Mike Masaoka Oral History - Washington, DC - Tape 5

Mike Masaoka discusses his involuntary membership in a national board and the subsequent charges of being a communist dupe. He recounts his journey from Cleveland to Washington, D.C., facing discrimination due to his Japanese ancestry. Masaoka details his efforts to restore Selective Service for Japanese Americans, emphasizing the importance of proving loyalty. He describeds the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the challenges of recruiting volunteers, and the impact of the infamous questions 27 and 28. Masaoka highlights the sacrifices of his brothers and the broader implications of their military service on Japanese American rights and perceptions.