Kiyoto Nishimoto Papers

Kiyoto Nishimoto was born in Lodi, California on August 16, 1925 to Tsukano (née Yosunome) and Shigekichi Nishimoto. His early years were spent on a grape farm and he attended the local grammar school and high school until World War II began.
On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt authorized United States Executive Order 9066. This order led to the forced evacuations of individuals of Japanese descent from designated “military zones” located mostly along the West Coast. Kiyoto, who was suffering from scarlet fever at the time, and his family were soon sent to Stockton Assembly Center.
From Stockton Assembly Center, the Nishimoto family was sent to Rohwer Relocation Center located in Arkansas. While interned, Kiyoto completed his secondary education and worked in Rohwer’s mess hall. The Nishimoto family, which was comprised of ten children, saw four of its children drafted into military service during World War II.
After Kiyoto was released from internment, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, Kiyoto was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He was enlisted for a two year period and then returned to Chicago where he worked for many years before purchasing a home. In 1966, Kiyoto visited Tokyo, Japan where he met his wife and stayed for several months to study Japanese. In 1971, Kiyoto and his wife welcomed their son, Shohei, into the world. In recent years, Kiyoto and his family relocated to Hawaii.

Source: Nishimoto, Kiyoto