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
Jim H. Akutsu draft documents (ddr-densho-1007-1378)
doc Jim H. Akutsu draft documents (ddr-densho-1007-1378)
Akutsu was interned at the Puyallup camp.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1378/
Two soldiers on a wooden platform (ddr-densho-1007-282)
img Two soldiers on a wooden platform (ddr-densho-1007-282)
Addressed to Loni Ding/Vox.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-282/
Soldier with rifle (ddr-densho-1007-875)
img Soldier with rifle (ddr-densho-1007-875)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-875/
Two soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-395)
img Two soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-395)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-395/
Group drill near mountain (ddr-densho-1007-866)
img Group drill near mountain (ddr-densho-1007-866)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-866/
Three on stoop (ddr-densho-1007-599)
img Three on stoop (ddr-densho-1007-599)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-599/
img "Harry Fukuhara Aitape, New Guinea" (ddr-densho-1007-443)
Negative.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-443/
Naval Air sitting in road (ddr-densho-1007-321)
img Naval Air sitting in road (ddr-densho-1007-321)
Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-321/
Man in harness (ddr-densho-1007-367)
img Man in harness (ddr-densho-1007-367)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-367/
Interview with Arthur (Art) Morimitsu, part 1 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1749)
av Interview with Arthur (Art) Morimitsu, part 1 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1749)
Morimitsu discusses evacuation, his family's internment at Tule Lake, anti-Japanese sentiment after Pearl Harbor, being recruited by the military, and camp attitudes towards recruitment. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions in the background. Original title: 58B, II VFW #1, VFW - Art Morimitsu, Feb. 15, 1987. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1750/
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1749/
Draft resisters (ddr-densho-1007-381)
img Draft resisters (ddr-densho-1007-381)
Caption on back with several names.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-381/
Man on porch (ddr-densho-1007-612)
img Man on porch (ddr-densho-1007-612)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-612/
Rescuer and the rescued (ddr-densho-1007-405)
img Rescuer and the rescued (ddr-densho-1007-405)
From left to right: Eilchi Koyama, Guinji Akimoto, Fredrick Bailey and Makito Haha. Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-405/
Serviceperson speaking at podium (ddr-densho-1007-65)
img Serviceperson speaking at podium (ddr-densho-1007-65)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-65/
Interview with Gary and Grace Itano, part 3 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1807)
av Interview with Gary and Grace Itano, part 3 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1807)
Grace discusses moving to Orange County after her husband's death, her impressions of the DB Boys and her relationship with them, Gary discusses learning about the DB Boys, his father's plans for his children, how going to Japan helped broaden his worldview, and his father's philosophy. Interview starts at 0:55. Loni Ding can be heard asking …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1807/
Tenaru River during Guadalcanal campaign (ddr-densho-1007-80)
img Tenaru River during Guadalcanal campaign (ddr-densho-1007-80)
Caption on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-80/
Serviceperson and mule (ddr-densho-1007-100)
img Serviceperson and mule (ddr-densho-1007-100)
Inscription on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-100/
Tomosu Hirahara's gravestone (ddr-densho-1007-582)
img Tomosu Hirahara's gravestone (ddr-densho-1007-582)
Hirahara was a member of the 442nd. Memorial Day was on May 25 in 1987, but it's unclear if this was taken on that exact date. Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-582/
Background Information on Spark Masayuki Matsunaga (ddr-densho-1007-1842)
doc Background Information on Spark Masayuki Matsunaga (ddr-densho-1007-1842)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1842/
Marine boats in sea around Okinawa (ddr-densho-1007-113)
img Marine boats in sea around Okinawa (ddr-densho-1007-113)
Caption on back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-113/
Three soldiers talking (ddr-densho-1007-375)
img Three soldiers talking (ddr-densho-1007-375)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-375/
Soldiers with backpacks (ddr-densho-1007-693)
img Soldiers with backpacks (ddr-densho-1007-693)
Slide, created in September 1984. Image date unknown.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-693/
Interview with Yukio Kawamoto, part 6 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1550)
av Interview with Yukio Kawamoto, part 6 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1550)
Kawamoto discusses post-war occupation of Japan, work with the military tribunal & ATIS, working for the US government at home, and the decision to volunteer. Video starts at 0:50. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II NY #34, 6-85, Kawamoto.. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1551/
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1550/
Interview with Moose (John) Fujikawa, part 3 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1584)
av Interview with Moose (John) Fujikawa, part 3 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1584)
Fujikawa discusses the Japanese surrender, post-war Japan, returning from the war, and meeting his son upon return. Video starts at 0:29. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II LA #11, Fujikawa III, 7-23-85. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1585/
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1584/
Serviceperson looking for cover in Burma (ddr-densho-1007-20)
img Serviceperson looking for cover in Burma (ddr-densho-1007-20)
Caption on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-20/
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