Japanese American WWII Veterans Look Back on Pearl Harbor

The Takeaway

Seventy years ago today, Japan attacked a naval base at  Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing and wounding thousands of Americans.  The enemy might have been Japan, but in the American melting pot there were many Japanese faces. The Pearl Harbor inspired solidarity in America soon gave way to distrust and a staggering suspension of the U.S. Constitution.  “War Relocation Camps” for 100,000 Japanese-Americans were set up, and entire families of American citizens were forced to halt their lives and move. Some of those relocated Japanese-Americans petitioned the U.S. to serve in combat as a way of demonstrating their loyalty. The petitions were accepted, and soon Japanese-Americans were fighting as both volunteers and drafted servicemen. Two Japanese American veterans join The Takeaway to share their memories of Pearl Harbor, and World War II.
Virgil Westdale  is a veteran of the Japanese American 442nd division, the most decorated combat regiment in U.S. history. He went on to help free the prisoners of the Dachau Concentration Camp and last month, received a Congressional Gold Medal.
And  Terry Shima  was drafted to serve in Italy in 1944, just in time to see the war end. He is a historian with the Japanese American Veterans Association, and also a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!