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-535-305)

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 Postcard to Mrs. & Mrs. Y. Ishida from John Miyasaki (ddr-densho-535-409)

Change of address form

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-409/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-121)

Tad got paid: "my wallet is fat again." The company went to the firing range that day. Later, Tad and Shiro saw "This Man's Navy", which was "a good typical [Wallace] Beery show." Parents' note on envelope back: 124 Saturday Feb 3, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-121/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-97)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. Tad describes a drill his squad did the night before. Parents' note on envelope back: 100 Monday Dec. 18, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-97/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-88)

Parents' note on envelope back: 91 Saturday Dec. 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-88/

doc Letter from Tad Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. T. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-419)

V-Mail sketch of Tad

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-419/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-258)

Talks about selling cigarettes to Italians to supplement Army pay. Family tagged this letter with a sticky note "selling cigarettes". Expects to move to Pisa soon; because the 442nd has priority, he will go home with the regiment when they go; asks for lighter fluid and magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 260 Saturday Sept. 29, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-258/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-58)

Tad and John Miyasaki went to Silver Springs that day, which was "a swell trip". Includes stamps for To-chan from John. Parents' note on envelope back: 60 Wednesday Nov. 8, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-58/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-11)

Check-in letter from Camp Blanding, written in four parts throughout the day. Tad asks his parents to send him a book of his on zoology; he says "word got around that I'm a educated character on insects" and that his fellow campers ask him a lot of questions about bugs and animals. Parents' note on envelope …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-11/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-332)

Got three letters today, but packages are not coming; he is done showing training films so will be less busy. Parents' note on envelope back: 335 Tuesday March 12, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-332/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-329)

Has been very busy lately; the captain complimented his work on the inventory; He got a trumpet. Parents' note on envelope back: 332 Thursday Feb. 28, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-329/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-250)

Tad noted the movies were old American films dubbed in Italian; As he was writing, he was covering his new badge with cellophane. Parents' note on envelope back: 252 Thursday Sept. 20, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-250/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-25)

Tad led a simulated battle with his squad and won. Says that his cabin "looks like a fort" since his bunkmates are cleaning their machine gun; the letter includes a drawing of the gun. Parents' note on envelope back: (26) Tuesday Oct 3, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-25/