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-535-256)

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-535-391)

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-535-59)

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/