Music Sparks Memories

August 02, 2005

1 of 3Sam Matsui was a member of the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps. Matsui served in an all-Japanese Army combat team during World War II. Prior to that, Matsui and his family were forced to leave their home in Skykomish, Washington. They were interned at Tule Lake, California.

Credit: Courtesy Matsui family

Playing10 mins left

The Pacific Northwest found itself in a unique position during WWII. With its aviation and maritime industries and geographic proximity to the Pacific and Japan, the Puget Sound region quickly became a nexus of wartime activity.

Radio was the lifeline to the rest of the country and the world. The music that came out of that radio - heard again and again in factories and on the street, played at dances and concerts, sung at parties and rallies - became an integral part of the war effort. Music was the greatest morale builder of both the troops overseas and Americans back home. It tied the nation together, and in turn, was woven into the very fabric of American culture.

KUOW's Amanda Wilde interviewed Puget Sound residents to capture these musical memories of World War II on the homefront.

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Music Sparks Memories: Clare Andriesen

Anacortes resident Clare Andriesen recalls the day her family heard about the 1940 fall of Paris over the radio.

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Music Sparks Memories: Helen Cornelius

Seattle resident Helen Cornelius recalls her days as a "Rosie the Riveter" at a Boeing Defense plant.

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Music Sparks Memories: Hal Simonson

Tacoma resident Hal Simonson recalls "D-Day," which signified the beginning of the end of World War II.

Funding for Music Sparks Memories was provided by the KUOW Program Venture Fund. Contributors include Paul and Laurie Ahern and Puget Sound Energy. Special thanks to Doug Paterson for audio restoration. Read more about Amanda's series in the Seattle PI.