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-535-273)

Still waiting for order to return to service company; hopes they are able to find a house in California; went to a show; plans to go to Pisa for shopping if orders don't come through. Parents' note on envelope back: 275 Wednesday Oct. 24, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-273/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-244)

First anniversary in army letter; Tad reflected on his experience, expressed concerns for his family's deposit in Japanese banks and shared rumors that 442nd may soon move to Naples for final departure. Parents' note on envelope back: 246 Wednesday Sept. 5, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-244/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-207)

Tad reported receiving old photos from Genoa which was overexposed and planned to take more photos for friends. Parents' note on envelope back: 209 Monday July 2, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-207/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-44)

Tad says the camp is in a hurricane zone but is out of the path of the worst of the storm. The rain and wind are heavy (speeds up to 60 mph) and everyone spent the entire day inside. Parents' note on envelope back: (45) Monday Oct 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-44/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-5)

Second Camp Blanding check-in. General overview of camp and Tad's experience with kitchen duty. Mentions Katsumi Kawaguchi, another private who knows the Ishida family. Tad says he isn't homesick yet. Also includes a story of Ted Matsushima smoking a cigarette while dead asleep. Ends with regards to Mr. and Mrs. Frank, "the BRATS" and Mr. and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-5/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-371)

He is back from Elba, stopped by Service Company but most of the men are gone; saw Hiro Aoki then headed back to Castelfiorentino. Parents' note on envelope back: 374 Tuesday July 20, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-371/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-382)

Reports that he and Ryo's work is considered essential and they will have to stay longer than intended so he will not be home until September; but he will be a sergeant by then and the boats will be less crowded, better for him since he gets seasick. Parents' note on envelope back: 385 Monday Aug. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-382/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-233)

Tad received new package of jam, crackers and magazine; Tad was lucky to be selected as one of three in 442nd regiment to participate for a 8-week veterinary education program in a hospital 40 miles away. Parents' note on envelope back: 235 Friday Aug. 17, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-233/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-57)

Description of the previous day's overnight hike. Tad might go to Silver Springs the next day. Ends with a request for hard candy. Parents' note on envelope back: 59 Wednesday Nov. 8, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-57/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-317)

He is going horseback riding that day; went to Florence and bought some old roman coins which he will send to To-chan; guessed they have seen Bob (Yatabe) in San Francisco; thinks he may be coming home in March. Written on back of envelope by parents" 320 Wednesday Jan. 23, 1946 Request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-317/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-2)

Check-in letter from Memphis, mid-trip to Florida. Parents' note on envelope back: (3) Friday Sept 8, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-2/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-248)

Tad announced that he received the Distinguished Unit Citation for action during the Po Valley campaign (sketch included) and reported receiving $30 in back pay for his Combat Infantryman Badge. Parents' note on envelope back: 250 Tuesday Sept. 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-248/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-26)

Tad got the weekend off and headed to Jacksonville with John Miyasaki, Ted Matsushima, and Shiro Uramoto. Says he'll tell his parents all about the trip on the following Monday. Parents' note on envelope back: (27) Thursday Oct 5, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-26/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-64)

Tad saw Zane Shironitta earlier that night, who looks well. A general came by to watch the company's firing range practice earlier that day. Parents' note on envelope back: 66 Monday Nov. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-64/

doc Postcard to Mrs. & Mrs. Y. Ishida from Tadashi Ishida (ddr-densho-535-411)

Change of address form

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-411/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-28)

Tad thanks his parents for sending stamps. Says that during lineup for guard duty, an officer singled out Tad and another man as particularly well-prepared, so he only had to act as a relief. Tad is "a very proud boy" so proud I'm afraid I won't be able to wear the same sized hat again." Ends …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-28/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-173)

Tad reported the ending of the measles quarantine and a surprise reunion with John. Parents' note on envelope back: 176 Saturday April 28, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-173/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-184)

Tad admitted to lie about being a stretcher bearer and shared experience of shelling nearing the front; Tad hopes to receive a combat badge and includes a drawing of the badge, which qualify him for a pay raise. Parents' note on envelope back: 186 Monday May 28, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-184/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-65)

Tad had a short day at the firing range, so he went to see "From Bowery to Broadway" with John Miyasaki and Shiro Uramoto, which was "really boring." Ends with a story about a private oversleeping. Parents' note on envelope back: 67 Wednesday Nov 15, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-65/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-33)

Written on a Sunday; Tad says they had some great Southern style fried chicken for lunch ("I wish you knew how to fry chicken like that."). Parents' note on envelope back: (34) Thursday Oct 12, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-33/

doc Letter from Robert Yatabe to Mrs. Y. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-404)

Robert Yatabe was Tad's great Uncle. He assures Tad's mother that Tad will likely not end up overseas, but if he does, he will watch out for him; thanks her and others for all their Christmas presents, especially the socks.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-404/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-363)

The 442nd is officially due to come home in June, but he will not be with them because he doesn't have enough points, the remaining men will be assigned to other outfits; he and Ryo asked to be with the AGRU (American Graves Registration Unit) which means he and Ryo will drive around the countryside looking …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-363/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-92)

Tad asks his parents to thank Okasan for the Christmas present and to say merry Christmas to Ike (sp?) and Ojisan. Says that he sent Christmas cards to ?everyone.? Tad and company leave for bivouac in two days. Parents' note on envelope back: 95 Thursday Dec. 14, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-92/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-271)

Glad they made it to San Francisco; asks about the house and new job; went to Leghorn (Livorno) for show and dinner; still waiting for order to return to service company. Parents' note on envelope back: 273 Tuesday Oct. 23, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-271/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-260)

Discovered why he was not getting letters, he sent the wrong address; he is moving to Pisa the next day; went to town and saw a movie. Parents' note on envelope back: 262 Saturday Oct. 13, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-260/