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 Takeo Isoshima and others (ddr-densho-477-135)

Photograph of three men in uniform standing in front of a backdrop of an American Airlines plane. Takeo Isoshima stands on the far right. The caption below the photo reads "drafted into US. Army" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-135/

doc CASC Unit mail record card (ddr-densho-477-139)

The card informs the recipient that Takeo Isoshima was accepted into military service, he is to be sent to Monterey, California for 3-4 days and that the recipient will be advised of his updated mailing address.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-139/

doc Postcard from Mitzi (Nakahara) Isoshima to Takeo Isoshima (ddr-densho-477-143)

Postcard in both English and Japanese. English portion discusses crossing the Snake River Canyon on the way to Minidoka. Japanese portion is not translated.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-143/

img Takeo Isoshima (ddr-densho-477-131)

Photograph of a Takeo Isoshima in a military uniform.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-131/

img Takeo Isoshima (ddr-densho-477-137)

Photograph of Takeo Isoshima in his military dress uniform with his arms crossed.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-137/

img Cook Tent (ddr-densho-477-146)

Photograph of army cook tent. There are several large pots of food cooking.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-146/

img Takeo Isoshima with military friends (ddr-densho-477-144)

Photograph of three men in military uniforms in from of a brick building. From left to right: Kikuchi, Tanaka, and Takeo Isoshima. Written along the bottom of the photograph is: "Kikuchi - Tanaka - Takeo 9/12/42 Takeo" in blue ink. The caption below the photo reads "Fort Benjamin Harrison Indiana" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-144/

doc Second Year at Gila (ddr-densho-469-9)

A summary of the second year spent by camp inmates at the Gila River Relocation Center. Topics on the second year of the camp include the camp's administration, involvement in the war, predominant religions, schools, agriculture, recreation, and population, ending with a timeline of events.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-469-9/

doc Postcard from Sgt. Frank Honda to Iku Morita (ddr-densho-497-1)

Postcard of Roma, Ponte Vittoria.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-497-1/

doc In the Service (ddr-densho-496-2)

Written account from Kazuyoshi Kawata about his time serving in the Army of the U.S.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-496-2/

img Waiting for Rhine Crossing (ddr-densho-496-8)

Photograph of 10 soldiers surrounding a gun car and a Jeep awaiting orders. Written on the album page is: "Waiting for the Rhine Crossing / The Wire Section" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-496-8/