<Begin Segment 25>

MN: Where did you do your basic training?

KM: Oh, it's tough. I was in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and I was assigned to do basic training with six guys in a hut, and one of the guys got measles. And after about six weeks in there, I ended up in the hospital getting measles myself. So when I got out of the hospital, I had to start my basic training all over again. So six weeks was a waste of time. [Laughs]

MN: Now when you first got to Camp Robinson in Arkansas, was this the first time you saw whites only and blacks only sections?

KM: Yes, that's right. That's why I went into the "blacks" toilet section and was told that, "You're in the wrong place." So that's how I found out that blacks only was for blacks only. The other side was for the others, non-blacks. That's the first time I really felt or knew about that real discrimination as such.

MN: What did you think about that when you saw that?

KM: I didn't think it was right, but that's the way things go, I guess.

MN: Now when you were going through basic training, were you in a segregated unit?

KM: No.

MN: Now I think you were talking about, you got an expert infantry...

KM: Badge? Oh, they, after your basic training, you go through a lot of maneuvers. And so there's a test that you go through to see how proficient you are as a soldier. And so I went through this routine, and I guess I got a perfect mark on it, so they gave me what they call an expert infantry badge or something like that, which entitled me to get five dollars a month more than the regular basic pay.

MN: Now you mentioned that you were in a unit that was integrated. How did the other non-Japanese American soldiers treat you?

KM: No, there was no, I didn't feel any kind of discrimination if that's what you're talking about. I felt as comfortable as anybody. Yeah, I didn't feel any discrimination.

MN: Now you're in Arkansas, Camp Robinson. Did you get a chance to visit either Rohwer or Jerome?

KM: Yeah. One time I think I went to a dance on a Saturday night at Rohwer, raining cats and dogs, so I didn't, we didn't stay too long because it was raining so hard that we didn't stay too long. So I didn't get to meet too many people there, and know what it was like to be back in the groove.

MN: Now you finished basic training and ended up at the Military Intelligence Service.

KM: MIS.

MN: How did you end up there? Did you take a test?

KM: No. I guess because of my Japanese school background and all that, when I, on my resume, they figured that I was better I was going to MIS than being sent to Fort Blanding in the infantry. I guess that's why I ended up there.

MN: Now was it on the train from Camp Robinson to Fort Snelling that VE Day was declared?

KM: VE... I think, no, I think I was on furlough when VE Day was declared, and also I think I was on the furlough on the train when VJ Day came. I remember both times I was on a train going someplace.

MN: What was MIS school like?

KM: What was it like? Oh, very, they were very meticulous about you learning the Japanese language, especially the new or the complicated Japanese or military sayings. 'Cause they were trying to teach us how to decipher military language, so very strict, and escalating Japanese real fast.

MN: Were you able to write to your mother and father in Japanese when you were in Japan?

KM: Oh, I remember, in fact, my mother has a bunch of letters that I wrote to her while I was stationed in Japan and then today I can... I know it's my writing, but I can't read it myself anymore. You got to use it just to maintain it.

MN: How many months were you in MIS school?

KM: Huh?

MN: How many months were you in MIS school?

KM: How many what?

MN: Months.

KM: Oh, went overseas. Let's see. March... I remember.... see, one month and... I'm trying to figure out what month I went to overseas, so I have to go backwards. Gee, I forgot.

MN: We'll come back to that. Now while you were at Fort Snelling, your parents left Manzanar. Where did they go?

KM: Oh, my parents went to Seabrook Farms in... where is it? Philadelphia?

MN: New Jersey.

KM: Anyway, I guess they had an opportunity to get out and earn some decent money, I guess. I don't know why they left camp, but I guess they couldn't, they wanted something to do. Oh, my sister was probably in school in New York, and then maybe that's why they thought, "Well, we'd be close to her to be there," so that's why they went.

MN: Were you able to visit them in Seabrook Farms?

KM: Oh, yeah. When I was in the army I took a trip from, I think, Snelling to Seabrook Farms, yeah.

MN: Now you were still in the MIS, Fort Snelling, when VJ Day was declared. How did you feel about when you heard the news?

KM: Let's see. Well, I was relieved that I wouldn't get shot at, anyway. I decided I wouldn't be in the front lines getting killed. That's about the only thing I can recall maybe thinking.

<End Segment 25> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.