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 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-535-4)

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-535-127)

Check-in letter from Washington, D.C. Tad and Shiro went together and are staying at the United Nations Service Center, a U.S.O.-owned hotel for enlisted men. Parents' note on envelope back: 130 Saturday Feb. 10, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-127/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-43)

Tad and company learned how to drive the army trucks. He mentions that they can either be 2-, 4-, or 6-wheel drive; says to ask To-chan about it. Includes a drawing of the truck. Parents' note on envelope back: (44) Monday Oct. 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-43/

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/

doc Telegram from Tadashi Ishida to Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-403)

Asking them to send $25

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-403/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-281)

Ate dinner outside because it was so warm; waiting for orders to return to his company, but wants to wait until he gets his PX; asks for more candy and magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 283 Sat. Nov. 3, 1945 request for candy and magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-281/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-354)

Took a shower and plans to go to town to see a movie; weather is getting warm. Parents' note on envelope back: 359 Wednesday May 1, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-354/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-99)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. Tad and company went swimming in the lake near camp. Says he expects to get around 20 days furlough. Ends with a story about a wild pig. Parents' note on envelope back: 102 Thursday Dec. 21, 1944 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-99/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-241)

Tad reporting back on the dinner with the newly met Italian family and, in return, Tad and friends bring them scarce items such as candy, sugar and cigarettes. Parents' note on envelope back: 243 Tuesday Sept. 4, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-241/

doc Letter from John Miyasaki To Mrs. Y. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-413)

Reassuring her that he is keeping an eye out for Tad and explaining why Tad may be unable to write; tells her Tad is not going overseas yet; thanks her for her Christmas present.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-413/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-264)

He is saving money for a watch when he gets home; hoping to get promoted to T/5 rank before coming home. Parents' note on envelope back: 266 Monday Oct. 15, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-264/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-126)

Tad and Shiro signed up for boxing trials, but weren't called up to spar. Parents' note on envelope back: 129 Friday Feb. 9, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-126/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-361)

Got back from Milan hearing Toscanini play; glad they are all moved in to their new place; bought his mom a bottle of Chanel N0. 5;got their packages and letters. Parents' note on envelope back: 363 Wednesday June 5, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-361/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-270)

Got 11 letters dating from September; assumes they have moved back to San Francisco by now; sends address for John Miyasaki. Parents' note on envelope back: 272 Tuesday Oct. 23, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-270/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-373)

Not doing much that day, but will be heading to Massa the next day; played some basketball and saw a movie. Parents' note on envelope back: 376 Friday July 5, 1946 Request for magazines and candy.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-373/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-71)

Parents' note on envelope back: 73 Monday Nov. 20, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-71/

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-535-161)

Tad went to church on Easter Sunday and talks about picnic and card-playing with friends; Tad did not receive previously requested candies and socks so he requested more candies. Parents' note on envelope back: 164 Tuesday April 10, 1945 request

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-161/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-12)

Tad mentions that he was put on kitchen duty again, but didn't mind since he was just waiting tables. Letter is written at 10:40 PM; earlier that day, Tad and his friends went to the movies and saw "Gypsy Wildcat." Says he was able to read To-chan's Japanese letter. The letter ends with Tad asking for …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-12/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-242)

Tad recounted watching prisoners butcher a euthanized horse and reflected on news reports about riots in New York and San Francisco and celebratory deaths of soldiers in Italy, after the war was ended; Tad requested magazines and socks. Parents' note on envelope back: 244 Tuesday Sept. 4, 1945 request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-242/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-83)

The company went to the rifle range that day and had a lot of fun. Tad asks his parents to send him his wool scarf. Parents' note on envelope back: 86 Monday Dec. 4, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-83/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-203)

Tad started teaching bugle class today and was free of K.P. and guard duty. Parents' note on envelope back: 205 Friday June 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-203/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-186)

Tad requested a cornet mouthpiece and some socks; Tad found a coincidence on a March 18th letter where his mother dreamed he was in France on the exact day he landed at Le Havre. Parents' note on envelope back: 188 Monday May 28 1945 request for mouthpiece

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-186/