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 (2806)

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2806 items

img Soldier on Guard (ddr-csujad-13-18)

A soldier stands with his back to the photographer. He is holding a gun and appears to be on guard. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Tulelake Calif. E.M.E.___ gun guarding Jap [disloyal] who threatened loyal family (his) ____ they left him." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-18/

img Man in the Snow (ddr-csujad-13-30)

A man in military uniform is photographed in the now. It is unclear exactly which month this photograph was taken as the caption on front of photograph reads, "January 1943" and the caption on back of photograph reads, "Sgt. Mallman 2/1/43." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_025

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-30/

img Men in Military Vehicle (ddr-csujad-13-4)

Three men in military uniform are pictured in a military vehicle. The caption on back of photograph reads, "H.J.W. Manning 30 caliber gun on mounted car (armored) patrolling Jap streets during disturbance during Nov 43 at Tulelake Calif Capt. sitting in background." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_031

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-4/

img Caravan of Military Vehicles (ddr-csujad-13-22)

This photograph depicts a caravan of military vehicles and men. The caption on front of photograph reads, "Parked for Lunch Nov 43." As indicated by the photographs in items csudh_tul_0020 and csudh_tul_021, these men are on their way to the Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-22/

img Soldiers and Military Vehicles (ddr-csujad-13-20)

A group of soldiers stand together next to military vehicles. As the caption on front of photograph explains, they are, "On way to Tullelake Nov. 43." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_015

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-20/

img Man Outside First Sergeant Building (ddr-csujad-13-31)

A slightly blurry photo of a man in uniform standing outside a building with a "1st Sgt" sign. The caption on back of photograph reads, "Cpt. Seitz 2/1/43" See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tul_01_01_026

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-13-31/

img Camp Savage, Minnesota (ddr-csujad-25-95)

A photograph of a room of US military facilities. The photograph is probably taken in Camp Savage, Minnesota. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_037

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-95/

doc Story of the "No/No-No/Yes" Soldiers of the 1800 General Service Battalion, U.S. Army (ddr-csujad-24-69)

In this document Cedrick M. Shimo describes the Army unit during World War II that was made up of Americans of Japanese, German, and Italian descent, who were considered "suspect." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_05_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-69/

doc Letter from Mits Koshiyama to Michi Weglyn, January 26, 1993 (ddr-csujad-24-52)

A letter from Mits Koshiyama to Michi Weglyn about an article in Nichi Bei by Nisei veteran Eji Suyama. Koshiyama praises Suyama for writing that the Nisei veterans were used by the US government. Koshiyama agrees with this point, but argues that a resister like himself cannot make it in public without being criticized by the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-52/

Letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn, July 23, 1990 (ddr-csujad-24-208)

doc Letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn, July 23, 1990 (ddr-csujad-24-208)

A letter from Robert J. Walsh Jr., Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Office, Department of the Army, to Michi Weglyn. The letter is a response to Weglyn's 1988 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), regarding records on the Japanese American Citizenship League (JACL). See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-208/

doc Letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen (ddr-csujad-24-92)

A letter from Eji Suyama to Pacific Citizen regarding the exclusion of Nisei from universities in the United States during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_07_009

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-92/

doc Letter from Ced [Cedrick Shimo] and Milli to Michi Weglyn, November 3, 1991 (ddr-csujad-24-85)

A letter from Cedrick and Milli Shimo to Michi Weglyn in which they talk about the the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They also describe a reunion of survivors of the German concentration camp Dachau, and refer to a speaker at the event that talked about the treatment of African American soldiers during Word …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-85/

doc Letter from Usami Terada to Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Thomas, October 29, 1942 (ddr-csujad-4-15)

A letter from Usami Terada, an incarceree at the Rohwer incarceration camp, to Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Thomas in Lawndale, California. In the letter, he describes his life and the conditions of the Rohwer incarceration camp. He also describes the Japanese American soldiers visiting the camp: among the soldiers, he finds Sam Kita, one of his …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-4-15/

img Kazumasa Sasaki (ddr-csujad-38-40)

A photo of Kazumasa Sasaki, who married to George Naohara's cousin, Yoshiye Dorothy Naohara. The caption includes description of him, including his gambling habit. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 11. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_11_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-40/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945, typescript (ddr-csujad-42-82)

Japanese typescript of the letter: csudh_tak_0080. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_39_001_jpn

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-82/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-81)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0080. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_39_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-81/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 1945 (ddr-csujad-42-80)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro in the Heart Mountain incarceration camp to her son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Gila River incarceration camp. She informs them that she is leaving the camp with Kumaji on Friday, May 11, and planning to rent Mr. Shimazu's house in Los Angeles, California. Her other daughters, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-80/

img Aerial view of naval drydocks (ddr-csujad-43-258)

Aerial photograph number 5838 of Terminal Island, San Pedro and Long Beach. Note on the back side reads: Naval Drydocks, Terminal Island, San Pedro, California. Long Beach Entrance Channel, Retractable Pontoon Bridge, looking east toward Long Beach. Contract Noy-8012. Aerial. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ter_04_063_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-43-258/

img Naval Operating Base (ddr-csujad-43-259)

Aerial photograph number 7445 of Terminal Island. Note on the back side reads: Naval Operating Base, Terminal Island (San Pedro), California. Receiving station, looking south southeast. Contract Noy-8008. Title from note. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ter_04_064_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-43-259/

img Naval Air Station looking east (ddr-csujad-43-265)

Photograph number 2006 of the Naval Air Station of Terminal Island. Subject reads: Naval Air Station Terminal Island Calif. [California] Alt. [Altitude] 12000' looking east. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ter_05_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-43-265/

doc Letter from Seiichi Okine to Masao Okine, May 3, 1945 (ddr-csujad-5-79)

A letter from Seiichi Okine in the Rohwer incarceration camp, Arkansas, to his son, Masao Okine in Fort Meade, Maryland. Seiichi asks questions regarding the family allowance application. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_01_18_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-79/

img [Japanese American soldiers] (ddr-csujad-5-20)

A photograph of three Japanese American soldiers taken in Silver Springs, Florida in June 1945. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_01_05_004

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-20/

doc Envelope from H. Sugimoto to Mrs. Ayame Okine, July 8, [1945] (ddr-csujad-5-85)

An envelope mailed from Hidematsu Henry Sugimoto in Camp Blanding, Florida, to Ayame Okine in the Rohwer incarceration camp, Arkansas. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_01_23_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-85/

img [Japanese American soldier] (ddr-csujad-5-21)

A photograph of a Japanese American soldier taken at a parade ground at Camp Blanding, Florida. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_01_05_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-21/

doc I am a doughboy (ddr-csujad-5-297)

A booklet given to soldiers at the U.S. Infantry Replacement Training Centers. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_06_06_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-297/