Major James Lovell

An Oral History Interview with Major James Lovell

On August 26, 1994, Ted Tsukiyama and Sakae Takahashi interviewed James Lovell who had served as the battalion’s executive officer and very briefly as commander at the battle of Cassino, Italy where he was severely wounded. After the war, Lovell served as president of the post war Club 100. He chaired the building committee responsible for the construction of the new clubhouse and also the historical committee, working closely with Dr. Thomas Murphy, author of “Ambassadors In Arms: The Story of Hawaii’s 100th Battalion,” to record the battalion’s history.

Ted Tsukiyama, a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service, conducted the interview. In 2012, he gave a copy of it to the 100th Infantry Battalion Education Center.

Also interviewing Lovell was Sakae Takahashi, an original officer and highly respected, visionary leader within the battalion. He commanded B Company until he was seriously wounded and evacuated during the battle for Biffontaine, France. After the war he was active with Club 100, serving as president for two terms. He also was a trail blazing politician and a founder of Central Pacific Bank.

In the interview Lovell describes the suspicion and discrimination directed towards the Nisei soldiers from the time they were inducted into the 298th and 299th Infantry of the Hawaii National Guard, during the training period on the mainland and when the battalion first arrived in Africa. He also recalls his experiences in combat until the last time he was wounded and sent back to the United States.

Read Major James Lovell’s Oral History Interview (PDFs):

Pages 1-24
Pages 25-49
Pages 50-end

Read Lovell’s biography: “James Lovell, A Natural Leader of Men”

Read Takahashi’s biography: “Sakae Takahashi, Leading the Way in War and Peace”