Note to readers: This section includes firsthand accounts from World War II, with descriptions of combat, injuries, and death. Some content may be upsetting. Discretion is advised.
The memoirs and journals (diaries) preserved on this website are more than historical records — they are deeply personal voices carried across time. Written in moments of uncertainty, exhaustion, fear, and hope, they allow us to see the war not only through major events, but through the lived experiences of the individuals who endured it. Together, they reveal both the brutality of combat and the resilience, courage, and humanity of those who served.
These writings contain not only the veterans’ documentation of their combat experiences, but also provide invaluable insight about social and economic conditions of the communities the soldiers came from and returned to. Through them, we see not only battlefields in Europe and Asia, but also the neighborhoods and families that shaped these men — and to which they longed to return.
Dr. Kenneth Otagaki’s memoir depicts the transformation of agriculture in Hawaiʻi, in addition to his account of overcoming an early life of poverty and severe wounds sustained while a litter bearer in Italy.
Kakuto Higuchi describes the intensity of the battle for Biffontaine, France, while Dr. Richard Kainuma, one of the battalion’s surgeons, provides notes on treating the wounded under extreme battlefield conditions.
Kazuto Shimizu, Stanley Izumigawa, and Rikio Tsuda write of their experiences as early replacements to the 100th from the 442nd RCT. Kazuto Shimizu conveys the emotional weight carried by soldiers during and after the war, and the lasting impact those experiences had on their lives. Rikio Tsuda reflects on the harsh realities of the Anzio beachhead, and Stanley Izumigawa captures the quiet, daily struggles of an infantryman — moments of waiting, marching, and enduring that often go unrecorded in official histories.
Thomas Tsubota writes of his experience serving in Burma with the Military Intelligence Service after he was transferred from the 100th Infantry Battalion. Richard Oguro dedicated himself to preserving the legacy of his fellow soldiers. Although he was later transferred from Company B in the 100th to the Military Intelligence Service, he led efforts to document the experiences of “The Boys of Company B.” His second book, “Sempai Gumi (those who came first),” honors the Nisei soldiers who went on to serve in military intelligence, ensuring that their contributions would be remembered by future generations.
The journals also preserve the day-to-day realities of soldiers whose experiences might otherwise have been lost. Kenneth Muroshige, an original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion drafted into Hawaiʻi’s National Guard before the war, kept a detailed diary from June 5, 1942 — when the battalion sailed from Honolulu — through his return in December 1944. His writings move between worlds: from training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and visits to cities such as Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C., to the long and difficult voyage to North Africa and the brutal realities of combat in Italy. After being wounded near Pozzilli, he recorded the ordeal of waiting more than twenty-four hours before evacuation. His later entries trace a long journey through military hospitals, revealing both the physical toll of war and the kindness of the families and communities who supported him during recovery.
Similarly, Isao Nadamoto’s diary offers an intimate glimpse into the early days of the war. Beginning in January 1942, his entries capture ordinary details, and reflects both discipline and uncertainty, revealing how the soldiers quickly adjusted to a rapidly changing world.
Isaac Akinaka’s diaries and life history depict his strong religious faith that sustained him during combat and after the war as he tried to provide for his family despite encountering discrimination in both Hawaii and California. His account of his childhood gives the reader glimpses of Hawaii’s multicultural society.
Taken together, these diaries and memoirs form a powerful collective memory. They remind us that history is not only made up of dates and battles, but of individuals — each with their own fears, convictions, and hopes. They challenge us to listen, to reflect, and to better understand the human cost of war and the strength required to endure it.
As additional diaries, memoirs, and journals become available, they will be carefully scanned, transcribed, and added to this growing collection, ensuring that these voices continue to be heard. If you or your family have materials related to a soldier of the 100th Infantry Battalion, we warmly invite you to share them so that these stories may be preserved for future generations. For more information, please contact us.