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)

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vh Spark M. Matsunaga Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1007-3-1)

The challenges faced by Nisei soldiers

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-3-1/

vh An Oral History with Sumiye Takeno, Part II - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-60-1)

An oral history with Sumiye Takeno, a current resident of Denver, Colorado. This interview was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project by California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding Takeno's incarceration and resettlement experience during World War II. Specifically, the interview covers her childhood in Florin, California, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-60-1/

vh An Oral History with Sumiye Takeno, Part I - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-59-1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-59-1/

vh Diana Morita Cole Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-483-8)

A poignant story of brother's experiences in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-483-8/

vh David Sakura Interview I Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-498-12)

Becoming "head of the family" at age seven when father volunteered for the army

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-498-12/

img Soldier in the Snow (ddr-csujad-13-26)

A soldier in uniform poses next to a vehicle in the snow. The caption on front of photograph reads, "11/15/42 Cresent [Crescent] Lake Oregon Conklin." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_021

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-26/

img Soldiers and Incarcerees (ddr-csujad-13-2)

In this photo, two soldiers holding guns are seen surrounding at least one incarceree as well as a man who appears to be addressed as a chef or kitchen worker. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Major [illegible] + social worker during disturbance in Jap area. [illegible]2 armed E.M.E. [illegible] standing by for possible difficulty." …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-2/

img Three Men (ddr-csujad-13-27)

Three men dressed in what appear to be military uniforms are photographed together. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Rogers Beeson Ford." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_022

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-27/

img Soldier on Guard (ddr-csujad-13-18)

A soldier stands with his back to the photographer. He is holding a gun and appears to be on guard. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Tulelake Calif. E.M.E.___ gun guarding Jap [disloyal] who threatened loyal family (his) ____ they left him." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-18/

img Man in the Snow (ddr-csujad-13-30)

A man in military uniform is photographed in the now. It is unclear exactly which month this photograph was taken as the caption on front of photograph reads, "January 1943" and the caption on back of photograph reads, "Sgt. Mallman 2/1/43." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_025

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-30/

img Men in Military Vehicle (ddr-csujad-13-4)

Three men in military uniform are pictured in a military vehicle. The caption on back of photograph reads, "H.J.W. Manning 30 caliber gun on mounted car (armored) patrolling Jap streets during disturbance during Nov 43 at Tulelake Calif Capt. sitting in background." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_031

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-4/

img Caravan of Military Vehicles (ddr-csujad-13-22)

This photograph depicts a caravan of military vehicles and men. The caption on front of photograph reads, "Parked for Lunch Nov 43." As indicated by the photographs in items csudh_tul_0020 and csudh_tul_021, these men are on their way to the Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-22/

img Soldiers and Military Vehicles (ddr-csujad-13-20)

A group of soldiers stand together next to military vehicles. As the caption on front of photograph explains, they are, "On way to Tullelake Nov. 43." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_015

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-20/

img Man Outside First Sergeant Building (ddr-csujad-13-31)

A slightly blurry photo of a man in uniform standing outside a building with a "1st Sgt" sign. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Cpt. Seitz 2/1/43" See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_026

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-31/

doc Community Analysis Notes, no. 1, January 15, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-84)

Titled as: From a Nisei who said "No." Account by an unnamed Community Analyst at Manzanar of the "life experience and viewpoints" influencing a young man's "No" response to the Army registration form's Question 28. The account stems from the analyst's notes, reproduced verbatim, from an exchange between the young man and the Hearing Board authorized …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-84/

Report on Heart Mountain to Tule Lake transfer Sam Horino, leader of movement to challenge Selective Service for incarcerated Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-2-45)

doc Report on Heart Mountain to Tule Lake transfer Sam Horino, leader of movement to challenge Selective Service for incarcerated Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-2-45)

Informational report to Willard Schmidt about Sam Horino, an incarceree transferred from Heart Mountain Camp to Tule Lake Camp. Horino was accused of protesting the Selective Service program for incarcerated Japanese Americans and creating bulletins he posted throughout Heart Mountain Camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0045

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-45/

doc [Some reactions to selective service: Tule Lake] (ddr-csujad-2-58)

Report on selective service reactions at Tule Lake Camp. Report discusses Japanese identity compared to American identity, especially for the Nisei, repatriation requests, and draft evasion. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0058

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-58/

doc Story of the "No/No-No/Yes" Soldiers of the 1800 General Service Battalion, U.S. Army (ddr-csujad-24-69)

In this document Cedrick M. Shimo describes the Army unit during World War II that was made up of Americans of Japanese, German, and Italian descent, who were considered "suspect." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_05_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-69/

doc Letter from Mits Koshiyama to Michi Weglyn, January 26, 1993 (ddr-csujad-24-52)

A letter from Mits Koshiyama to Michi Weglyn about an article in Nichi Bei by Nisei veteran Eji Suyama. Koshiyama praises Suyama for writing that the Nisei veterans were used by the US government. Koshiyama agrees with this point, but argues that a resister like himself cannot make it in public without being criticized by the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-52/

Letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn, July 23, 1990 (ddr-csujad-24-208)

doc Letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn, July 23, 1990 (ddr-csujad-24-208)

A letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn. The letter is a response to Weglyn's 1988 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), regarding records on the Japanese American Citizenship League (JACL). See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-208/

doc Letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen (ddr-csujad-24-92)

A letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen regarding the exclusion of Nisei from universities in the United States during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_07_009

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-92/

doc Letter from Ced [Cedrick Shimo] and Milli to Michi Weglyn, November 3, 1991 (ddr-csujad-24-85)

A letter from Cedrick and Milli Shimo to Michi Weglyn in which they talk about the the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They also describe a reunion of survivors of the German concentration camp Dachau, and refer to a speaker at the event that talked about the treatment of African American soldiers during Word …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-85/

img Camp Savage, Minnesota (ddr-csujad-25-95)

A photograph of a room of US military facilities. The photograph is probably taken in Camp Savage, Minnesota. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_037

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-95/

img Man in military uniform (ddr-csujad-26-112)

A man in military uniform poses in front of buildings possibly in an incarceration camp. From photo album of Robert Billigmeier. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: mei_05_076

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-112/

img Seated Japanese man in uniform (ddr-csujad-26-90)

A Japanese American man wearing a military uniform is seated in a home. From photo album of Robert Billigmeier. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: mei_05_027

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-90/