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-535-84)

Tad got paid again, $2.05 less than last time. Soon, the company will learn to fire the 57mm cannon, which is the last weapon they'll learn to fire. The bivouac is scheduled for around 12/11-12/22, and then Tad will get to head home on furlough a few weeks after that. Tad thanks his parents for sending …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-84/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-348)

Went to the opera the night before; picked up a broken hospital bed from the junk yard and fixed it for his tent; got packages from them with cigarettes, magazines, candy, underwear, handkerchiefs. Parents' note on envelope back: 351 Monday April 15, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-348/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-392)

He and Ryo are going out on another trip to Castelnuovo di Monti, this should be their last trip; they went to a local festival in the town of Empoli. Parents' note on envelope back: 395 Friday Sept. 13, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-392/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-341)

Got another letter today, the mail is getting very regular; there will be a parade for Army Day on April 6, but he doesn't have to march; is taking over the duties of the Information and Education clerk so is very busy. Parents' note on envelope back: 344 Wednesday March 27, 19846

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-341/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-120)

Parents' note on envelope back: 123 Feb. 2, 1945 Friday

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-120/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-227)

Tad got his combat infantry badge and accompanied salary increase. Parents' note on envelope back: 229 Wednesday Aug 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-227/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-276)

Has been playing badminton; asks for a portrait of them with To-chan for a Christmas present; practices his coronet every day. Parents' note on envelope back: 278 Monday Oct. 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-276/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-330)

One of his tent mates brought him an alarm clock from Switzerland; will send more photos of Cortina; going to the movies tonight. Parents' note on envelope back: 333 Friday March 1, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-330/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-165)

Tad watched "None but the Lonely Heart"; Mail from home were delayed and Tad kept waiting for mail call and pay day. Parents' note on envelope back: 168 Monday April 16, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-165/

doc Postcard from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-412)

Letting them know he is in Amarillo, Texas. Written on top edge of postcard: Sept 7, 1944 (Thursday)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-412/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-106)

Written on New Year's Eve. Parents' note on envelope back: 109 Wednesday Jan 3, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-106/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-101)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. Tad and company had their first live ammunition combat drill, which was "a lot of fun." Parents' note on envelope back: 104 Tuesday Dec. 26, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-101/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-66)

Tad thanks his parents for sending cookies, gloves, and comics. Says he'd like a pair of pants for Christmas; "I won't ask you to buy me a boat this Christmas." Went to the movies with John Miyasaki to see "The Princess and the Pirate," which was "very funny" if you want a laugh, don't miss this …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-66/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-163)

Tad towed water all day yesterday for kitchen chore (K.P) and started training today; Tad hiked in the morning and attended grenade course in the afternoon; he saw Tak Yatabe, passed greetings to Tad's parent. Parents' note on envelope back: 166 Friday April 13, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-163/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-299)

Got the package with magazine and candy and the bottle of Tsuke monodies sending photos, some taken by Frank Miyako; thinks he will be home in February; ran the movie projector the night before. Parents' note on envelope back: 301 Tuesday Dec. 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-299/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-171)

Tad dug latrine holes, noted the warm weather and requested a couple pairs of underwear. Parents' note on envelope back: 174 Monday April 23, 1945 request

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-171/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-396)

He is not doing much because they are leaving soon; might got to Venice for a couple of days; is finding is hard to adjust to being called Sarg or Sergeant. Parents' note on envelope back: 399 Monday Sept. 30, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-396/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-326)

There was a write-up about the 442nd in the paper, her will send it to them; they have three movies scheduled for that night. Parents' note on envelope back: 329 Saturday Feb. 16, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-326/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-81)

Tad and company shot at radio-controlled planes with the 50 caliber machine gun that day; Tad shot a hole in a plane's wing. Parents' note on envelope back: 84 Friday Dec. 1, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-81/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-48)

Tad got his rifle medal; the letter includes a sketch. Tad has been promoted to acting corporal, so his peers refer to him as Corporal Ishida, but he's still actually a private. Parents' note on envelope back: (49) Thursday Oct 26, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-48/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-111)

Tad and company have been chopping down trees in the woods. The company's first sergeant said that they may ship out the following weekend (around January 13th). Parents' note on envelope back: 114 Wednesday Jan. 10, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-111/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-383)

Just returned from a trip but didn't find any bodies, but found a plane that crashed into a lake; they have a new lieutenant and he said they will be going home at the end of the month. Parents' note on envelope back: 386 Friday Aug 9, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-383/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-380)

Ryo (Uchida) came back and had found two bodies; is sending photos taken on Elba. Parents' note on envelope back: 383 Friday July 26, 1946 Request for magazines and candy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-380/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-89)

Parents' note on envelope back: 92 Saturday Dec. 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-89/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-197)

Tad reported mail delivery was back to normal and he talked with Bob (Yatabe) this morning. Parents' note on envelope back: 199 Thursday June 14, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-197/