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 (4309)

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4309 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-535-127)

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/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-67)

Tad and company had their first class in mortars that day. Parents' note on envelope back: 69 Thursday Nov. 16, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-67/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-21)

Tad says he received a letter from Aunt Tomi, who gave him Bob (Yatabe)'s address; Bob is apparently "finally in Italy." Parents' note on envelope back: (22) Thursday Sept 28, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-21/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-139)

Tad is back with his company and feeling fine. Parents' note on envelope back: 142 Friday Feb. 23, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-139/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-210)

Tad explains that the food in the Service Company is better because they receive supplies first and talked about having Japanese dishes like Tempura and Niku Nabe; reveals that he picked up a German automatic pistol some time ago and plans to bring it home as a souvenir. Tad ends with a request for more magazines. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-210/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-374)

They didn't go on the trip because the truck broke down; found one body the day before but incomplete so can't identify him; he got the hat they sent; its very warm. Parents' note on envelope back: 377 Friday July 5, 1935 Request for magazines and candy.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-374/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-124)

Tad went to D.C. the day before with Chester Fukuhara, who he knew from Ogden. The two of them rented a cab and went sightseeing. They're now back at camp and plan to see "National Velvet" at the movies. Tad says he knows John Iwatsu's whole family is in New York, but he isn't sure if …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-124/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-160)

Tad talked about weather and a movie. Parents' note on envelope back: 162 Monday April 9, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-160/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-133)

Tad and company are headed out the next day, so they're having a party that night. Tad has yet to be assigned to a unit, "which is a good sign." If Tad goes overseas, he may be assigned to the 442nd: "I might see Bob (Yatabe) yet." Parents' note on envelope back: 136 Thursday Feb 15, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-133/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-215)

Tad's unit is getting ready to move to Pisa next week. Parents' note on envelope back: 217 Monday July 16, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-215/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-147)

Camp quarantine has been lifted. Tad and company are planning to go to New York City. Parents' note on envelope back: 150 Thursday March 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-147/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-256)

Tad and class took a written test and the three men from the 442nd scored the highest; planning to take a trip to Rome if he can get a couple of days off; saw a Mickey Rooney film called "Young Tom Edison". Parents' note on envelope back: 258 Saturday Sept. 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-256/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-116)

Check-in letter from Fort Meade, Maryland, written 14 days after the last letter from Camp Blanding. Tad is bunking with Shiro; the barracks are "swell, and nice." The fort is 45 minutes from D.C. and Baltimore, and the men can leave whenever they'd like if they're not on duty; Tad and Shiro plan to go to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-116/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-56)

Tad and company fired a Browning automatic rifle that day, which was "a lot of fun." Tad doesn't have much time to write since most of the night was taken up by packing their bags for an upcoming overnight hike. The bags contain "one blanket, a pup tent, raincoat, underwear, mess kit, pick, shoes, and toilet …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-56/