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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

4131 items

doc V-mail from Robert Yatabe to Mrs. K (Tomi) Ishida (ddr-densho-535-408)

Tells her that he is in Italy now and has visited Naples; the ride across on the ship was fine for him, didn't get seasick; heard from Misao that she is going back to work; he is excited to become a dad soon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-408/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-225)

Tad had a busy day: traveled to Lucca and Pisa, visited the Leaning Tower in Pisa, bought some stamps, went to the USO show that night and received packages with stationary, candies, cookies and socks. Tad mailed (separately) his portrait drawn by an local artist at the Red Cross club. Parents' note on envelope back: 227 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-225/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-62)

Tad's friend Ted Matsushima left camp the day before. Tad describes a battle exercise from earlier that day. Also mentions that he's started going to separate classes at the Non-Commissioned Officer school, which will give him a better chance of a promotion after finishing basic training. Parents' note on envelope back: 64 Monday Nov. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-62/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-259)

Still waiting for letters from them, went target shooting with a friend. Parents' note on envelope back: 261 Saturday Oct. 13, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-259/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-40)

Tad received photos from his parents. Asks them to send him a sweatshirt. Parents' note on envelope back: (41) Tuesday Oct. 17, 1944 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-40/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-390)

He and Ryo went out on a trip together to the area that Tad had been at the beginning of his tour; found three bodies; asks them to look up in his diary when he was in Publican, they took pictures there. Parents' note on envelope back: 393 Thursday Sept 5, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-390/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-357)

Got a packages and letters from them; surprised the To-chan plans to buy him a car, but it would be useful when he gets home; John's (Miyasaki) sister (Tsugiko Miyasaki) got married to Henry Fujita; sending a photo that John (Miyasaki) took of him. Parents' note on envelope back: Monday May 13, 1946 Request for magazines …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-357/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-55)

Tad had field exercises that day and had to call an ambulance when one of the men injured themselves. The night before, the company did night drills. Tad got paid again, $43.60 in total. Parents' note on envelope back: (57) Saturday Nov. 4, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-55/

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/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-118)

Check-in letter from New York City. Tad and Shiro are in town all weekend, staying at the Times Square Hotel. That night, they saw Artie Shaw and his orchestra. As for the city, Tad "never saw anything like it." Letter written at 2 a.m., but Tad says ?it's just like 6:00 p.m. right now.? Parents' note …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-118/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-113)

Mentions that Noboru Hanyu may be joining Tad's company. Tad's having some trouble writing: "My pen don't seem to work very good tonight so I'll quite [sic] even though it is a feeble excuse" Parents' note on envelope back: 116 Friday Jan. 12, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-113/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-202)

Tad went to Lecco, rowed a boat and would start teaching bugle. Parents' note on envelope back: 204 Friday June 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-202/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-16)

Tad says they'll start training with live grenades soon. Parents' note on envelope back: (17) Saturday Sept 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-16/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-297)

Pulled Charge of Quarters extra duty tonight; asks them to send addresses of friends since many have moved; was not surprised that Paul married a Caucasian; is using stationary with the 442nd emblem on it. Parents' note on envelope back: 299 Thursday Dec. 6, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-297/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-327)

Writing from Cortina on his vacation; learning to ski and ice skate; is staying with Terry Shimabukuro; plans to stay in Venice on the way back. Parents' note on envelope back: 330 Saturday Feb. 23, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-327/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-169)

Tad recounts reuniting with Tak, learning of President Roosevelt's death, and sending pre-war Francs home. Parents' note on envelope back: 172 Saturday April 21, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-169/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-86)

Tad, Shiro and John went to the Service Club that day and then saw "Together Again" at the movies. Tad says that he meant to keep his parents' Christmas present a secret, but the photos he was going to send won't be ready until he's on bivouac, so he won't be able to send them until …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-86/