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.

Military service (567)

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567 items

img Shikie Kihara and husband (ddr-densho-252-75)

A man in a military uniform standing next to a seated woman in a kimono in front of a building. (Left to right) Unknown Shimazu and Shikie Kihara. Caption on Post-it: "Shikie Kihara w/husb., mar[ried] ? Shimazu. Her husband was 1st one to bomb Nanking."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-252-75/

img Soldiers sitting on a truck (ddr-densho-5-1)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-5-1/

img Reunion of Nisei veterans (ddr-densho-8-1)

Left to right: Debbie McQuilken, Senator Daniel Inouye, and General David A. Bramlett. The two men on the left are unidentified.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-8-1/

img In uniform (ddr-densho-258-86)

Two men in military uniforms standing outside a building. Caption below: "Hideo."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-258-86/

img Wayne and Hideo Kato (ddr-densho-258-87)

Two men, one in a military uniform, standing outside a building. Caption below: "Wayne & Hideo Kato."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-258-87/

img German military plane (ddr-densho-22-49)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-49/

doc Herbert K. Yanamura's citation for meritorious achievement with the 96th Infantry Division (ddr-densho-22-141)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-141/

img German military plane (ddr-densho-22-50)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-50/

img Funeral for fallen soldiers (ddr-densho-37-743)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-743/

img Parade for a Japanese American soldier (ddr-densho-37-664)

Shown here is a welcoming parade for Sergeant Ben Kuroki.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-664/

img Servicemen's monument (ddr-densho-37-750)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-750/

doc Arm-Nav Troppers newsletter, Tokyo Bound (ddr-densho-271-4)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-271-4/

doc Japs Ask to Fight For U.S. in Europe (August 1, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-828)

The Seattle Daily Times, August 1, 1942, p. 2

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-828/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 87 (October 20, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-149)

"JACL Leaders Tell Claims Forms Plans" (p. 1), "Replies on Evacuation Claims Bill" (p. 4), "Chick Expert Off on World Tour" (p. 4).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-149/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 46 (July 1, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-34)

"House Will Get Claims Board Measure Soon" (p. 1), "House to Study H.R. 3555" (p. 1)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-34/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 72 (September 9, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-241)

"Truman Must Approve or Veto Walter Bill by Today; Ten-Day Period Ends" (p. 1), "C-B-I Hero's Wife Awaits Truman Okay" (p. 1), "Masaoka, Brilliant ADC Chief, Named to Distinguished Leadership Award" (p. 2).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-241/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 76 (October 17, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-63)

"First Nisei War Dead to Arrive Late in 1948, JACL is Informed" (p. 1), "Canadian Property Owners Agree to Evacuation Loss Terms" (p. 1).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-63/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 66 (August 16, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-235)

"Walter Gets Bid to Join JACL Confab" (p. 1), "International Carnival" (p. 1), "President Inks More Measures" (p. 2).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-235/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 72 (August 28, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-134)

"One of These Pretty Girls Will Be "Miss JACL' of 1948. Nine Girls Seek JACL Queen Title" (pg. 1), "Gov. Maw of Utah Will Join in National JACL Conclave" (pg. 1), "New Names Delay Renunciant Cases. Extension Granted" (pg. 2), "MacArthur Aide Sure Nisei GI Shortened War in Pacific" (pg. 4)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-134/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 4 (January 12, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-171)

"Nisei Heroes To Be Buried in War Area" (p. 1), "JACL Aide Notes Indignities Suffered by Many Nisei Despite Decided Change of Sentiment Towards Us" (p. 1).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-171/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 37 (April 28, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-105)

"Acheson, Wirin Challenge Validity of Wartime Rider to Calif. Measure Denying Japanese Fishing License" (p. 1), "B.C. Regime to Lift Job Ban but No Franchise Reported Yet" (p. 1), "Gen. Clark and McCloy Endorse Judd's Naturalization Measure" (p. 5), "State Department Opens Way for Boom in Asia" (p. 5).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-105/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 27 (March 24, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-97)

"Nisei War Memorial Drive Keeps on Rolling Along" (p. 1), "Top Court in Nation to Rule on Validity of Calif. Fish Code Barring "Ineligible Aliens" (p. 1), "Money to Fight Nisei Revealed" (p. 1).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-97/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 4 No. 67 (August 19, 1950) (ddr-densho-229-236)

"Technical Move Stalls Action on Walter Bill" (p. 1), "House Version of Soldier Brides Act is Sent to President for Signature" (p. 1), "Japan Extends Farming Land Disposal Date" (p. 1).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-236/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 42 (May 15, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-110)

"Community to Pay Respects to Northwest Nisei GI Dead at First Methodist, June 26" (p. 1), "Registration Measure Goes Before House" (p. 1), "Senate Sends Citizenship Bill Back to House for Rider Action" (p. 1).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-110/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 86 (November 21, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-73)

"80th Congress to Consider Naturalization Measure. Celler Bill to Open U.S. Citizenship to Alien Japanese" (p. 1), "Masaoka Returns to Wash. D.C. After West Tour" (p. 1), "Wreath Placed at Arlington" (p. 4).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-73/