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 (4309)

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4309 items

img Jungle interrogation at table (ddr-densho-1007-439)

Negative. Duplicate of ddr-densho-1007-502.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-439/

av Interview with Paul Minerich, Tim Nomiyama, Masao Kataoka, and Kenjiro Hayakawa, part 4 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1801)

From left to right: Minerich, Nomiyama, Kataoka, Hayakawa. Nomiyama discusses waiting for an opportunity to take part in the war effort, joining company C at FortMcClellan in Alabama, wanting to be court martialed to have an opportunity to speak his mind, why he didn't want to serve in the Pacific, what he thought the war was …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1801/

av Harry Akune and Jim Ariyasu on balcony (ddr-densho-1007-1595)

Harry Akune and Jim Ariyasu talking to each other about their service. Video starts at 0:26. Original title: 81, II LA #22, 7-24-85, Bakery meeting, Harry Akune & Jim Ariyasu

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1595/

img William Kochiyama portrait (ddr-densho-1007-842)

Slide. To Mary.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-842/

img Couple posing outside (ddr-densho-1007-251)

Caption on back.
Possibly: Harry Iwasaki and his wife.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-251/

img Serviceperson outside tents (ddr-densho-1007-61)

Scanned from negative
Likely: Harry Furumoto
From Harry Furumoto

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-61/

av Interview with Hugh Nozawa, part 2 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1714)

Nozawa discusses the mistreatment of the Nisei during Roosevelt's visit to Fort Riley, a complaint he wrote to John J. McCloy afterwards, being punished for writing the letter without permission, the differences between Kibei and US-educated Nisei, growing up in Japan, being drafted while in Santa Monica, and being court martialed. Loni Ding can be heard …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1714/

img Serviceperson and civilian (ddr-densho-1007-49)

Scanned from negative

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-49/

img Soldier at table with clock (ddr-densho-1007-760)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-760/

img Man in chair in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-854)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-854/

img Man climbing pole (ddr-densho-1007-794)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-794/

img Shirtless servicepeople stationed at the Ledo Road (ddr-densho-1007-129)

Caption on back.
Area now known as "Stilwell Road" or "Stilwell Highway"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-129/

av Interview with Jimmie Matsumura, part 4 of 4; interview with Clarence Matsumura, part 1 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1608)

Jimmie Matsumura discusses his time teaching Japanese at the Pentagon and his work as a prosecutor for the Far East military tribunal. His interview ends at 17:23, at which time an interview with Clarence Matsumura begins. Clarence discusses growing up in Wyoming and his father's work as a railroad foreman. Video starts at 0:25. Loni Ding …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1608/

doc Hung Wai Ching oral interview transcript (ddr-densho-1007-1045)

Conducted by Eric Saul for the Presidio Army Museum. Chaplain Hung Wai Ching was the Corps Director of the Morale Committee during WWII.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1045/

img Officers on steps (ddr-densho-1007-288)

Bottom right is a First Sergeant.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-288/

av Interview with John Kaneko, part 3 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1761)

Kaneko discusses the reasons some Japanese Americans joined the military and his father's decision to bury or burn all their family's Japanese possessions. Audio only. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions. Seems to be the fourth part of the interview started in ddr-densho-1007-1759, but the third portion is missing. Original title: 407, John Kaneko IV, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1761/

img Group of soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-856)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-856/

av Interview with Harry and Ken Akune, part 2 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1590)

Ken is on the left, Harry on the right. The two discuss growing up as Nisei, anti-Japanese sentiment in the US, their relationship with their mother, the difference between Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans, Pearl Harbor, their time in internment at Merced and Amache, and their decision to volunteer for the military. Video starts at 0:28. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1590/