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 serviceman and woman (ddr-csujad-55-2269)

Black and white photograph of a Nisei woman and serviceman. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2373

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2269/

doc Letter from Curtis C. Roes, 1st Lt. C.E. Commanding, to Dorothy Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2361)

Correspondence from Curtis C. Roes to Dorothy Nakamura regarding George Hideo Nakamura's arrival at Fort Leonard Wood and informing her about the amenities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2467

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2361/

img Japanese American servicemen (ddr-csujad-55-2276)

Black and white photograph depicting three Japanese American servicemen. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2381

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2276/

doc Reinstitution of selective service (ddr-csujad-55-758)

Booklet titled: Reinstitution of selective service: summary of the policies of the selective service system, War Department, and W. R. A. which affect Nisei. Contents include: Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Statement of principles; Selective service training and service act of 1940 as amended; Selective service policy; Induction of United States citizens …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-758/

doc Notice of classification, DSS form 57 rev., Osamu Oseto (ddr-csujad-55-1897)

Notice of Classification in the Selective Service for Osamu Oseto. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1900

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1897/

img Japanese American servicemen and woman (ddr-csujad-55-2270)

Black and white photograph of two Japanese American serviceman and a Japanese American woman. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2374

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2270/

img Japanese American servicemen near a church (ddr-csujad-55-2277)

Black and white photograph depicting two Japanese American servicemen and two women in front of a church in winter. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2382

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2277/

doc News clippings regarding the incarceration of Japanese Americans, F.C. 29, March, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-763)

Collection of newspaper clippings covering Japanese Americans during World War II. Topics include incarceration camps, Japanese American soldiers, race, prejudice, work, and other commentary. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0765

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-763/

doc Letter from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean (ddr-csujad-55-2367)

Correspondence from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean regarding updates on Nakamura's daily life in the armed forces and general updates. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2473

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2367/

img Japanese American individuals (ddr-csujad-55-2304)

Black and white photograph of two Japanese American individuals, seated outside. From scrapbook page titled: The Kay Ryugos, Missouri. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2409

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2304/

doc DPA Series: Relocation of Japanese-Americans (ddr-csujad-55-2456)

Clipping from the Documentary Photo Aid series depicting a Nisei serviceman visiting his parents in the Minidoka incarceration camp. Includes text describing the service of Nisei in the armed forces during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2562

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2456/

doc Letter from Leo Uchida to James Waegell (ddr-csujad-55-2328)

Correspondence from Leo Uchida to James Waegell regarding Uchida's map of Manzanar, an enclosed annual from the high school at Manzanar incarceration camp, and inquiring about the selective service. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2434

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2328/

doc Letter from Tsuna Watanabe to Honorable Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War, November 30, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2002)

Correspondence from Tsuna Watanabe to Henry Stimson regarding loyalty to the United States and requesting release from Topaz incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2105

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2002/

doc Honorable discharge certificate for George Hido Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2180)

Honorable discharge certificate for George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2282

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2180/

Letter from Dillon S. Myer, Director, War Relocation Authority, to Mr. Guy Robertson, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, May 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-565)

doc Letter from Dillon S. Myer, Director, War Relocation Authority, to Mr. Guy Robertson, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, May 13, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-565)

Correspondence from Dillon S. Myer to Guy Robertson requesting that Robertson provide instructions to incarcerees regarding "seasonal leave." Instructions cover working under contract with the War Food Administration, unemployment complaints, permission to traveling outside the "travel district," breaking labor contract, converting to indefinite leave, selective service, and work record. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-565/

doc Letter from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean, August 30, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2187)

Correspondence from George Hideo Nakamura to Jean regarding instructions for sending documents needed to obtain military benefits. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2289

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2187/

doc Certification card for George H. Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2369)

Card belonging to George Hideo Nakamura stating his honorable service as a teletype mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2475

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2369/

doc Special orders, no. 212 (September 4, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-2345)

Special orders from the Army Service Forces for George Hideo Nakamura. Issued by U.S. Army Service Forces. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2451

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2345/

doc They work for victory: the story of Japanese Americans and the war effort (ddr-csujad-55-331)

Pamphlet on Nisei in the United States during World War II. Includes photographs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0333

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-331/

Letter from Daniel E. Talan, Assistant to Personnel Director, National Tea Co., to Chester L. Fordney, Deputy Director, Service Recognition Board, April 20, 1948 (ddr-csujad-55-2415)

doc Letter from Daniel E. Talan, Assistant to Personnel Director, National Tea Co., to Chester L. Fordney, Deputy Director, Service Recognition Board, April 20, 1948 (ddr-csujad-55-2415)

Correspondence from Daniel Talan to Chester Fordney regarding the claims of George Hideo Nakamura. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2521

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2415/

doc Identification pass (ddr-csujad-55-2368)

Identification card belonging to Pvt. George Hideo Nakamura. Includes personal information, fingerprint, and travel permissions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2474

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2368/

doc Postal telegraph from F. A. McGovern, July 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-2242)

Telegram from F.A. McGovern regarding the transfer of Ida Ryugo into the custody of Private First Class Masatoshi Yamaguchi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2345

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2242/

doc Identification card--Enlisted Reserve Corps, Form no. 166, George Hideo Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2192)

Identification card for George Hideo Nakamura regarding his transfer to the Enlisted Reserve Corps. Includes personal information and fingerprint. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2294

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2192/

doc Certificate of proficiency (ddr-csujad-55-2370)

Card belonging to George Hideo Nakamura certifying his proficiency as a sharpshooter with a score of 172. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2476

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2370/

Letter from C. Wayland Brooks, United States Senator, to Mary Yamasnira re: acknowledgement that Frank S. Okusako was wounded in action, December 29, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-241)

doc Letter from C. Wayland Brooks, United States Senator, to Mary Yamasnira re: acknowledgement that Frank S. Okusako was wounded in action, December 29, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-241)

Correspondence from C. Wayland Brooks to Mary Yamasnira acknowledging that her brother, Frank Okusako, had been wounded in action. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0243

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-241/