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-535-334)

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/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-29)

Tad says the GI glasses he received work well. His group learned how to hold their rifle, but they haven't shot it yet. Includes a story about how Tad and the other Japanese soldiers had to show the camp cooks how to properly cook rice. At first, "the cooks cooked it like all Caucasians do - …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-29/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-286)

Is heading for Switzerland traveling with another man from the outfit; will try to buy a watch while there and maybe get something for them as well; they will be gone for about 11 days. Parents' note on envelope back: 288 Thursday Nov. 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-286/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-41)

Tad says "I hope Fuji didn't kick you too hard" and asks how Fuji and Hiro (who seem to be family visiting Tad's parents) are doing. Mentions that he'll be getting a medal for his skill with a rifle. Earlier that day, Tad saw a movie called "The Battle of Russia" about Russian history from 1242-1943. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-41/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-146)

Tad and Chester saw "A Song To Remember" at the movies. Parents' note on envelope back: 149 Wednesday Feb 28, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-146/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-239)

Written just after the end of WWII, Tad noted the celebratory mood and expressed hope he will be home quicker. Parents' note on envelope back: 241 Tuesday Sept. 4, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-239/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-159)

Tad shared news from an officer that parents of soldiers may be able to obtain citizenship sooner, as a result of the positive reputation of the combat team. Parents' note on envelope back: 163 Monday April 9, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-159/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-36)

Tad got paid that day ("Boy, oh boy, oh boy!"). Mentions that he saved a few shells from the shooting range for Freddy and Tommy. Tad also says he got a letter from Frank Okazaki (sp?). Parents' note on envelope back: (37) Oct. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-36/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-38)

Another day at the firing range. Tad asks his parents to send a photo of themselves. On payday, some of the soldiers were disappointed at how little they were paid since some of their pay went to war bonds; Tad didn't purchase bonds and is grateful to have the extra cash. Parents' note on envelope back: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-38/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-19)

Tad had a chemical warfare class and got to smell some gases: "boy, it sure stinks!" The soldiers also learned how to use their gas masks. Tad mentions that they all did a trial in a gas chamber where they had to put their masks on the second they detected gas in the room: "I never …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-19/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-285)

Is leaving for a vacation in Switzerland the next day, hope to buy a watch there; had rice with nori with his tent-mates; the gloves they sent are useful because his early morning drives to Leghorn (Livorno) are cold; asks for more magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 287 Thursday Nov. 8, 1945 Request for magazines.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-285/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-366)

He and Ryo are moving to Castelfiorentino outside Florence to start working for the Grave Registration Unit; he told Terry (Shimabukuro) that he could use their address for mail so when he gets stateside he will come by to pick it up. Parents' note on envelope back: 369 Thursday June 20, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-366/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-355)

He is going to be part of a group interview on the Army Radio station for a show called "the Outlook on Germany" where they have G.I.s from different units and he is representing the 442nd;they were issued their summer fatigues called Sun Tans; asks them to send a Sun Tan shirt. Parents' note on envelope …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-355/