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-535-277)

Moved back to service company and got assigned to a job as a clerk at the command post; living in a tent with three others; got the packages and letters they sent. Parents' note on envelope back: 279 Tuesday Oct 30, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-277/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-123)

Tad and company learned about land mines and fired mortars. Tad and friends went to the bowling alley that night. He says the food at the fort is "really good!" Parents' note on envelope back: 126 Tuesday Feb. 6, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-123/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-393)

Back from their last trip, but heading out again to the area around Genova; went to Florence to do some shopping but didn't buy anything; still not sure when they are going home, but it will be soon. Parents' note on envelope back: 396 Monday Sept. 16, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-393/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-115)

Parents' note on envelope back: 118 Monday Jan. 15, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-115/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-237)

Tad described his first days of school, including assisting doctors, attending lectures and learning to ride a horse. Parents' note on envelope back: 239 Friday Aug. 24, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-237/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-229)

Tad described how German prisoners are building tent improvements. Parents' note on envelope back: 231 Saturday Aug. 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-229/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-275)

Got their letters and the pair of gloves; asks them to write about San Francisco and the places they used to go; has been playing a lot of badminton and ping pong; got some bottles of coke at the PX and traded them for beer. Parents' note on envelope back: 277 Monday Oct. 29, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-275/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-9)

Mentions that there's a hurricane headed for Florida, but since camp is 300 miles away from the tip of FL, Tad isn't worried. Lessons are pretty easy for Tad since he learned a lot of the same stuff in ROTC. In camp, Tad says that "we have our serious moments and our funny ones" and that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-9/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-231)

Tad received a candy package again and went to Leghorn (Livorno). Parents' note on envelope back: 233 Tuesday Aug. 14, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-231/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-42)

Tad says he thinks they'll fire bazookas later in the week. He saw a movie called "Tall in the Saddle" featuring John Wayne. Parents' note on envelope back: (43) Friday Oct 20, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-42/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-80)

Tad thanks his parents for sending candy and asks them to send him a few towels. Tad and friends went to see "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" at the movies. Later that day, Shiro, John and Tad went to see another movie, "The Sign of the Cross." Parents' note on envelope back: 83 Thursday Nov. 30, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-80/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-182)

End of censorship so Tad reveled that he is in Novi, a small town 10 miles North of Genoa; Tad saw Yatabe and requested more candies. Parents' note on envelope back: 184 Thursday May 24, 1945 Request sent: magazines, cookies, 2 tablets, 2 packages envelopes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-182/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-70)

Tad had a medical examination; "I passed - shucks." They're planning on going to the movies that night to see "Laura." Parents' note on envelope back: 72 Monday Nov. 20, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-70/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-359)

Wishes his mother a belated Mother's Day; hopes their move goes well; is assigned to telephone duty today; the sun tan uniform fits him and he had the patches and stripes sewn on; they had his favorite dish for lunch, hamburger. Parents' note on envelope back: 361 Wednesday May 22, 1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-359/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-291)

First typed letter. Got three letters and a package; is running the movie projector now as well as his other jobs; expects Bob (Yatabe) should be home now and asks that they let him know when he does get home; asks for magazines and socks. Parents' note on envelope back: #293 Saturday Dec. 1, 1945 request …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-291/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-75)

That day was the company's second and final day on the mortar range. After that, the camp had a review where the general inspected around 1000 men. Includes a drawing of the medal Tad bought - it's the same as the one he lost. Parents' note on envelope back: 78 Saturday Nov. 25, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-75/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-114)

Parents' note on envelope back: 117 Saturday Jan. 13, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-114/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-162)

Tad practiced in rifle range, and mentioned an upcoming salary of $60 ($10 increase for overseas deployment, with further increase if he earns combat infantryman's badge. Parents' note on envelope back: 165 Wednesday April 11, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-162/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-100)

From Camp Blanding bivouac. Parents' note on envelope back: 103 Tuesday Dec. 26, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-100/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-151)

Tad unexpectedly receiving a pass from captain to deliver an item in New York and having a good time. Parents' note on envelope back: 154 Monday March 5, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-151/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-279)

He is being kept busy at his new office job; still planning to go to Switzerland; went to a show. Parents' note on envelope back: 281 Thursday Nov. 1, 1945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-279/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-262)

Got his pay; had dinner with his old company; a friend (Katsumi Kawaguchi) reenlisted and is headed to the Pacific theater after a furlough; requests more magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 264 Saturday Oct. 13, 1945 request for magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-262/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-17)

Parents' note on envelope back: (18) Monday Sept 24, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-17/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-129)

Tad and Shiro (and the rest of their company) are being shipped out. First, they'll go to the port of embarkation, which Tad thinks is next to New York. Tad tells his parents not to worry, that hell keep writing, and to pass on his thanks to Mr. Okamoto for fixing his watch. Parents' note on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-129/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-321)

Plans to go to Cortina near the Austrian border for a weeks vacation; its a winter resort so plans to learn some winter sports; going to the movies that night; requests magazines. Parents' note on envelope back: 324 Monday Feb. 11, 1946 Request for magazines and socks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-321/