1. Topics

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)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
298th/299th Infantry, Charles H. Bonesteel, Buddhahead, Fighting for Tomorrow: Japanese Americans in America's Wars (exhibition), Frank "Foo" Fujita, GI Bill, Hawaii Territorial Guard, Hood River incident, Japanese American World War II military service memorials, Japanese Americans in military during World War II, Samuel Wilder King, Kotonk, Ben Kuroki, Spark Matsunaga, None, Rescue of the Lost Battalion, Revolution of 1954, Shigeo Yoshida

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4287 items
Douglas SPD Dauntless naval scout plane (ddr-densho-1007-121)
img Douglas SPD Dauntless naval scout plane (ddr-densho-1007-121)
Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-121/
Interview with Shigeo Yamada, part 1 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1707)
av Interview with Shigeo Yamada, part 1 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1707)
Yamada discusses attending Keio University, being drafted into the Japanese navy, serving on the cruiser Yahagi, a "suicide mission" to occupied Okinawa, and learning Japanese in America as a child. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II JA #46, Shigeo Yamada, Sun. Feb. 2. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1708/
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1707/
Interview with George Nakamura, part 1 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1679)
av Interview with George Nakamura, part 1 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1679)
Nakamura discusses moving to Japan in 1955, growing up in Arroyo Grande, CA, evacuation, his time at Tulare and Gila River, volunteering for the military from camp, and camp attitudes toward volunteering. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II JA #13, George Nakamura, Fri. Jan. 31. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1680/
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1679/
Two in helmets (ddr-densho-1007-496)
img Two in helmets (ddr-densho-1007-496)
Negative. Labeled "Ijima/Kochiyama."
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-496/
Three soldiers in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-853)
img Three soldiers in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-853)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-853/
Smiling soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-712)
img Smiling soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-712)
Slide, created in September 1984. Case reads "T. Matsui". Duplicate of ddr-densho-1007-699.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-712/
General Yoshijiro Umezu signing at surrender ceremonies aboard Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay (ddr-densho-1007-88)
img General Yoshijiro Umezu signing at surrender ceremonies aboard Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay (ddr-densho-1007-88)
Newspaper clippings/captions on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-88/
Man relaxing on log (ddr-densho-1007-861)
img Man relaxing on log (ddr-densho-1007-861)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-861/
Soldiers in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1007-363)
img Soldiers in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1007-363)
The men are part of the Tenth Army. Taken during the fighting for Okinawa. Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-363/
Group of soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-830)
img Group of soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-830)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-830/
Interview with Hugh Nozawa, part 1 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1713)
av Interview with Hugh Nozawa, part 1 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1713)
Nozawa discusses being born in Santa Monica, attending high school in Japan, being drafted, being court-martialed for refusing to complete training, recently getting honorable discharge, the discrimination he and other Nisei faced in the army, and President Roosevelt's visit to Fort Riley. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 220, II …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1713/
Herbert Miyasaki (ddr-densho-1007-388)
img Herbert Miyasaki (ddr-densho-1007-388)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-388/
Soldier portrait (ddr-densho-1007-867)
img Soldier portrait (ddr-densho-1007-867)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-867/
Soldier portrait (ddr-densho-1007-688)
img Soldier portrait (ddr-densho-1007-688)
Slide, created in September 1984. Image date unknown.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-688/
Portrait of serviceperson (ddr-densho-1007-72)
img Portrait of serviceperson (ddr-densho-1007-72)
Inscription on front
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-72/
Man climbing pole (ddr-densho-1007-859)
img Man climbing pole (ddr-densho-1007-859)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-859/
Goro Sumida interviewed by Eric Saul, part 2 of 2 (ddr-densho-1007-1766)
av Goro Sumida interviewed by Eric Saul, part 2 of 2 (ddr-densho-1007-1766)
Sumida discusses his family, visiting his family at Rohwer, his impressions of camp, his time in basic training, war stories from Germany, the awards he received after the war, and whether he considers himself lucky. This interview was not conducted specifically for Loni Ding's work, rather for a book the Presidio was putting together. Partial transcript …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1766/
70th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-53)
doc 70th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-53)
The Japanese Congregational Church's 70th Anniversary book traces the history of JCC within the context of national and local events.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-53/
Soldier outdoors (ddr-densho-1007-845)
img Soldier outdoors (ddr-densho-1007-845)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-845/
Jungle interrogation at table (ddr-densho-1007-439)
img Jungle interrogation at table (ddr-densho-1007-439)
Negative. Duplicate of ddr-densho-1007-502.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-439/
Interview with Paul Minerich, Tim Nomiyama, Masao Kataoka, and Kenjiro Hayakawa, part 4 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1801)
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/
Harry Akune and Jim Ariyasu on balcony (ddr-densho-1007-1595)
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/
William Kochiyama portrait (ddr-densho-1007-842)
img William Kochiyama portrait (ddr-densho-1007-842)
Slide. To Mary.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-842/
Interview with Hugh Nozawa, part 2 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1714)
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/
Serviceperson outside tents (ddr-densho-1007-61)
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/
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