World War II: More Stories from our Veterans

Roughly 320,000 Wisconsin men and women served in the armed forces during World War II. They came from all walks of life and served many different roles in support of the war effort. In these interviews, veterans Walter John Chilsen and Norman Kasper recall their wartime experiences, Chilsen in the Pacific and Kasper in Europe. At home, the attack on Pearl Harbor raised suspicion about the loyalty of Japanese Americans as many Americans feared more attacks on their cities, homes, and businesses. By executive order, President Roosevelt authorized the forced removal of Japanese Americans, primarily living on the West Coast, to internment camps located in isolated inland areas beginning in 1942. Al Hida and his family were sent to a camp located outside Sacramento, California. In August of 1944, his father moved to Milwaukee and the Hida family soon followed. Hida describes his experiences in an interview here. These interviews are generously provided by the DC Everest Oral History Projec