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

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-107)

Written on New Year's Day. Tad and Shiro are heading to the service club after dinner to have dinner again. The two of them saw "Here Comes the Waves" at the movies, which "sure was a funny movie." Six more men are headed out from Tad's company, but not Tad or Shiro. Parents' note on envelope …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-107/

doc Postcard to Mrs. & Mrs. Y. Ishida from Tadashi Ishida (ddr-densho-535-410)

Change of address form

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-410/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-195)

Tad received many letters and packages and sent a picture home and requested for more candies. Parents' note on envelope back: 197 Tuesday June 12, 1945 PM request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-195/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-69)

Parents' note on envelope back: 71 Saturday Nov. 18, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-69/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-391)

He and Ryo are leaving for another trip the next day; saw a film starring the Japanese actor Sessue Hayakawa called "Macao"; Hayakawa was in Paris during the war and several of the men from the 442nd met him there. Parents' note on envelope back: 394 Thursday Sept. 5, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-391/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-4)

First letter from Camp Blanding, FL. Mentions Tad's bunkmates: John Miyasaki and Ted Matsushima. Includes a request for a pair of slippers. Parents' note on envelope back: (5) Monday Sept 11, 1944 First letter from Florida.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-4/

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-535-311)

Read in the paper that it was cold back home; asks if they were able to visit Tak Yatabe in Berkeley; waiting for packages. Parents' note on envelope back: 314 Wednesday Jan. 9, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-311/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-365)

The regiment will leave for the staging area soon, then the men who will be going home will board ships and the ones staying behind will move to their new units; he and Ryo will be with the Graves Registration Unit near Florence; Terry Shimabukuro will be going home and will be coming to visit, Tad …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-365/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-54)

Tad saw Henry Fukui the other day, but they didn't have a chance to talk. Tad's company is planning a trip to Silver Springs. Parents' note on envelope back: (56) Thursday Nov. 2, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-54/

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/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-289)

He is sending a musical alarm clock he got in Switzerland because it doesn't wake him up; thanks Jimmy and Obisan and Ojisan for their gifts; is learning to run the movie projector in case he needs to fill in; will hold off sending To-chan the watch until the Christmas rush on mail is over. Parents' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-289/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-324)

It has been raining alot; tells about learning to ski on his trip to Cortina; received his Good Conduct Medal; Italians broke into the camp the night before and stole some items. Parents' note on envelope back: #327 Friday Feb 15 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-324/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-183)

Tad went to town last night and bought a bracelet. Parents' note on envelope back: 185 Monday May 28, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-183/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-179)

Victory in Europe Letter; Tad received April letter and candies; Though a lot of the soldiers are leaving, Tad's unit will stay longer for garrison training, Parents' note on envelope back: 181 Thursday May 17, 1945 PM Request sent: 2 service caps; 1 box cookies, 2 packs envelopes, 1 tablet, 2 magazines, 2 funny books, 4 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-179/