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-535-293)

Went to Leghorn (Livorno) in the morning and bought a sleeping bag; got 4 letters from them today; asks them to send some canned goods. Parents' note on envelope back: #295 Saturday Dec. 1, 1945 request for canned goods

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-293/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-192)

Tad went to town but wasn't able to find a suitable gift from mother; Tad has not mailed out the bracelet yet. Parents' note on envelope back: 194 Friday June 8, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-192/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-76)

Tad and the men are learning how to fire a new machine gun: this one is 50 caliber as opposed to the old 30 caliber one. Tad says "it really is a big baby." Parents' note on envelope back: 79 Saturday Nov 25, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-76/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-288)

He had a good time in Switzerland, went horse-back riding, ice skating; saw the exiled Spanish royal family at their hotel. Parents' note on envelope back: 290 Tuesday Nov. 20, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-288/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-230)

Tad received a package and complimented "G.I. Joe" that he watched last night; Tad also explained that he was not treating the prisoners "nice" but rather fairly since he can't forget that they were shooting at them just months before. Parents' note on envelope back: 232 Monday Aug 13, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-230/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-156)

Tad did not get any mail, and talked about the weather and boredom. Parents' note on envelope back: 159 Thursday April 5, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-156/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-164)

Tad was on guard. Parents' note on envelope back: 167 Monday April 16, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-164/

doc Letter from John Miyasaki To Mrs. Y. Ishida (ddr-densho-535-414)

He and Tad are stationed near each other; since V-E day, he has been searching prisoners; feels some sympathy for the men who have families.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-414/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-95)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. As a squad leader, Tad has to wait for all of his men to eat before he can; "I'll write later. Food!" Parents' note on envelope back: 98 Monday Dec. 18, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-95/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-344)

Got more letters and packages from them; has the tea set all ready to mail out; saw an imported china set from Dresden that he might buy; Terry (Shimabukuro) went to Switzerland, he worked with Tak Yatabe and they took over from Mike Muraoka and Doc, and a boy of Utah, Ryo Uchida works there too. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-344/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-45)

Tad says to thank Kuri-san for the okashi and mame. Tad plans to go to Starke on Sunday and buy a cheap trumpet to "play around with." Parents' note on envelope back: 46 Monday Oct. 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-45/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-135)

It's snowy. Parents' note on envelope back: 138 Tuesday Feb. 20 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-135/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-224)

Tad shares details of his daily duties, lifestyle, and visits to the PX; Tad mentions that the Andrews Sisters are scheduled to perform at the USO and ends the letter with 'Fino Domani' (till tomorrow). Parents' note on envelope back: 226 Thursday Aug. 2, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-224/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-236)

Tad arrived at the cavalry outfit (6742 Remount Depot), expressed his appreciation to the new life and provided his detailed schedule. Parents' note on envelope back: 238 Monday Aug. 20, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-236/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-280)

Not as busy at work; his sergeant is going home and may come to visit Tad's parents; going to a "over 21" show tonight; wrote letters to Aunt Tomi and Fuji. Parents' note on envelope back: 282 Thursday Nov. 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-280/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-196)

Tad was in easy K.P. duty where he supervises prisoners to do the work; He offered to buy parents an Italian carpet and asked them to send a drawing of the kind they want. Parents' note on envelope back: 198 Thursday June 14, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-196/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-149)

Tad and friends saw Johnnie Long's orchestra in NYC. Tad and "the gang" plan to go to New York again soon. Parents' note on envelope back: 152 Monday March 5, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-149/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-319)

Is sending a photo and received the photos of them, Tochan and Tokie; wants to go to Rome for Christmas; went to a movie at Leghorn (Livorno). Parents' note on envelope back: 322 Tuesday Jan. 29, 1946 Request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-319/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-177)

Tad had a rainy evening and traded cigarettes and rations for eggs with Italian peddlers. Parents' note on envelope back: 179 Monday May 14, 1945 PM

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-177/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-218)

Tad guarded prisoners for K.P. and other chores; Tad even had the prisoners to carry his gun. Parents' note on envelope back: 220 Wednesday July 25, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-218/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-216)

Tad confirmed that the unit would either move to Pisa or Leghorn (Livorno); Tad received an old package and a lot letter from parents and friends. Parents' note on envelope back: 218 Saturday July 21, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-216/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-180)

Tad went to town and bought a camera, post cards, and Italian stamps. Parents' note on envelope back: 182 Saturday May 19, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-180/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-72)

Tad lost his medal, but he plans to buy a new one. Today was the company's last day with the machine guns. There was a mouse in Tad's hut, but he and John caught and drowned it ("quick and painless"). Parents' note on envelope back: 75 Wednesday Nov. 22, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-72/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-14)

Tad thanks his parents for sending cookies, saying "considering it's your first, it's very good." Parents' note on envelope back: (15) Thursday Sept 21, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-14/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-103)

Check-in letter from Camp Blanding, the first written in six days. When Tad's company got back from bivouac (six days ago), they were told to be ready to leave camp at any moment and weren't allowed to make phone calls or write letters. About half Tad's company was shipped off a day later, but not him; …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-103/