Military service

The story of Japanese Americans in the military during World War II is complex and in many ways ironic. It is a story of mistrust by the very country for which these soldiers placed themselves in harms' way. Many were drafted directly out of the camps and fought for democracy abroad while their parents and families were incarcerated by their own government.

World War II (231)
Military service (2806)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

2806 items

img USO hut (ddr-csujad-55-2371)

Postcard depicting a United Service Organization hut. Caption on postcard reads: USO Hut, Pocatello, Idaho where coffee, milk, sandwiches, cakes, and stationary are distributed by volunteer workers to servicemen and women traveling on the Union Pacific Railroad. Title from caption. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2477

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2371/

doc For soldiers: National Service Life Insurance (ddr-csujad-55-2363)

Brochure advertising life insurance for those who serve in the armed forces. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2469

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2363/

doc Personal notes of Winston I. Nakagawa (aka "Bill") (ddr-csujad-55-1280)

Personal handwritten notes covering the day-to-day operations of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, German weapons, ammunitions, tactics, and methods; and charts for various military divisions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1282

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1280/

doc Memo from C.E. Duncan, Colonel, Air Corps Chief of Staff, to all personnel, Headquarters, Second Air Force, November 2, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-2189)

Memorandum of understanding from C.E. Duncan to All Personnel, Headquarters, Second Air Force regarding the award of the American Theater Ribbon. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2291

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2189/

img Japanese American serviceman and woman (ddr-csujad-55-2300)

Black and white photograph of a Japanese serviceman and woman standing in front of a city building. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2405

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2300/

doc Union Pacific railroad transportation ticket (ddr-csujad-55-2196)

Union Pacific railroad transportation ticket #776353 belonging to George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2298

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2196/

doc Letter from Frank S. Okusako to Mary Yamasnira, October 25, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-242)

Correspondence from Frank Okusako to Mary Yamasnira describing Okusako's experience of being wounded in action and current health status. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0244

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-242/

doc Ticket seller's sale slip (ddr-csujad-55-2197)

Ticket seller's sale slip for railway travel belonging to George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2299

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2197/

img Japanese American individuals (ddr-csujad-55-2282)

Black and white photograph depicting Japanese American serviceman and woman in a park. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2387

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2282/

Letter from Harrison A. Gerhardt, Lt. Col., General Staff Corp, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War, to Mr. Saburo Nakashima, Chairman, Heart Mountain Community Council, March 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-757)

doc Letter from Harrison A. Gerhardt, Lt. Col., General Staff Corp, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War, to Mr. Saburo Nakashima, Chairman, Heart Mountain Community Council, March 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-757)

Correspondence from Harrison Gerhardt to Saburo Nakashima in response to Nakashima's questions regarding the draft and racial discrimination, exclusion from the west coast military zone, and discrimination against Japanese American soldiers. Also includes a letter dated March 4, 1944 regarding racial discrimination against Japanese Americans by the military. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-757/

doc Orthopedic Section report for Pvt. George Hideo Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2152)

Prescription for arch supports for Pvt. George Hideo Nakamura. FLW-H-120. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2254

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2152/

img Japanese American serviceman and woman (ddr-csujad-55-2269)

Black and white photograph of a Nisei woman and serviceman. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2373

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2269/

doc Letter from Curtis C. Roes, 1st Lt. C.E. Commanding, to Dorothy Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2361)

Correspondence from Curtis C. Roes to Dorothy Nakamura regarding George Hideo Nakamura's arrival at Fort Leonard Wood and informing her about the amenities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2467

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2361/

img Japanese American servicemen (ddr-csujad-55-2276)

Black and white photograph depicting three Japanese American servicemen. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2381

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2276/

doc Reinstitution of selective service (ddr-csujad-55-758)

Booklet titled: Reinstitution of selective service: summary of the policies of the selective service system, War Department, and W. R. A. which affect Nisei. Contents include: Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Statement of principles; Selective service training and service act of 1940 as amended; Selective service policy; Induction of United States citizens …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-758/

doc Notice of classification, DSS form 57 rev., Osamu Oseto (ddr-csujad-55-1897)

Notice of Classification in the Selective Service for Osamu Oseto. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1900

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1897/

img Japanese American servicemen and woman (ddr-csujad-55-2270)

Black and white photograph of two Japanese American serviceman and a Japanese American woman. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2374

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2270/

img Japanese American servicemen near a church (ddr-csujad-55-2277)

Black and white photograph depicting two Japanese American servicemen and two women in front of a church in winter. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2382

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2277/

doc News clippings regarding the incarceration of Japanese Americans, F.C. 29, March, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-763)

Collection of newspaper clippings covering Japanese Americans during World War II. Topics include incarceration camps, Japanese American soldiers, race, prejudice, work, and other commentary. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0765

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-763/

doc Letter from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean (ddr-csujad-55-2367)

Correspondence from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean regarding updates on Nakamura's daily life in the armed forces and general updates. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2473

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2367/

img Japanese American individuals (ddr-csujad-55-2304)

Black and white photograph of two Japanese American individuals, seated outside. From scrapbook page titled: The Kay Ryugos, Missouri. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2409

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2304/

doc DPA Series: Relocation of Japanese-Americans (ddr-csujad-55-2456)

Clipping from the Documentary Photo Aid series depicting a Nisei serviceman visiting his parents in the Minidoka incarceration camp. Includes text describing the service of Nisei in the armed forces during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2562

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2456/

doc Letter from Leo Uchida to James Waegell (ddr-csujad-55-2328)

Correspondence from Leo Uchida to James Waegell regarding Uchida's map of Manzanar, an enclosed annual from the high school at Manzanar incarceration camp, and inquiring about the selective service. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2434

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2328/

doc Letter from Tsuna Watanabe to Honorable Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War, November 30, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2002)

Correspondence from Tsuna Watanabe to Henry Stimson regarding loyalty to the United States and requesting release from Topaz incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2105

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2002/

doc Honorable discharge certificate for George Hido Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2180)

Honorable discharge certificate for George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2282

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2180/