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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

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

Gallery view
List view

4309 items

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-59)

Ted Matsushima is leaving for a Japanese language school at Camp Schelling. Tad's parents asked about the rain; Tad says "it rains so hard that even fishes have to come out or they'll drown." Parents' note on envelope back: 61 Thursday Nov. 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-59/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-246)

Tad commented on his boring routine and shared that he read in paper that 90% of the soldiers in the European Theater of Operations (E.T.O.) are expected to be home by December. Parents' note on envelope back: 248 Saturday Sept. 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-246/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-312)

Planning to go to Rome the next day and stay until Christmas Day; mail is taking a long time to arrive because of the Christmas rush. Parents' note on envelope back: 315 Wednesday Jan. 9, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-312/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-251)

Tad describing work at the veterinary hospital and a horse named Goldy he has befriended; dinner at a restaurant in town; asking for his mother to send him the sweater she knitted for him. Parents' note on envelope back: 253 Friday Sept 21, 1945 request for sweater

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-251/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-364)

Since the 442nd is breaking up, he, Ryo and Terry are busy finishing up the regimental scrapbook and newspaper and handing in supplies, then he and Ryo will start their new job with the Graves Registration Unit, mainly around the Apennines'. Parents' note on envelope back: 367 Tuesday June 18, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-364/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-372)

He went to Florence with Ryo and had a lobster dinner at a restaurant; he has his own searching team with a driver and interpreter; his regiment left for home that day, the 442nd will be deactivated once they get home; met Carl Fujimoto in Florence; had ravioli and meatballs for dinner. Parents' note on envelope …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-372/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-112)

Two check-in letters from Camp Blanding. Tad and Shiro are planning to see "Winged Victory" at the movies. The two of them found out they'll be sent on furlough at the same time, but they're not sure when. The men are allowed to write letters again. Parents' note on envelope back: 115 Thursday Jan. 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-112/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-63)

Tad and his friends saw "The Very Thought of You" at the movies and are planning to see "The Princess and the Pirate" on Sunday. Parents' note on envelope back: 65 Monday Nov. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-63/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-368)

He and Ryo have moved to the GRU (Graves Registration Unit) in Castelfiorentina; they expect to be going out on a trip soon although they don't know what they are doing yet; the food is really good. Parents' note on envelope back: 371 Monday June 24, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-368/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-1)

First check-in letter, written in Pueblo, CO. Includes a drawing of the Grand Canyon. Written only for Fuku, Tad's mother; it seems his father may have been sick. Tad mentions "Mr. Frank" and friends at the end. Parents' note on envelope back: No. 1 9/6 A.M. 1944 Wednesday Sept 6, 1944.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-1/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-188)

Tad was worried about Bill being sent to the Pacific. Parents' note on envelope back: 190 Monday June 4, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-188/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-267)

Got his bracelet engraved name and Go for Broke motto; thinks it may be longer in Italy; returning to his company on Saturday. Parents' note on envelope back: 269 Monday Oct 15, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-267/

doc Letter from Pierce-Rodolph Storage Co to Mrs. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-407)

Receipt for storage of sewing machine to Fuku Ishida

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-407/

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-535-301)

He and friends took the captains jeep and traveled all over, visiting sites from their time in Italy; had lunch at an Italian restaurant; asks for magazines and candy; glad to hear so many friends are coming back to San Francisco; hopes his grandpa will be okay returning to Japan. Parents' note on envelope back: 304 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-301/