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 (215)
Military service (1097)

Gallery view
List view

1097 items

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.

http://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, …

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

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

http://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

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

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 102, No. 25 (June 27, 1986) (ddr-pc-58-25)

Edition contains Travel Section, TS 1-4, between pages 6 and 7. Selected article titles: "'Victory in Sight,' Congressmen Tell Redress Supporters" (pp. 1, 8), "JA Groups Support Navajo Cause" (pp. 1, 10), "Japanese Australian Colonies 'Discovered': Australian Relates WW2 Heroics of Nisei Divers Raiding Manila Bay" (TS 3), and "Breaking Down Barriers" (p. 10).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-58-25/

img Private George Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-780)

Private George Yoshioka sits for a professional portrait in his military uniform.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-780/

img Yoshioka family in Topaz (ddr-densho-357-733)

Private Masaru Yoshioka visits his parents in the camp in Topaz, Utah. Left to right: Yoni Yoshioka, Masaru Yoshioka, Tadaichi Yoshioka.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-733/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-742)

Handwritten caption: "At Mr. Nomira's Garden, San Leandro, Masaru Yoshioka."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-742/

img Yoshioka family in Topaz (ddr-densho-357-731)

Private Masaru Yoshioka visits his family in the camp in Topaz, Utah. Left to right: Tadaichi Yoshioka, George Yoshioka, Masaru Yoshioka, Yoni Yoshioka, Giichi Yoshioka, June Yoshioka, Vernon Yoshioka (front).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-731/

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-697)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-697/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-732)

Private Masaru Yoshioka addressed this photograph of himself in military uniform taken in the Topaz camp to, "Dearest Mom and Pop, Love Masaru."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-732/

img Yoshioka brothers (ddr-densho-357-743)

Left to right: Masaru Yoshioka, George Yoshioka, Giichi Yoshioka.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-743/

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-698)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-698/

img Giichi Yosihoka (ddr-densho-357-695)

Hanako Terakawa's caption: "Pvt Giichi Yoshioka, Feb 20, 1944 Edina, Minn."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-695/

img George Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-741)

This portrait in military uniform is addressed from George, "To Ma and Pa." Handwritten caption: "In Italy, George Yoshioka."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-741/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-737)

Private Masaru Yoshioka addressed this portrait to his parents, "Your son, Masaru." Masaru's parents, Yani and Tadaichi Yoshioka, were held in the Topaz, Utah camp.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-737/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-739)

Handwritten caption: "Australia 1944, Mas Yoshioka."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-739/

img Yoshioka family (ddr-densho-357-783)

Left to right: Private Giichi Yoshioka, Vernon Yoshioka, June Yoshioka.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-783/

img Group of children with Ben Kuroki (ddr-csujad-32-22)

Group photograph of children with Ben Kuroki in military uniform at the Minidoka incarceration camp. Photo featured on page 9 of the Minidoka Incarceration Camp Photograph Album (csudh_ben_001). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ben_01_001_010_033

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-32-22/

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-696)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-696/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945, typescript (ddr-csujad-42-82)

Japanese typescript of the letter: csudh_tak_0080. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_39_001_jpn

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-82/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-81)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0080. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_39_001_eng

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-81/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945 (ddr-csujad-42-80)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro in the Heart Mountain incarceration camp to her son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Gila River incarceration camp. She informs them that she is leaving the camp with Kumaji on Friday, May 11, and planning to rent Mr. Shimazu's house in Los Angeles, California. Her other daughters, …

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-80/

doc Letter from George H. Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2183)

Correspondence from George Hideo Nakamura regarding Nakamura's pension credits and requesting consideration for the time he was incarcerated in the Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2285

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2183/

doc Delay enroute certificate, S.F. Form 28-4, George Hideo Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2354)

Notice regarding transportation delays and acknowledging receipt of special orders for George Hideo Nakamura. S.F. Form 28-4. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2460

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2354/