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RP: This is an oral history interview for the Manzanar National Historic Site. Today we're talking with Susumu... what's your last name again, I'm sorry?

SY: Yenokida.

RP: Yenokida.

SY: Yenokida. For some reason, when Dad came to this country they put a "Y" instead of an "E" because it's called "eh," but then "Yeh." You see what I mean? And then I've had difficulties with this thing. I have.

RP: Okay.

SY: The computer can't distinguish the "yeh" and the "eh." [Laughs]

RP: Yeah. Okay, well, I can. So, Yenokida. And our interview's taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Sus is here as well as us for the Japanese American National Museum conference called Enduring Communities. And we'll be talking to Sus about his experiences during World War II and the Amache War Relocation Center as well as Merced Assembly Center. And most importantly, his resistance to the draft which landed him at the Santa Catalina Work Camp or prison camp. Our interview's taking place on July 5, 2008. Our interviewer is Richard Potashin, our videographer is Kirk Peterson. And our interview today with be archived in the archives of the Manzanar National Historic Site library. Sus, do I have permission to record our interview? Thank you very much for joining us. I know it's kind of a busy week, week for you. But we're gonna jump right in here and talk a little bit about your early history and your family history. Tell us, first of all, where you were born and what year.

SY: I was born in Turlock, California, June 28, 1925.

RP: '25, okay.

SY: Yeah.

RP: Were you born in a hospital or were you born at home?

SY: I think I was born in the hospital. I'm not too awful sure. I couldn't remember [Laughs.]

RP: Yeah. You didn't have much... yeah, that's, that's a little early. And your given name was...

SY: Susumu, right.

RP: Yenokida. What is, what is... do you know the meaning of your first and last name? Did your...

SY: First name is to, Susumu in, in Japanese language, is "to advance" or to become... what do you call? If it's in the military terminology, "to advance." And Yenokida is a, is a tree. It's called a enoki, but I can't remember the exact name for it. It's some kind of a brush. Yeah, enoki.

RP: Enoki.

SY: Yeah.

RP: Uh-huh. And did you ever take an American name?

SY: Never have.

RP: Never have?

SY: Never have.

RP: Nobody ever tried to call you "George" or...

SY: No, no.

RP: [Laughs] But... well, we're refer to you as "Sus" for the interview?

SY: Exactly.

RP: Okay.

SY: Yeah. That'd be fine.

RP: Great.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2008 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.