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 (283)
Military service (4287)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

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

Gallery view
List view

4287 items

av Looking Like the Enemy (ddr-densho-1024-90)

Documentary film on the unique experiences of Japanese American soldiers in Asian wars: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The 52-minute film was made by Karen L. Ishizuka and Robert A. Nakamura in conjunction with the exhibition Fighting for Tomorrow: Japanese Americans in America's Wars at the Japanese American National Museum and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-90/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-220)

Tad talked about working as the chief of prisoner guard, food in the new place and requested some more magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 222 Friday July 27, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-220/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-378)

Ryo (Uchida) will be back the next day, but he is just sitting around; will go to Florence the next day to get a radio of the privates in his team; says they are not like the Japanese boys, they won't do anything for themselves unless you tell them to do it. Parents' note on envelope …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-378/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-336)

Went to Florence and bought a tea set for six at a well-known china shop; would like to buy a dinner set as well, but need then to send cigarettes so he can sell them and make enough money; he'd like to buy a set for them and one as a wedding present for Bob (Yatabe) …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-336/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-347)

Getting paid the next day; going to a boxing match with Terry (Shimabukuro); is planning to go to Florence with Ryo Uchida and George Hamai; got his official license to run the projectors; had an inspection so couldn't write the day before. Parents' note on envelope back: 350 Tuesday April 9, 1946 Request for magazines and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-347/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-53)

Parents' note on envelope back: (55) Wednesday Nov. 1, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-53/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-232)

Tad reacted to article in newspapers about mistreatment of Nisei veterans with strong emotions and expressed pride in 442nd's reputation. Parents' note on envelope back: 234 Tuesday Aug. 14, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-232/

doc Letter from Ted Matsushima to Mrs. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-406)

Asking her for news of Tad, he hasn't heard from him in some time

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-406/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-77)

Written on Thanksgiving. The company fired mortars and had a turkey dinner - Tad describes the menu in detail. Tad says he can't send home a photo of himself in uniform (he hasn't had one taken yet), but he includes a drawing of himself to make up for it. Parents' note on envelope back: 80 Monday …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-77/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-198)

Tad sending photo and the negatives home. Parents' note on envelope back: 200 Saturday June 16, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-198/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-309)

He is packing up the watch and clock to send; might go to Florence; heard the regiment is getting replacements soon; John got a letter from Ted Matsushima from Tokyo Bay; if they see Bob (Yatabe) say hello for him and tell him his company is acting as riot companies in they have trouble with the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-309/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-68)

Tad and company shot the machine gun that day. They're planning a party for the platoon that scored the highest at the rifle range. Tad says only about 10 men in the company drink; "all the rest is like me, soda water." Parents' note on envelope back: 70 Friday Nov. 17, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-68/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-294)

Got promoted to Technician 5th grade, same rank as a corporal; he is enjoying his job because can tell anyone off if they don't do things the right way. Parents' note on envelope back: #296 Saturday Dec. 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-294/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-47)

Check-in letter from Camp Blanding after Tad's trip to Starke. In town, he bought a fatigue suit and a warmer army shirt for winter. Wasn't able to find a trumpet. He also bought some pin-up pictures: "my walls are covered with pin-up girls." That night, Tad and his friends saw a Kay Keyser film. Parents' note …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-47/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-82)

Tad describes the night drill from the previous day. Says he's sorry to hear that Mr. Okawachi passed away and says to give his sympathies to Toru. Ends with Tad mentioning that they'll head out on a two-week bivouac soon, but he can probably write to his parents while they're out. Parents' note on envelope back: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-82/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-152)

Tad visited Empire State Building, Radio City and Chinatown, and worked at the warehouse. Parents' note on envelope back: 155 Wednesday March 7, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-152/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-338)

Got some packages and letters from them; still doesn't know when he is coming home; the tea set he ordered will be ready in three weeks; has been overseas just over a year. Parents' note on envelope back: 341 Tuesday March 19, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-338/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-300)

Hopes the money order he sent arrived; asks them to send his ski jacket and a new scarf; waiting for payday since he spent a lot on his trip to Switzerland. Parents' note on envelope back: 302 Tuesday Dec. 11, 1945 Request for ski jacket and scarf

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-300/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-360)

Got the shirt they sent; is planning to go to Milan to hear Toscanini; went riding and had a good horse; saw a show with John Miysaki and Chester Fukuhara; playing the trumpet for the retreat (flag lowering) at night. Parents' note on envelope back: 362 Wednesday May 29, 1946 Request for magazines and canned goods. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-360/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-243)

Tad described a lazy Sunday, when he traded beer for cokes; Tad asked about Tomi family and Fuji's high school. Parents' note on envelope back: 245 Tuesday Sept. 4, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-243/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-50)

Tad says he might have another night drill ("night problem"), so he may not write that evening. Parents' note on envelope back: (51) Saturday Oct 28, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-50/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-306)

Spent a couple of hours visiting John; assures them he is getting their letters; the camp puppy is growing and is very cute; asks how the new job is going; asks for magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 309 Friday Jan. 4, 1946 Request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-306/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-138)

Tad is still in the hospital: "I'm afraid this is too good to last long." Tad sent his address to John, Ted and Tomi. Parents' note on envelope back:141 Friday Feb. 23, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-138/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-389)

Just returned from a trip to Rome to check on reports of plane crashes; didn't have time to sightsee, but walked around Rome a bit; got a package with canned goods and candy. Parents' note on envelope back: 392 Monday Aug 26, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-389/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-376)

Got two letters and a package; he is heading back to Forte del Marmi again; last trip he brought back eight bodies (all bones) which impressed the Lieutenant in charge; has met a nice Italian family there, the father is a cabinet maker. Parents' note on envelope back: 379 Monday July 15, 1946 Request for magazines …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-376/