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-535-181)

Tad played cornet in parade, met Yatabe again and requested for a couple of service caps. Parents' note on envelope back: 183 Tuesday May 22, 1945 Request sent: Candy, funny papers

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-181/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-266)

Bought an id bracelet at the PX; went into Pisa and came back on a horse and buggy; saw the movie "A Bell for Adano"; rode around in a Vespa. Parents' note on envelope back: 268 Monday Oct. 15, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-266/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-295)

They are having a Thanksgiving dinner that night; his promotion orders have not gone through yet, but soon; his photos should be ready soon. Parents' note on envelope back: #297 Saturday Dec. 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-295/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-335)

Drove to Carrara with friends for the day; glad his packages arrived okay; heard Aunts Tomi and Kiyo are expecting; asks for more cigarettes; hope to visit Rome soon. Parents' note on envelope back: 338 Thursday March 14, 1946 Request for magazines and candy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-335/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-199)

Tad described boredom in the band, sent a photo home and requested some magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 201 Tuesday June 19, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-199/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-316)

Weather has been cold; had turkey and "maze-gohan" for New Year's; imagines Market Street in San Francisco was crowded, he will home for New Year's next year. Parents' note on envelope back: 319 Wednesday Jan. 23, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-316/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-130)

Check-in letter from Washington, D.C. Tad went with Chester Fukuhara and Shiro. Tad says he sent a package home with some cigarettes for his father (he couldn't find the kind he smokes, so he sent home Luckies). Also includes a postcard from D.C. that has a picture of Tad's hotel (the Hotel Pennsylvania) on it. Parents' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-130/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-287)

Just got back from Switzerland and had 13 letters from them; bought a watch for himself and for To-chan; asks for an overseas cap and magazines; will send postcards from Switzerland soon. Parents' note on envelope back: 289 Tuesday Nov. 20, 1945 Request for overseas cap and magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-287/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-93)

Tad asks his parents to send money for train fare, around $70. Includes a drawing of Tad's pack for bivouac. Parents' note on envelope back: 96 Thursday Dec. 14, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-93/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-283)

Got packages from them including Christmas presents, and from Obisan and Ojisan (aunt and uncle) with a lot of Japanese food; he is busy with his office job which includes driving to Leghorn (Livorno) for the morning papers. Parents' note on envelope back: 285 Monday Nov 5, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-283/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-398)

He and Ryo are back from Venice, they had a good time he should be leaving the beginning of October. Parents' note on envelope back: 401 Wed. Oct. 9, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-398/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-15)

Tad says that he received a letter from his grandfather. Also mentions that he got a haircut that looks just like when Okamoto-san would cut his hair. Tad and "the gang" are planning to go to Jacksonville if they get the weekend off, and Tad is a bit worried about running out of money; he says …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-15/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-49)

Tad is now responsible for 12 men; being promoted to corporal means a good deal more responsibility. The day before, Tad's company had "lessons in jungle warfare," which he describes in detail. Includes a drawing of one of the obstacles they had to cross. Parents' note on envelope back: (50) Saturday Oct 28, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-49/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-343)

Got four letters and the package with the hair tonic; is going to Florence soon to pick up tea set; hopes they sent the cigarettes because he wants to buy the dinner set before he leaves. Parents' note on envelope back: 346 Monday April 1, 1946 Request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-343/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-35)

Tad mentions that he got a letter from Aunt Tomi. The night before, he went to see the movie "Marriage is a Private Affair." Tad and his company fired their rifles for the first time, which he describes in detail. Includes a few drawings of the firing range. Ends with another funny story about Ted Matsushima. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-35/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-362)

Thinking of going to the military cemetery for memorial day with Ryo (Uchida); Ryo is working the newspaper by himself, so Tad is helping write some articles; tell them not to believe what they hear about the 442nd coming come. Parents' note on envelope back: 364 Friday June 7,1946 Request for magazines and cigarettes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-362/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-132)

Parents' note on envelope back: 135 Thursday Feb 15, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-132/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-104)

Parents' note on envelope back: 107 Wednesday Jan 3, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-104/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-353)

Going to a movie tonight; got two letters from them; he and Terry (Shimabukuro) play badminton every night; missing seeing movies in a regular theater. Parents' note on envelope back: 356 Monday April 29, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-353/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-109)

Tad thinks John Miyasaki is in Maryland now, but he isn't sure. Life at camp "sure is lazy" compared to before (they get up late - 7 a.m.). Parents' note on envelope back: 112 Saturday Jan. 6, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-109/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-247)

Tad received a package, complained not getting paid until Monday and requested for some Magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 248 Saturday Sept 8, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-247/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-352)

A second letter on Easter Sunday; very quiet in camp; would like to go to Rome, but might not be able to take time off; Terry (Shimabukuro) got a letter from Mike Masaoka saying that the regiment might be deactivated and sent home in June, but doesn't know for sure. Parents' note on envelope back: 355 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-352/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-136)

Tad is in the station hospital with a slight fever and a sore throat. He says "it's been just grand." He's not doing much, just reading and resting. Shiro tried to call out sick to avoid the day's hike, but the doctor sent him off. Tad says he's "leading the life of Riley." Parents' note on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-136/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-333)

Glad to hear they saw Bob (Yatabe) and he's doing well; pay was late; will send more photos from Coritina; hopes To-chan can get a car before he comes home. Parents' note on envelope back: 336 Wednesday March 13, 1946 Request for socks and magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-333/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-214)

Tad received a letter from Tomi from which he recounted the story of Hiro is being chased by dogs; Tad noted to send more stamps home because his father was fond of them and requested additional magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 216 Monday July 16, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-214/