Albert Oyama: Never Again

Through Mr. Albert Oyama's memories, we learn about the experience of one of the thousands of Japanese American families who suffered under the great injustice at the hands of the government, evacuated to prison camps during WWII. The Oyama lost everything and rebuilt their life in Vanport, only to experience the most heartbreaking loss. Mrs. Izumi Oyama is one of the fifteen recorded victims of the 1948 flood.

Vanport City was established in 1942 and lasted only six years, wiped out by a flood on Memorial Day, 1948. This story is part of the Vanport Mosaic community-based oral history project.

Interviewer: Janice Kakishita

Videographer: Ian McCluskey

Produced BY: Rachel Braker

Executive Producer: Laura Lo Forti

The Vanport Mosaic oral history project 2017 was made possible by the generous support of Kinsman Foundation, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Arts Commission, The Oregon Community Foundation.