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)

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4131 items

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/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-52)

Tad plans to go to Jacksonville the next time he has a weekend off; he still wants to find a trumpet and John wants a camera ("he's quite a camera fiend you know"). The night before, they saw "The Song of Bernadette" at the theater; the next day they're planning to see "Mrs. Parkington." Parents' note …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-52/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-85)

Tad thanks his parents for their Christmas gift, which he's already opened (letter written 12/2). John Miyasaki is going into town and Tad plans to go with him; Tad says he can go anytime he wants. Parents' note on envelope back: 88 Thursday Dec 7, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-85/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-255)

Tad and friends had a jam session; did some shooting with his service pistol; still hoping for letters. Parents' note on envelope back: 257 Saturday Sept. 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-255/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-331)

They are cooking a whole pig for New Year's; went horse back riding; getting paid that day; asks how things are in San Francisco. Parents' note on envelope back: 334 Monday March 11, 1947=6

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-331/

doc Letter from Terry Shimabukuro to Mr. & Mrs. Y. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-417)

Telling them he and Tad became friends while serving overseas and he intended to visit them on when he returned, but the army decided to ship the Hawaiian 442nd soldiers directly back to Hawaii, so will be unable to visit; asks that they forward any mail that came to their address to Hawaii.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-417/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-191)

Tad updates a request several weeks back for a service cap due to a new assignment with the Adjutant General's Office and includes drawing for reference. Parents' note on envelope back:193 Friday June 8, 1945 request for service cap and candy, sent.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-191/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-345)

He is annoyed at his mom for not sending the cigarettes yet because she thought they would not get there in time; he admits that he hasn't been truthful about when he's going home, it won't be until much later, July or August. Parents' note on envelope back: 348 Monday April 8, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-345/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-228)

Tad went to Florence where he bought a mosaic bracelet. Parents' note on envelope back: 230 Wednesday Aug. 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-228/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-399)

He should be sailing the next Saturday and back in San Francisco about 3 weeks after that; sent a box of small items including some vases; the box is made from an old German mine; bought a crystal bowl in Venice. Parents' note on envelope back: 402 Wed. Oct. 9, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-399/

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-535-175)

Tad described a three-day assignment as stretcher bearer in the front and met with John again. Parents' note on envelope back: 178 Thursday May 3, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-175/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-174)

Tad moved and shared new temporary APO address of the 442nd Infantry Regiment; Tad noted seeing burnt down towns and sleeping in a pup tent. Parents' note on envelope back: 177 Monday April 30, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-174/