Military Intelligence Service

The first Japanese Americans to serve in the military during World War II were linguists involved in the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). The MISLS was charged with training soldiers in the Japanese language for intelligence purposes. Japanese Americans served as both instructors and students at the school, which opened on November 1, 1941. The Language School began recruiting instructors and later students directly from concentration camps as early as July 1942. MISLS graduates were assigned in small teams to units fighting in the Pacific and to intelligence centers throughout the Allied command. They translated captured documents, interrogated prisoners of war, wrote propaganda, encouraged Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender, and monitored radio broadcasts. After the war, they acted as interpreters at the war crime trials and for the occupation government in Japan.

World War II (231)
Military service (2806)
Military Intelligence Service (1145)

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1145 items

img Man kneeling on rooftop (ddr-ajah-2-718)

Caption below photo: Bill on roof of Dai Ichi Bldg Tokyo

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-718/

img Three men playing cards (ddr-ajah-2-824)

Caption: A game of poker in Barrack 15 at Camp Savage, Minnesota, where Japanese Niseis were members of the Military Intelligence Service, 1945. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-535 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-824/

img Men playing pool (ddr-ajah-2-555)

Caption below photo: Sho / Ishii

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-555/

img Rows of palm trees (ddr-ajah-2-656)

Caption below photo: Cocoanut trees

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-656/

img Groups of men out in field (ddr-ajah-2-443)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-443/

img Men seated at table signing documents (ddr-ajah-2-717)

Caption below photo: General Yamashita

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-717/

img Red Cross Service Club (ddr-ajah-2-595)

Caption below photo: American Red Cross, at Creek and Adelaide Sts, Brisbane

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-595/

img General George Strong speaking at podium (ddr-ajah-2-562)

Caption below photo: Guest of Honor Maj Gen. George V. Strong Ass't Chief of Staff, G-2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-562/

img Man in fatigues standing outside barracks. Inscription on front: Joe- Fort Ord 1941 (ddr-ajah-2-7)

Inscribed on back, unable to scan: "Private Joe Iwataki Co. A 53rd Infantry Fort Ord Feb. 1941 'Fatigue Clothes'"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-7/

doc 1981 Membership Roster MIS Association of Northern California (ddr-ajah-2-23)

Contact information redacted

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-23/

img Joe Iwataki and friend standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-759)

Caption: Joe Iwataki, at right, with friend Joe Curti, while taking basic training at For Ord near Monterey, CA. Joe was from Alameda, CA. July 1941. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-88 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-759/

img Man sitting at drafting table, signed on front (ddr-ajah-2-483)

Caption below photo: Don Hikido

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-483/

img Postcard of room. Printed on front: Reading room, Service men's Center (ddr-ajah-2-553)

Caption below photo: St. Paul U.S.O.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-553/

img View of docks (ddr-ajah-2-672)

Caption below photo: Pier 7

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-672/

img Large group standing in yard outside camp buildings (ddr-ajah-2-520)

Caption below photo: Buffet Luncheon

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-520/

img Man standing next to stone lantern and temple (ddr-ajah-2-721)

Caption below photo: Bill

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-721/

img Group of buildings (ddr-ajah-2-418)

Caption below photo: Rows of Classrooms

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-418/

img Group of men posing for photo outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-809)

Caption: MIS Military Intelligence Service language school / Camp Savage, Minnesota. Iwataki graduated for the MIS in December 1942 / Taro Yoshihashi / Grant Hirabayashi (served in Burma) / Joe Iwataki of Alameda, CA (served in Australia) / Yasuharu Koike of Alameda, CA. (served in CBI campaign)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-809/

img Man reading outside camp building in snow (ddr-ajah-2-464)

Caption below photo: Johnny Kitagawa

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-464/

img Six men posing for photo by tents (ddr-ajah-2-654)

Caption below photo: Bell / Cowan / Hank / Bernie / Taro / Bene / Order of Battle Section

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-654/

img Three men standing by tents (ddr-ajah-2-643)

Caption below photo: Art Tewes / Herman Moore / Dave Siegel

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-643/

img Man in uniform standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-6)

Lincoln T. Taira / Brawley, Calif. Brecs Leader

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-6/

img Train on tracks through canyon (ddr-ajah-2-781)

Caption: U.S. Army soldiers, including Joe Iwataki (he is taking the photo) guard train tracks, tunnels and bridges in January 1942, near Belden, CA.. Iwataki was from Alameda, CA. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-326 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-781/

img Group portrait of men in uniform (ddr-ajah-2-811)

Caption: Nisei soldiers from Barracks 15, Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) Camp Savage, Minnesota, April 24, 1943. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-743 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-811/

img Man speaking at podium (ddr-ajah-2-567)

Caption below photo: Representative of Hennepin County Bar Ass'n

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-567/