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 (283)
Military service (4287)

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4287 items

img Nisei serviceman (ddr-densho-34-83)

Noboru Oyama.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-34-83/

img Nisei soldiers (ddr-densho-34-176)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-34-176/

doc Thanksgiving menu 1942 (ddr-densho-368-12)

from Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-12/

img Group of three soldiers with woman (ddr-densho-368-11)

Notation on folder: William T. Iino standing on left in Europe

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-11/

doc Christmas menu 1942 (ddr-densho-368-13)

from Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-13/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 14, No. 723 (November 21, 1941) (ddr-densho-96-758)

Selected article titles: "Tough Task Ahead for Envoy Kurusu" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Sports" (p. 3), "Party Honors 'Nisei' in U.S. Army" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-758/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 15, No. 737 (February 27, 1942) (ddr-densho-96-772)

Selected article titles: "Army Hits Stride in Huge Expansion" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Young Americans in City Schools Resign Positions" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-772/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 14, No. 727 (December 19, 1941) (ddr-densho-96-762)

Selected article titles: "Army-Navy Heads in Hawaii Ousted as Probe Begins" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Sports" (p. 3), "Should Not Speak Japanese Language in Public Places" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-762/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 14, No. 696 (May 17, 1941) (ddr-densho-96-731)

Selected article titles: "Patriot Spirit Test for Citizens" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang Overs" (p. 3), "Young Americans with Japan Origin to Defend Country" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-731/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 14, No. 694 (May 3, 1941) (ddr-densho-96-729)

Selected article titles: "Japan Now Using Ancient Soochow as Example City" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang Overs" (p. 3), "Two Lads Formerly of Seattle Are in Uncle Sam's Army" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-729/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 14, No. 710 (August 22, 1941) (ddr-densho-96-745)

Selected article titles: "Canada's Japanese in Greater Favor" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang Overs" (p. 3), "Day Dawns Clear for Young Folks in this Vicinity" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-745/

doc Draft letter from Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-27)

Arrangements for young people of First Baptist Church of Cicero to entertain Nisei US soldiers on July 18, 1942. Request for list of interested soldiers to send invitations.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-27/

doc Letter from Ai Chih Tsai to U.S. Department of Justice (ddr-densho-446-111)

Request for assistance changing Tsai's status to Chinese Formosan, friendly alien, and a path to U.S. citizenship [final draft]

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-111/

doc Letter from Lt. Col. E. M. Hudgins to U.S. Department of Justice (ddr-densho-446-157)

Letter in support of Tsai's requests to change his status to friendly alien. Hudgins is Tsai's supervisor in current Military Intelligence Service position. Hudgins offers strong support for his character, ability, assistance to US war effort.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-157/

doc Letter from George "Jack" H. Kerr to U.S. Department of Justice (ddr-densho-446-158)

Letter in support of Tsai's requests to change his status to friendly alien. Kerr offers strong support for Tsai's character, ability, and assistance to US war effort.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-158/

doc Letter from Ai Chih Tsai to Lt. George Kerr (ddr-densho-446-132)

Reply to telegram: Tsai is available

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-132/

doc Letter from Col. J. R. Lovell to Immigration and Naturalization Service (ddr-densho-446-162)

Letter from certifying Tsai's employment with commendation for his excellent work of great value to US war effort.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-162/

doc Letter from Edward J. Ennis to Ai Thich Tsai (ddr-densho-446-116)

Acknowledges request for assistance in changing alien status. U.S. law offers no way to do this except by complying with naturalization statutes. Recommends contacting Immigration and Naturalization Services Department in Philadelphia.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-116/

doc Letter from George "Jack" H. Kerr to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-99)

Kerr is shocked at Tsai' status as "enemy" alien; offers to write to Taylor, Deputy Director for the Far East. Recommends Tsai write to Robert Cashman for a letter explaining the situation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-99/

doc Telegram from Lt. George Kerr to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-136)

Telegram inviting Tsai to come to New York at earliest convenience. Handwritten note on reverse.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-136/

doc Letter from Lt. James T. Watkins, IV, USNR - Translation Unit, to whom it may concern (ddr-densho-446-144)

Letter of recommendation for Ai Chih Tsai detailing his work with Military Government Research Unit No. 2.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-144/

doc Two notes: Nisei battalion and conversation in novel (ddr-densho-468-169)

Two handwritten notes on notecards taped to a sheet of paper.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-169/

doc Story outline and short story: John Citizen Junior (ddr-densho-468-66)

Typed outline and draft of story set in World War II

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-66/

doc Notice of Involuntary Separation (ddr-densho-446-150)

Advice of Personnel Action. Involuntary Separation from Office of War Intelligence since Tsai is a Japanese subject.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-150/

doc Letter from Lt. Col. Merillat Moses to Immigration and Naturalization Service (ddr-densho-446-118)

Letter in support of Tsai's requests to change his status to friendly alien. As Tsai's immediate chief, Moses has a strong personal interest in this case and requests that every effort be made to change Tsai's registration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-118/