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

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/

img Serviceperson with bridge (ddr-densho-1007-202)

Maybe: Hakubun Nozawa.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-202/

img Takeo Takemoto and one other (ddr-densho-1007-713)

Slide, created in September 1984. Case reads "T. Matsui". Inscription on bottom.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-713/

img Marines at Japanese surrender (ddr-densho-1007-112)

Caption on back

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-112/

img Three relaxing outside (ddr-densho-1007-831)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-831/

img Serviceperson at wheel (ddr-densho-1007-171)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-171/

img Group of servicepeople at camp (ddr-densho-1007-198)

Captioned as "Gene and ?the boys'"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-198/

img Two service people standing on street (ddr-densho-1007-58)

Scanned from negative
From Harry Furumoto

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-58/

img Four soldiers reading map (ddr-densho-1007-788)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-788/

img Rows of tents (ddr-densho-1007-834)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-834/

img Soldier in doorway (ddr-densho-1007-826)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-826/

img Soldier portrait (ddr-densho-1007-755)

Slide. Tents in background.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-755/

img Soldiers marching (ddr-densho-1007-300)

Palm trees in background. Inscription on front reads "318036-1."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-300/

doc Booklet: With Hawaii's AJA Boys at Camp Shelby Mississippi (ddr-densho-1007-1849)

Pamphlet describing the training of the 442nd Infantry Combat Team at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1849/

img Soldier with flag in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-833)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-833/

img Servicepeople stationed at the Ledo Road (ddr-densho-1007-128)

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

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-128/

img Serviceperson with glasses (ddr-densho-1007-67)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-67/

img 7th Infantry Division during Battle of Okinawa (ddr-densho-1007-82)

Newspaper clippings/captions on back

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-82/

img Soldier outdoors (ddr-densho-1007-845)

Slide.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-845/

av Interview with Harry and Ken Akune, part 6 of 6; b-roll and balcony meeting (ddr-densho-1007-1594)

This tape exclusively features Ken Akune, who discusses radio propaganda he made with the Office of War Information, an argument he had with an executive officer, and his feelings on redress. Video starts at 0:24, interview with Ken ends at 11:33. B-roll of patio from 11:34-13:28; rest of tape is a meeting between Harry Akune and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1594/