Densho Digital Archive - Ted Tsukiyama Interview (denshovh-tted-01-0005)

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gky: During the war, you must have thought back to those days when you were pretty much told "we don't want, you're not American enough for us." As time wore on, how did you feel about your service to this country? Do you feel like you've vindicated yourself at all?

TT: Yeah, well, when we were finally allowed to get back in the military service, we volunteered and we were accepted and served. I would say that we basically were appreciative of that opportunity, whereas most guys who are either drafted or kind of got pushed into serving, we had a much greater sense of duty, you might say, to serve well, to not only demonstrate our loyalty but also to fight the so-called second battle which is to fight the war of prejudice and fear and distrust. You might say that almost every Nisei who fought in World War II had to fight these two battles, not only fight the Germans or the Japanese as a fighting man, but also to serve in such a manner that would distinguish themselves as not only good soldiers, but maybe valiant soldiers. And I would say that is the reason for the extraordinary high record of casualties and even KIAs by the 442, being the most decorated military unit of its size and time in battle. There was a mission to prove and I would say that that's what motivated. You know, a lot of guys will not admit this, but it was there right in the bottom of the gutter in the depth of their hearts. That's why they volunteered.

gky: You mean you guys didn't talk about it, but it was through the unwritten...

TT: Yeah, understood. That was what drove each of them to endure the training, the chicken shit of the army. You know, the army was a miserable experience, as far as I'm concerned. But it was something to be endured because of these things that I'm trying to say, that we had to be good, not only good soldiers, we had to be better than the average soldier. And I think that's the kind of thing that motivated and drove the 100th and the 442, and even the MIS.

gky: Did your parents ever say anything to you about having gone into the military?

TT: No, I never had the opportunity to talk to them, and I think -- of course, they never objected, and in fact, I think, I kind of think they would have been proud. Just like these gold star mothers that hang the gold star out in their window. They were very proud of their sons. And, of course, the Japanese upbringing is based on one of the values is "kuni no tame," it's "for the sake of the country." And in times of stress, you got to serve your country. You got to be loyal to the country, "kuni no tame." We were brought up with that.

gky: What do you think are the values that your parents instilled in you that made you volunteer, that made you want to prove yourself?

TT: I don't think that can all be quantified and identified black and white. I think it's there, you know, the so-called Japanese values, like on and giri and sekinin and all of these things that we learned in Japanese school, Japanese values or customs, cultural traits. And of course that wasn't expressly pounded into, at least in our family. But it's there. I would say that that's what made the Nisei, as an American citizen with this unique cultural background, made him a different and particularly in military service, made him a better soldier. He could endure more, he had a greater motivation, sense of duty, and a lot of the guys felt, well, they got to go out and do their thing to make life better for their families back home. That's the kind of thing that allowed them to endure.