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

img United States and Japanese soldiers looking at confiscated equipment (ddr-densho-299-2)

Caption on reverse: "More / confiscated / and captured / equipment."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-2/

img Japanese forces signing the surrender treaty (ddr-densho-299-97)

Caption: "General Douglas MacArthur puts his signature on the document."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-97/

img Koreans welcoming American troops (ddr-densho-299-108)

Caption: "In Korea, the populace await the arrival of American troops at the end of the war."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-108/

img A Japanese officer after surrender (ddr-densho-299-4)

Caption on reverse: "Officer in / charge of one / detachment of / returning soldiers."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-4/

img Japanese forces signing the surrender treaty (ddr-densho-299-98)

Caption: "Russia is represented by General Derevyanko."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-98/

img General MacArthur and Maj. Gen. Mueller waiting for the arrival of Secretary Royall (ddr-densho-299-36)

Caption on reverse: "FEC-49-799. 1 Feb 49 / General MacArthur awaits arrival of / Secretary Royall in Tokyo, Japan: / General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, / Supreme Commander Allied Powers, awaits / the arrival of Secretary of the Army / Kenneth C. Royall at Haneda Air Base, / Tokyo, Japan. With General MacArthur is / …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-36/

img Japanese forces signing the surrender treaty (ddr-densho-299-96)

Caption: "Aboard the USS Missouri, the victors and the vanquished sign the historic / surrender document."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-96/

img Japanese surrender delegation (ddr-densho-299-95)

Caption: "Japanese delegation boards the USS Missouri to sign the surrender documents."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-95/

img General MacArthur and General Wainwright (ddr-densho-299-90)

Caption: "MacArthur greets Gen Wainwight [sic] after his release / From the Japanese P.O.W. Camp in Bataan."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-90/

img Photo of Japanese Army artist's painting of the Death March to Bataan (ddr-densho-299-228)

Caption: "Painting showing the Allied troops captured in Corregidor beginning the 'Death March to Bataan.'" Ted Akimoto noted that "during the war many large paintings were made by Japanese Army artists. Some paintings were 8 feet long. These paintings were displayed in public places in the lands that they had conquered such as Manchuria, and parts …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-228/

img Japanese soldiers returning after surrender (ddr-densho-299-3)

Caption on reverse: "Soldiers / returning after / surrender."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-3/

img Portrait of a man (ddr-densho-307-1)

"David K. Seto" noted on reverse

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-307-1/

img Military portrait of a man (ddr-densho-307-2)

"Joseph T. Seto" noted on reverse

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-307-2/

img Military portrait of a man (ddr-densho-307-5)

"Hugh Y. Seto" noted on reverse

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-307-5/

img Military portrait of a man (ddr-densho-307-4)

Paul T. Seto noted on reverse

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-307-4/

img Military portrait of a man (ddr-densho-307-3)

"Matthew M. Seto" noted on reverse

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-307-3/

doc Thank you letter sent to T.K. Pharmacy from the American Legion (ddr-densho-319-590)

A letter from the American Legion Wallace Simpson Post No. 29 to T.K. Pharmacy thanking them for donating a case of soda.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-319-590/

img Servicemen (ddr-densho-321-1068)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-321-1068/

img Nisei riding bicycles (ddr-densho-325-106)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-106/

img Nisei soldier (ddr-densho-325-89)

Sumito Horiuchi

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-89/

img Soldiers (ddr-densho-325-126)

Sumito Horiuchi (middle) with two unknown soldiers. Written on the back of the photograph is "1943 Community Warehouse Camp Grant Illinois Sumito Horiuchi"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-126/