Oral History Interview with Roy H. Sato

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Oral History Interview with Roy H. Sato

Florin Japanese American Citizens League

Corriea, Jay

Sato, Roy

11/15/90

Nisei male, born on October 31, 1925 in Stockton, California to a farm family. The Satos moved to Fresno and drier climate for Roy�s father�s health. After December 7, 1941, at age seventeen, despite Roy�s fears of prejudice, there were no problems at school. Reportedly, FBI agents sat in cars in front of the home to watch for suspicious activity and told the Satos to turn in all radios and cameras. The Satos were sent to Fresno Assembly Center, then to Jerome, Arkansas. A small group of families attending a Methodist Church assembled together and were able to travel as a group to the camp. They were also housed together in two barracks to become a close knit �family� unit. The group would remain close until the last Issei among them died. Roy was a foreman of a farm crew and drove a truck in Jerome. He graduated high school and passed the loyalty test prior to induction into the army. He describes in detail decisions of pro-Japan and pro-U.S. supporters. After basic training he was shipped to France in early 1945. Active in veteran activities, Roy describes anti-Nisei attitudes and activities of Caucasian members. After the war and discharge from the military, Roy returned to Fresno and his parents. He completed a course in aircraft engine maintenance and worked for North American Aviation which repaired jets used during the Korean War. After leaving a job in Chicago in air conditioning in 1965, he started his own air conditioning and heating business in Sacramento. He retired in 1988. He sets a high value in Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members, teaching junior high students about internment. He realized that many American adults do not know the facts about internment and the U.S. government continues to apply an internment mode to current antiterrorist programs.

California Digital Library

sound

https://californiarevealed.org/islandora/object/cavpp%3A22535

11/15/90

California Digital Library