Nick Nishimoto
Bio
Nick Nishimoto was born in Hilo, Hawaii, and worked at the Hawaiian Pineapple Cannery before entering the United States Army. He deployed to Korea, where he participated in defending the Pusan Perimeter and the defense against the Chinese forces at Unsan, North Korea. On November 27, 1950, he was captured by the Chinese and held in a prisoner of war (POW) camp for two and a half years. During his captivity, he endured attempts by the Chinese to indoctrinate him into adopting Communist ideology. A friend of his, who was a Chinese-American, suffered from an infected cyst while imprisoned and ultimately succumbed to his injury. Nick was able to communicate with a North Korean guard in Japanese and negotiated a proper burial for his friend. Nick served in the U.S. military until 1967. He was extremely proud of his military service and felt that South Korea’s transformation was worth the fight.
Video Clips
First Captured Night
Nick Nishimoto recounts the living conditions in the schoolroom where he was held captive after becoming a prisoner of war. He remembers that the room was so crowded he had to sit hunched over for hours. He remarks that when he finally stood up to relieve himself, he found it challenging to maintain his balance. He describes how another American prisoner had to assist him while the Chinese soldiers laughed at their situation.
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Communist Indoctrination
Nick Nishimoto recounts how the Chinese attempted to indoctrinate American prisoners in the camp where he was stationed. He remembers that twenty-one Americans embraced Communist ideology, earning them the label "turncoats." He mentions that these individuals decided to stay in North Korea and plan to travel further to China.
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Chinese-American in a Chinese POW Camp
Nick Nishimoto recounts his experience in a prisoner of war camp, highlighting that Chinese-Americans were also imprisoned there. He remembers a close friend and fellow POW who was Chinese-American and tragically died from an infected cyst. He notes that while there were American doctors present in the camp trying to provide treatment, they lacked the necessary equipment to do so effectively.
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North Korean Guard Allows Burial
Nick Nishimoto recounts his experience with a North Korean guard during his time in a prisoner of war camp. He shares how he communicated with the guard in Japanese and how the guard permitted him to give his dear friend a proper burial. He reflects on this poignant moment, filled with tears, as he faced the biting cold and made the difficult decision to take his friend's possessions for survival.
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Video Transcript