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 (4287)

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4287 items

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-166)

Nisei regiment hits front page, and Tad sent some Italian Liras home. Parents' note on envelope back: 169 Tuesday April 17, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-166/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-87)

Tad and company learned how to fire the 57mm cannon; the letter includes a drawing. Tad says that he's going to class three nights a week for an hour at a time; the classes are for squad leaders and "those who are considered as future non-commissioned officer material." Says he hopes his parents are doing alright …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-87/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-304)

Went to the dentist for a checkup; going horseback riding the next Sunday; sending the watch, clock, ashtray and bracelet; sent books and pamphlets already. Parents' note on envelope back: 307 Thursday Jan 3, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-304/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-185)

Tad played band to wake people up; Tad described a war prison of 80,000 around and received 5 wrong letters from May 1st - 5th. Parents' note on envelope back: 187 Monday May 28, 1945 request for candy and socks. sent candy, magazines, socks 1 pair.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-185/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-102)

Tad is back in camp. His company and others have been put on alert; the German forces are pushing the US Army back in France and there's a chance Tad will be called overseas. Tad says that if they do end up leaving, they'll head to their port of embarkation next week. There's a chance Tad …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-102/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-140)

Two letters: one check-in from Tad to his parents, one letter to Tad from Ted Matsushima. In the first letter, Tad thanks his parents for sending candy for Valentine's Day, mentions measles is going around camp, and asks for $25. Ted's letter is more thorough: he scolds Tad for not telling him where he was, says …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-140/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-328)

Got eight letters from them; there is a new clerk so he doesn't have to cover the clerk's job, but has been busy doing inventory; will send more photos of his trip to Cortina; requests magazines and candy. Parents' note on envelope back: 331 Monday Feb. 25, 1946 Request for magazines and candy.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-328/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-209)

Tad explained why he did not write: saw a USO Show with Frank Sinatra and Phil Silvers and another visit to carnival; Tad received package and had an Italian lady alter the cap. Parents' note on envelope back: 211 Saturday July 7, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-209/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-20)

Check-in letter from Camp Blanding, written on a Sunday. Tad asks for heavy wool socks. Says that he plans to go see "Kismet" tonight. Mentions that he went to church that morning. Parents' note on envelope back: (21) Wednesday Sept 27, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-20/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-350)

Went to Florence for the night, had an Italian dinner, hitchhiked there and back; got two letters and package. Parents' note on envelope back: 353 Tuesday April 23, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-350/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-315)

He received two packages with socks, magazines and candy; mail is delayed because of bad weather; they are having a pig cooked Hawaiian style for New Year's; assumes they have seen John since he came home. Parents' note on envelope back: 318 Wednesday Jan. 23, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-315/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-305)

Went horseback riding with seven others that morning; went to Florence the day before; going to a movie that night in Leghorn (Livorno);the watch and other gifts are packed and ready to ship. Parents' note on envelope back: 308 Thursday Jan 3, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-305/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-334)

Weather is getting better; the second battalion of the regiment was disbanded and the men transferred; is sending more photos. Parents' note on envelope back: 337 Wednesday March 13, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-334/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-211)

Tad received the requested items; Tad said that hat was perfect and the candies and chocolates were enjoyed by everyone; Tad includes a funny saying that after payday his wallet is "nice and fat again," but by the end of the month, "... the wallet will get thin and the stomach will stick out again...". Parents' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-211/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-30)

Tad says he saw Kato Kawaguchi and that he heard Henry Fukui is in camp; Tad plans to see him when he gets a chance. Parents' note on envelope back: (31) Friday Oct 6, 1955 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-30/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-208)

Tad went to class and received permission to go to Milan tomorrow; Tad asks about his family's well-being and was sending home two pairs of size 8 1/2 silk stockings that were obtained from the Germans. Parents' note on envelope back: 210 Saturday July 7, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-208/

doc Letter from Pierce-Rodolph Storage Co to Yoshio Ishida (ddr-densho-535-405)

Receipts for shipment of crate and sewing machine to Yoshio Ishida. Written on back of envelope: Hirakara Express 474 West 2nd South

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-405/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-206)

Tad received ETO ribbon and was excited for the coming combat badge, meaning a $10 pay raise; Tad requested for socks and more candies. Parents' note on envelope back: 208 Monday July 2, 1945 request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-206/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-79)

Written on a Saturday - Tad did a solo trip to Jacksonville and mailed his parents a present ("no - I won't tell you what it is"). The locals referred to him as sergeant, which Tad thought was funny. Tad tried to buy a trumpet but couldn't find one that was cheap enough. Parents' note on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-79/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-377)

He and Ryo (Uchida) went to Florence and went to a wax museum; Ryo was going out on a trip while he stays at the office; the Lieutenant is impressed with how many bodies they have brought back; he saw in the paper that the 442nd got a big welcome home. Parents' note on envelope back: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-377/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-13)

Written throughout Sunday, Tad's off day. Says he went to the movies and saw "Greenwich Village." Back of letter has a drawing of Florida that shows the camp's location. Parents' note on envelope back: (14) Wednesday Sept. 20, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-13/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-223)

Tad went swimming, confirmed that his unit will return in February, and requested some hair tonic. Parents' note on envelope back: 225 Tuesday July 31, 1945 request for hair tonic

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-223/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-205)

Tad heard rumor that they would go home in 6 months, and requested some candy and magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 207 Saturday June 30, 1945 request for magazine and candy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-205/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-394)

Back from their trip to Genova; glad to hear Aunt Tomi's baby is okay; he an Ryo visited their old Captain from the Service company and met his family; glad to hear they are working on getting their citizenship papers; is sending some items home. Parents' note on envelope back: 397 Tuesday Sept. 24, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-394/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-204)

Tad moved to Lecco and received the mouthpiece. Parents' note on envelope back: 206 Saturday June 30, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-204/