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-535-187)

Tad went swimming in a fine lake and had cherries, and then requested for some magazines.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-187/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-154)

Tad revealed that he was in south of France, talked about weather and P.X., and hoping to get some souvenirs. Parents' note on envelope back: 157 Friday March 30, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-154/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-193)

Tad sent some snapshots of himself home and took pictures for Tak's company; Tad had an easy life in band and is going on a pass to the city of Brescia. Parents' note on envelope back: 195 Saturday June 9, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-193/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-296)

The Thanksgiving dinner the night before was good, turkey and all the dressings; will be getting a raise with his new rank; hasn't sent the watch yet. Parents' note on envelope back: #298 Saturday Dec. 1, 1945 Request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-296/

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-535-226)

Tad requested his olive drab uniform (shirt and trousers) as he may be getting a five-day pass soon and planed to have photo taken with the uniform with all his ribbon and combat badge. Parents' note on envelope back: 228 Tuesday Aug 7, 1945 request for pants and shirt

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-226/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-379)

He doesn't do much when he works in the office; the Lieutenant things he and Ryo (Uchida) are the only two with any intelligence, is recommending them for a promotion; Terry (Shimabukuro) should be back in San Francisco by now. Parents' note on envelope back: 382 Friday July 26, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-379/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-249)

Tad was confident that he would be home by next birthday, and noted that, as he gained more experience in veterinary training with horses and mules, he had grown fond of the horses, finding them "just like dogs". Parents' note on envelope back: 251 Friday Sept. 14, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-249/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-32)

Tad says they had their first go at the obstacle course in camp. Parents' note on envelope back: (33) Monday Oct. 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-32/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-168)

Tad describes training and hike through the countryside; Tad enclosed an April 11, 1945 Stars and Stripes (Mediterranean) newspaper clipping featuring victory of Nisei regiment. Parents' note on envelope back: 171 Thursday April 19, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-168/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-253)

Check-in letter from Italy: Tad had the shirt they sent altered; wondering why he hasn't gotten many letters lately; will write to some friends; asks for socks and magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 255 Sept 29, 1945 Saturday request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-253/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-3)

Another check-in from Memphis en route to Florida. Mentions that local Black populations were treated poorly and forced to sit in separate train cars. Parents' note on envelope back: (4) Saturday Sept 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-3/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-61)

Very short, written after a night drill (noted 1:30 AM, underlined twice). Parents' note on envelope back: 63 Monday Nov. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-61/