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MU: Now, after you graduated or got your law degree, were you practicing law?

GK: Before my graduation, I knew I was going into the army -- the Universal Man Act was enacted -- and I was already assigned my number, by draft board, so I knew I was going to be drafted. So in the meantime, I passed the bar and I got my license but I didn't know what to do in the meantime. So, I did not open my office or practice. But I was giving some legal advice to Issei in the meantime. Then, came March 18, 1942, and I was drafted.

MU: Okay. Let's see. Go back a little bit. You got out of law school in 1940, was it?

GK: '40, June.

MU: And then the war started in '41, and you weren't quite in law practice at that time.

GK: No. I graduated in 1940 and took the bar right after graduation. So, I passed the bar in 1940. And in the meantime I didn't know what to do, so I just waited.

MU: Okay. And then in March you got the call --

GK: March 1942, I was drafted.

MU: You were drafted. Uh-huh. Where did they send you?

GK: First I went to Texas, and that was the induction center for our area, so I went there. And they didn't know what to do with me or with the Nisei. So I stayed there for about two months. And then in the meantime I was sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, for basic training. And then after six months of basic training, I was sent to Cheyenne, Wyoming. And still, they didn't know what to do with Nisei. So in 1942 they decided to organize 442nd Special Combat Team and also organize, establish the MIS. So from Fort Warren, Wyoming, I was sent to Camp Savage for MIS training.

MU: Were there other Nisei with you at that time or were you alone?

GK: I was the only one at that time. (...) From Camp Robinson, there were about 200 of us Nisei who were sent to Cheyenne. From Cheyenne there were several of us -- including Tak Matsui, he was at Fort Warren -- we were sent to Camp Savage.

MU: Okay. Now, Pearl Harbor was in 1941, so that was after Pearl Harbor that you were inducted.

GK: It was after that that I got drafted, and basic training, and MIS training.

<End Segment 5> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.