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-535-219)

Tad was on the move and finally near Pisa and Leghorn (Livorno); The unit was guarding Prisoners here; Tad described a 70-mile hitchhiking trip to Florence on 16th; Tad was assigned to help supply sergeant. Parents' note on envelope back: 221 Thursday July 26, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-219/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-172)

Tad performed police detail which allows him to miss a long hike, and talked about his evening routine of getting coffee at Red Cross and watching movie. Parents' note on envelope back: 175 Wednesday April 25, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-172/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-369)

His place in Castelfiorentino is really nice; he and Ryo (Uchida) are going to the island of Elba to look for a missing flyer soon; the group is very military rank conscious and they eat at a separate table from the private. Parents' note on envelope back: 372 Monday June 24, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-369/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-74)

Tad went to the dentist and got three fillings. Mentions that Kawaguchi went to Topaz. Tad's on leave seven weeks from the date the letter is written. Today was the company's first day firing mortars; the letter includes a drawing of Tad and a mortar. Parents' note on envelope back: 77 Friday Nov. 24, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-74/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-194)

Tad attended an USO show and planned to send more photos home after they are developed. Parents' note on envelope back: 196 Monday June 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-194/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-31)

Tad says that he read in the Pacific Citizen that PFC Takeshi Yatabe had been hurt; Tad says that he hopes Takeshi's parents aren't too worried. Tad tried to meet up with Hank (Henry) Fukui but they missed one another. The letter is written four weeks after Tad's arrival to camp. Tad says he'll be back …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-31/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-98)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. Sent halfway through the trip. Parents' note on envelope back: 101 Thursday Dec. 21, 1944 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-98/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-284)

He is very busy at work, filling in for the men who have gone home already; might go to Florence to watch a football game; the post office is filled with Christmas packages. Written on back of envelope by parents" 286 Thursday Nov. 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-284/

doc Letter from Tak Kanazawa to Mr. & Mrs. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-415)

Describing his training and thanking them for all they are doing for Tokie (Kanazawa)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-415/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-144)

Tad and friends saw "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"?: it was "a very good movie." Tad mentions that he might have the chance to take some college courses, but is going to wait and see if he's sent overseas. Parents' note on envelope back: 147 Wednesday Feb 28, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-144/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-119)

Tad and Shiro saw "Roughly Speaking" at the movies; it was "a nice picture." So far, Tad has been "running around having a nice time" at Fort Meade. Says the living quarters are very nice, just like a college campus. Tad and company are living in the fort itself, not in the camp. The weather is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-119/

doc V-mail from John Miyasaki to Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-401)

V-Mail Easter greeting from John Miyasaki.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-401/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-142)

Tad asks how Mr. Schemp is doing. Parents' note on envelope back: 145 Monday Feb. 26, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-142/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-278)

Still waiting for order to return to service company; got 4 cans of lighter fluid at the PX so doesn't need them to send; practiced shooting with his pistol; met Shig Imai, but hasn't bumped into any other friends. Parents' note on envelope back: 280 Wednesday Oct. 31, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-278/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-8)

Tad and Ted Matsushima are squad leaders for drills. Tad mentions that the drills make him hungry; says he "felt like a horse during supper. Parents' note on envelope back: (9) Sept 15, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-8/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-10)

Asks that his parents tell To-chan to send him a letter, but not to use difficult words, since Tad's Japanese is rusty. Tad says he wrote to Frank, Bill and Paul. Describes the first hike of training and says there are plans to swim Saturday; the lake at camp is "a little bigger than Lake Merced." …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-10/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-122)

Tad and company learned about the German soldiers and their equipment. Parents' note on envelope back: 125 Monday Feb. 5, 1945 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-122/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-7)

Includes a request for clothes hangers. Mentions that camp is large enough that it'd take a day to walk from one end to the other. Tad calls himself a "busy little man." Parents' note on envelope back: (8) Thursday Sept 14, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-7/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-176)

Tad describes spending a pleasant morning with John and getting a haircut, Tad was reassigned to company for the coming battle. Parents' note on envelope back: 178 Thursday May 3, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-176/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-356)

He did the radio program, was nervous in the beginning but it turned out okay; heard they are moving to Bob (Yatabe)'s place soon, will send mail there. Written on back of envelope 359 Monday May 6, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-356/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-238)

Tad visited an Italian family in Grosseto where the father is a veterinarian; Tad found classes easy but noted other students are slow. Parents' note on envelope back: 240 Saturday Sept. 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-238/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-34)

Tad says he didn't request a pass for this weekend: "...I didn't feel like going. It's just like going to a circus. Once you go, you're satisfied for quite awhile." Parents' note on envelope back: (35) Thursday Oct. 12, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-34/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-221)

Tad described an amusing daily routing of supervising prisoners, noting that he appointed an English-speaking foreman gives him a formal salute; Tad also received an Ike jacket. Parents' note on envelope back: 223 Monday July 30, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-221/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-322)

Just got back from trip because they had motor trouble and had to wait to get it repaired; when he got back there were 19 letters and package from them; glad they saw Bob (Yatabe). Parents' note on envelope back: 325 Monday Feb. 11, 1946 Request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-322/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-46)

Tad is sending a stamp that was sent from a Nisei soldier in France; he thinks To-chan might want it. He's also sending back a "dough boys hand book" with pictures of army life. Tad got a pass for the weekend, so he's heading to Starke. Earlier that day, Tad shot bazookas at the range. Parents' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-46/