interview (denshovh-klouise

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TI: Okay. So why don't we get started? And why don't you go ahead and ask the first question?

DM: When you initiated this effort, why did you feel it was so important to overturn the court-martial or to see that happen?

SK: Well, you know, when we trained together, when we fought together shoulder-to-shoulder, we formed a great, great togetherness, a camaraderie. And I didn't feel that it should end when the war ended. That we should continue together. So when this person made that remark, sort of kidding your father, regards to his court-martial, I said, "No, this is wrong. This is wrong." It really hurt me, Shiro being very good friend of mine, and we fought together. I thought something should be done, must be done. So this is the reason I took steps in trying to get him out of the conviction. So that was the beginning.

TI: Okay, and how about the others?

DM: What about the others? How about Mr. Thompson? You didn't know my father...

BT: No, I didn't.

DM: And yet you did so much on his behalf. Why was it important to you?

BT: Well, knowing Sadaichi was trying to do something, that I could help. Main thing was that I had access to the 442nd archive records. And so just bumping into him and having him tell me what he's trying to do, so I said, "Oh, let me help you. I'll get whatever records you need." And that started it.

SK: Yes. Actually, it's a chance meeting. Because I knew, I know Bill very well from Hilo days. And when my effort got stopped along the way, I said, "There must be something..." It was really frustrating to me to have this thing stopped over there, you see. So I was airing my frustration to Bill one day. So all he said was, "Hey, Sadaichi, let me help." And this was the beginning. And I really, really appreciated his help. Yes. He did all kind of research.

BT: Yeah, well, he had Kash write a letter to me. I think it was a two-page letter, very kind of formal like. And I said, "Oh, heck, we're 442, we should stick together, we've always done it."