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 (4309)

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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4309 items
Portrait of serviceperson (ddr-densho-1007-60)
img Portrait of serviceperson (ddr-densho-1007-60)
Scanned from negative
From Harry Furumoto
Inscription: "To my Darling Viola
Deepest Love, Howard"
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-60/
Portrait
img Portrait "to Tac-Kay" (ddr-densho-1007-613)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-613/
Soldiers marching (ddr-densho-1007-203)
img Soldiers marching (ddr-densho-1007-203)
Inscriptions on front and back.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-203/
Two in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-782)
img Two in front of tent (ddr-densho-1007-782)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-782/
Soldiers eating watermelon (ddr-densho-1007-435)
img Soldiers eating watermelon (ddr-densho-1007-435)
Negative.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-435/
Interview with Clarence Matsumura, part 2 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1609)
av Interview with Clarence Matsumura, part 2 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1609)
Matsumura discusses growing up in Wyoming, his mother's cooking, moving to Los Angeles in 1936, getting his radio license, Pearl Harbor, evacuation to Pomona and Heart Mountain, his attempts to join the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines, being drafted, his basic training in Fort Hood, TX, his deployment in Europe, and the Hollywood store …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1609/
Soldier peeking out of tent (ddr-densho-1007-865)
img Soldier peeking out of tent (ddr-densho-1007-865)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-865/
U.S. soldier leaning against car (ddr-densho-1007-354)
img U.S. soldier leaning against car (ddr-densho-1007-354)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-354/
The Story of the
doc The Story of the "No/No - No/Yes" Soldiers of the 1800th General Service Battalion (ddr-densho-1007-1380)
Written by Cedrick M. Shimo for The Color of Honor.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1380/
SBD dive bombers during Battle of Midway (ddr-densho-1007-85)
img SBD dive bombers during Battle of Midway (ddr-densho-1007-85)
Caption on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-85/
Officer and one other on stoop (ddr-densho-1007-603)
img Officer and one other on stoop (ddr-densho-1007-603)
Slide. Same men as ddr-densho-1007-601.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-603/
General Swing with Lt. General Eichelberger, Lt. Gen. Seizo Arisue and 1st Lt. Sadao Otake (ddr-densho-1007-273)
img General Swing with Lt. General Eichelberger, Lt. Gen. Seizo Arisue and 1st Lt. Sadao Otake (ddr-densho-1007-273)
Caption on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-273/
Balcony conversation between George Kanegai, Yosh Yamada, and Jimmie Matsumura (ddr-densho-1007-1604)
av Balcony conversation between George Kanegai, Yosh Yamada, and Jimmie Matsumura (ddr-densho-1007-1604)
George Kanegai, Yosh Yamada, and Jimmie Matsumura Matsumura have a conversation on a balcony, directed by Loni. The three talk about their service, the Z Plan, the 112th, and Yosh's deployment overseas before the war. Original title: 90, II LA #31, 7-24-85, Balcony: K. Akune, H. Akune, Kanegai, Yamada & Matsumura
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1604/
Group of soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-793)
img Group of soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-793)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-793/
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/
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/
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/
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/
Soldier in winter gear (ddr-densho-1007-777)
img Soldier in winter gear (ddr-densho-1007-777)
Slide.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-777/
Interrogation of Japanese officer (ddr-densho-1007-441)
img Interrogation of Japanese officer (ddr-densho-1007-441)
Negative. Man on the right is Jiro Arakaki. Includes notes on time, location, relevant officers and context.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-441/
Mr. Antonelli speaking on Memorial Day (ddr-densho-1007-583)
img Mr. Antonelli speaking on Memorial Day (ddr-densho-1007-583)
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-1007-583/
Letter to Dr. Roger G. Kennedy from Mrs. Kiku Hori Funabiki (ddr-densho-1007-1856)
doc Letter to Dr. Roger G. Kennedy from Mrs. Kiku Hori Funabiki (ddr-densho-1007-1856)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1856/
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/
Serviceperson in Burma with splint on broken leg (ddr-densho-1007-19)
img Serviceperson in Burma with splint on broken leg (ddr-densho-1007-19)
Caption on back
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-19/
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