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 Japanese American military volunteers (ddr-densho-37-669)

Original WRA caption: The three Onodera brothers volunteer for the Army while the entire family looks on. Front row: Mr. And Mrs. Toyosuke Onodera, Satoru, Sergeant Carl E. Teurk, Back Row: Fumi, Yutaka, Kaun, Ko, Lieut. Stanley D. Arnold, Sergeant Eugene F. Jenrick and Sergeant Akira Kato.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-669/

img Japanese American soldier (ddr-densho-37-665)

Original WRA caption: Sergeant B. Kuroki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-665/

img Parade for a Japanese American soldier (ddr-densho-37-664)

Shown here is a welcoming parade for Sergeant Ben Kuroki.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-664/

img Military volunteers (ddr-densho-37-663)

Original WRA caption: Volunteers for induction into the U.S. Army to serve in a special combat team of Japanese-Americans. At foot of flag pole stand H.L. Stafford, project director and right, Philip Schafer, assistant project director.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-663/

img Soldiers and families (ddr-densho-37-526)

Original WRA caption: Granada Relocation Center, Amache, Colorado. Blue Star Mothers and wives and visiting soldiers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-526/

img Funeral for fallen soldiers (ddr-densho-37-743)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-743/

img Makeshift shower (ddr-densho-373-9)

Photograph of a makeshift shower. Written along the bottom of the photograph is "Shower made from gas tank Burma" in blue ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-373-9/

img Hank (ddr-densho-373-18)

Photograph of a man identified as Hank dressed in a military uniform standing beside a road sign. Written on the photograph is "To Bill, Aloha 'Hank'" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-373-18/

doc Soldiers Dependency Allowances (ddr-densho-402-2)

Document that contains information about Japanese American soldier's dependency allowances. Contents include Welfare Section's Responsibility; History of Class B Army Allowances to Center Residents; Problems Reflecting Unique Character of the Community; Relationship to Center Red Cross Unit; Other Services to Soldiers' Dependents; Extent of Army Dependency at the Center; and Conclusions.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-402-2/

img Man leans against a car (ddr-densho-404-408)

A man in military uniform leans against the door of a car.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-404-408/

img Man kneels on hearth (ddr-densho-404-379)

A man in military uniform kneels on a hearth next to a blazing fire.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-404-379/

img Three men in military uniform (ddr-densho-404-83)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-404-83/

img Man in military uniform (ddr-densho-404-370)

Caption written in Japanese next to photograph.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-404-370/

img Man in military uniform (ddr-densho-404-373)

Caption written in Japanese next to photograph.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-404-373/

img Soldier poses in field (ddr-densho-397-48)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-397-48/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-148)

A lot of rumors about where he might be sent next, still doesn't like the men in the company, has to go to town to take showers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-148/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-26)

Waiting for orders, sending money home

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-26/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-113)

The beach he visited was the Lido and run by the Red Cross with separate areas for civilians, enlisted men and officers, hasn't hear form his brother Archie

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-113/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-59)

Asking about Kathleen's parents, friends

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-59/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-121)

First page missing, heard some news about his brother Archie possibly wounded, wants to send a tricycle to Yuri.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-121/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-50)

Letting Kathleen know he is shipping out

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-50/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-119)

Men in his platoon continue to write to Alvin after they leave to ask his advice, still doesn't know when he will come home.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-119/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-13)

Waiting for orders, life in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-13/

doc Letter from Alvin Uchiyama to Kathleen Koga Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-19)

Getting his allotment and pay, mention of hearing about the draft resisters.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-19/

doc Letter from Kathleen Koga Uchiyama to Alvin Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-34)

Future plans, discusses a friend who was a no-no boy and was sent to Tule Lake, asks about loyalty questionnaire. With envelope front and back.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-34/