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 (231)
Military service (2819)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

2819 items

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-696)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-696/

doc Crossroads, Vol. 1, No. 37 (February 11, 1949) (ddr-densho-358-11)

Selected article titles: "Bodies of Nisei Dead Return" (p.1-2), "Music Scholarship Contest, Plays Set for Next Week" (p.1-2), "Troop 379 Notes Seventeenth Anniversary" (p.3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-358-11/

doc The Nisei Weekender, Vol. 1, No. 19 (May 2, 1946) (ddr-densho-358-3)

Selected article titles: "Claims Commission Proposed" (p.1, 4), "Community to Be Mobilized to Supply Relief to Japan" (p.1), "Kuroki to Represent JACL Veterans in Protest Against Discriminatory Acts" (p.1), "Nisei March in First May 1 Parade in 5 Years" (p.3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-358-3/

doc Crossroads, Vol. 1, No. 41 (March 11, 1949) (ddr-densho-358-15)

Selected article titles: "City Now Buying Lil Tokyo Sites" (p.1), "Brothers-in-Law in Reburial of Five Nisei War Heroes Here" (p.1), "More Strandee Cases Set for Trial, May 17" (p.2), "Scientist Decries Lack of Equipment to Carry on Research in Cancer" (p.3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-358-15/

img Yoshioka family in Topaz (ddr-densho-357-731)

Private Masaru Yoshioka visits his family in the camp in Topaz, Utah. Left to right: Tadaichi Yoshioka, George Yoshioka, Masaru Yoshioka, Yoni Yoshioka, Giichi Yoshioka, June Yoshioka, Vernon Yoshioka (front).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-731/

img Yoshioka family (ddr-densho-357-783)

Left to right: Private Giichi Yoshioka, Vernon Yoshioka, June Yoshioka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-783/

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-698)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-698/

img Giichi Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-697)

Giichi Yoshioka enlisted in the United States army during World War II.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-697/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-732)

Private Masaru Yoshioka addressed this photograph of himself in military uniform taken in the Topaz camp to, "Dearest Mom and Pop, Love Masaru."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-732/

img Masaru Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-737)

Private Masaru Yoshioka addressed this portrait to his parents, "Your son, Masaru." Masaru's parents, Yani and Tadaichi Yoshioka, were held in the Topaz, Utah camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-737/

img Yoshioka brothers (ddr-densho-357-743)

Left to right: Masaru Yoshioka, George Yoshioka, Giichi Yoshioka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-743/

img Giichi Yosihoka (ddr-densho-357-695)

Hanako Terakawa's caption: "Pvt Giichi Yoshioka, Feb 20, 1944 Edina, Minn."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-695/

img George Yoshioka (ddr-densho-357-741)

This portrait in military uniform is addressed from George, "To Ma and Pa." Handwritten caption: "In Italy, George Yoshioka."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-741/

img Soldiers leaving camp (ddr-densho-39-57)

The soldiers from in this photo appear to be leaving the Minidoka concentration camp. Minidoka had the highest percentage of Japanese American military volunteers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-57/