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 (277)
Military service (4131)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

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

Gallery view
List view

4131 items

img Row of tents (ddr-ajah-2-223)

Caption below photo: Klamath, our second stop

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-223/

img Two men in suits (ddr-ajah-2-501)

Caption below photo: Grew / Rasmussen

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-501/

img Joe Iwataki (ddr-ajah-2-574)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-574/

img Man in overcoat in uniform standing in snow (ddr-ajah-2-440)

Caption below photo: Tak Hirabayashi

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-440/

img Man sitting on steps (ddr-ajah-2-414)

Caption below photo: Min Sumida

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-414/

img View of bridge (ddr-ajah-2-598)

Caption below photo: Grey Street Bridge

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-598/

img Group of men lined up outside building (ddr-ajah-2-503)

Caption below photo: Morning break period

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-503/

img Crowd with line of busses (ddr-ajah-2-123)

Caption below photo: Bus Station, Fort Ord

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-123/

img Photo of man in uniform, likely Joe Iwataki (ddr-ajah-2-30)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-30/

img Men in field with fort in background (ddr-ajah-2-56)

Caption below photo: Extended Order Drill

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-56/

img Truck on side of road with group of men in back (ddr-ajah-2-210)

Caption below photo: 10 minute break

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-210/

img Joe Iwataki standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-344)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-344/

img Men playing basketball (ddr-ajah-2-357)

Caption below photo: Basketball game

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-357/

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-535-127)

Check-in letter from Washington, D.C. Tad and Shiro went together and are staying at the United Nations Service Center, a U.S.O.-owned hotel for enlisted men. Parents' note on envelope back: 130 Saturday Feb. 10, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-127/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-43)

Tad and company learned how to drive the army trucks. He mentions that they can either be 2-, 4-, or 6-wheel drive; says to ask To-chan about it. Includes a drawing of the truck. Parents' note on envelope back: (44) Monday Oct. 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-43/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-298)

Got a haircut; received two letters; asks for magazines and candy, but maybe something different; will send photos soon. Parents' note on envelope back: 300 Friday Dec. 7, 1945 request for magazines and candy.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-298/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-155)

Tad did not see Bob (Yatabe), were quarantined with measles, and asked for dark glasses, carbon stone and some candy. Parents' note on envelope back: 158 Wednesday April 4, 1945 request

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-155/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-153)

Check-in letter from Overseas; Tad departed from New York Harbor for overseas deployment. He wished her mother happy birthday and mentioned that the cigarette is only 55c. He request for socks and candy in the end. Letter passed by navel censor. Parents' note on envelope back: 156 First Letter from overseas Thursday March 29, 1945 Request

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-153/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-252)

Tad received the package with the shirt and pants, and magazines; went riding; planning to go to a dance later. Parents' note on envelope back: 254 Monday Sept. 24, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-252/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-137)

Check-in letter from New York, written across two days. Tad's still in the hospital, listening to Danny Kaye on the radio. He says he hopes Hana is getting along ok: "she is probably getting fat, isn't she" Asks his mother if she's heard from Bob (Yatabe). Ends with Tad learning he's getting kicked out of the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-137/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-73)

Tad saw "Frenchman's Creek" at the movies ("not too good"). Parents' note on envelope back: 76 Wednesday Nov. 22, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-73/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-307)

Thanks them for the photograph; went to a movie in Leghorn (Livorno) the night before; must be nice to see all their friends in San Francisco and hopes things will be settled before he comes home; heard that the 442nd is getting replacements soon; planning a trip to Rome. Parents' note on envelope back: 310 Friday …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-307/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-323)

It is the two year anniversary of the formation of the 442nd and they are having a celebration and show three movies; Is waiting for the cigarettes so he can sell them but its okay because everyone does it, even the officers; is sending some more photos. Parents' note on envelope back: #326 Friday Feb. 15, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-323/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-303)

Sent a package home, hopes it arrives soon; went horseback riding and is stiff; asks how things are in San Francisco and who they have seen; asks for magazines and canned goods. Parents' note on envelope back: 306 Wednesday Jan. 2, 1946 Request for magazines and canned goods.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-303/