Life after finishing military service: having three sons, working for the air force
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned …
Moving to Chicago, Illinois, attending high school and joining the swim team
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to …
Life in Crystal City internment camp, Texas: living quarters, shared facilities
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct …
Father's status as "enemy alien," adhering to "parole" restrictions
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own …
High school experiences: very little ethnic identity, planning for college
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their …
First wife's passing; moving to San Jose, California, getting remarried
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their …
Involvement in the Japanese American community; recognizing the relevance of history
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct …
Activities in Crystal City internment camp: judo, sumo and baseball
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their …
Kibei male, born October 12, 1923, in Seattle, Washington. Raised primarily in San Francisco, California, spending four years in Hiratsuka, Japan. Was incarcerated with his family at Topaz concentration camp, Utah. Refused to sign the so-called "loyalty questionnaire," and as a consequence was moved to Tule Lake Segregation Center, California. In Tule, he renounced his U.S. …
Sansei male. Born, June 17, 1920, in Los Angeles, California. Grew up in "Little Tokyo," and the Boyle Heights area. During World War II, was removed to the Poston concentration camp, Arizona. Became ordained as a Baptist minister while incarcerated, ministering to fellow camp inmates and leading ecumenical worship services in camp. Left Poston to attend …
Nisei male. Born July 10, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Grew up in the Thomas-Auburn area of Washington. Following Executive Order 9066, family was removed to the Pinedale Assembly Center, then to Tule Lake concentration camp in California. Later transferred to Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Volunteered as a replacement for the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team and trained …
Original WRA caption: It's suppertime for the kiddies and in their well-furnished, well-stocked kitchen Mrs. George Isoda, left, and Mrs. Masumi Kaneko, right, are preparing the evening meal for their children. With a pair of "ohashis", Mrs. Isoda is preparing a vegetable dish for her 2-1/2 -year-old son, Robin, on the left, while Mrs. Kaneko is …
Selected article titles: "Navy Opens Ranks to Japanese Americans" (p. 1), "Sgt. Ben Kuroki to Speak on "Town Meeting of the Air"" (p. 1), "1000 Tule Lake Renunciants Enter Suit to Regain Rights" (p. 1), "Evacuee Group Leaves Seattle for Hawaii" (p. 1), "Native Sons Want Relocation Camps to be Kept Open" (p. 1), "Southern Pacific …
Nisei male. Born July 10, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Grew up in the Thomas-Auburn area of Washington. Following Executive Order 9066, family was removed to the Pinedale Assembly Center, then to Tule Lake concentration camp in California. Later transferred to Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Volunteered as a replacement for the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team and trained …
Nisei female. Born September 5, 1928, in Tacoma, Washington, moved with her family to Seattle at age four. At age six, began singing, taking voice lessons and performing on stage for Japanese American community events. In 1942, was incarcerated with her family at Puyallup Assembly Center and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, where she continued to sing …
Selected article titles: "Procedure Simplified for Employment of Aliens in Gov't.-Contracted Jobs. War, Navy Justice Departments Urge Use of Loyal Aliens" (p. 1), "Anti-Discrimination Policy Outlined by Roosevelt Applied" (p. 1), "16 Students to Receive Seattle High Diplomas" (p. 1), "Residents Will Vote on Charter Tuesday. Voters Must be 18 or Older; Polls Open From Noon …
Selected article titles: "Dies' Group Hearing on WRA Opens Monday. Field Men to Give Reports On Centers. Probe Shows Laxity in Evacuee Releases, Rep. Thomas Claims" (p. 1), "Loyalty of Nisei Questioned by Dies' Investigator" (p. 1), "Opportunity in Mid-West Cities Offered. Dies' Charges Lead to Discontinuance of Training Program" (p. 1), "Public Usage of Enemy …
Nisei female. Born September 5, 1928, in Tacoma, Washington, moved with her family to Seattle at age four. At age six, began singing, taking voice lessons and performing on stage for Japanese American community events. In 1942, was incarcerated with her family at Puyallup Assembly Center and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, where she continued to sing …
Staying in New York City after the war, meeting future wife, and passing civil service exam
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
Deciding to volunteer for the army in hopes that father would be released; feeling conflicted upon being placed in a segregated unit
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Landing in Europe; setting up headquarters station and aid stations as moved from place to place
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
In retrospect, feeling more positive about the fact that the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was a segregated unit
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Volunteering to move early to Minidoka to help prepare the camp for the other Japanese Americans
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
Arranging a trip out of camp to visit father in Lordsburg, New Mexico before induction into the army
William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Reuniting with family in Chicago, Illinois after deciding to attend graduate school at the University of Chicago
Mitsuye Yamada was interviewed together with her two surviving brothers, William Toshio Yasutake and Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. She was interviewed individually on October 9-10, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
