Robert Arimoto: Witnessed the atomic bomb on Hiroshima
Early Life: Robert Arimoto was born in Los Angeles. His father died when he was only 6 months old. Being the first born of the family, his relatives wanted him and his mom to move back to Hiroshima so that they could take care of him.
Hiroshima Bombing: Mr. Arimoto was only seven years old when the first atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima in the year of 1945. Moving to Hiroshima from Los Angeles, Mr. Arimoto experienced irregular skin problems due to the air. As a result, he needed to receive a check up from a doctor in Hiroshima but was unable to make it on time because his mother was running late to the appointment. This ultimately saved their lives. After the the bomb was dropped, Mr. Arimoto witnessed the devastating effects of the bomb, which included black debris drifting in the air, injured and dead bodies, and a line of traumatized people evacuating from the city. Mr. Arimoto made his way to the city and was amazed by the fact that there was nothing left; the town was desolate. He and his friends snuck into a local school and found a multitude of injured bodies lying on the floor, packed side by side awaiting medical attention.
Post-Hiroshima Bombing: By the time Mr. Arimoto was thirteen years old when he moved back to Los Angeles. He attended Maryknoll Catholic School and later joined the military. He was stationed in an assortment of places such as Okinawa.
Name:
Robert Arata Arimoto
Birth Date: 1/30/1938
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Parents:
Helen Hitoe Ohshita & Chiema James Arimoto
Siblings:
Kumiko, Tetsu, and Mieko
Robert in his youth. He also taught science in the military while stationed in Okinawa.