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 Portrait of Nisei soldier (ddr-densho-359-1583)

The photograph is signed "To Ed + Janet with affection George". George Funai

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1583/

img Nisei soldier (ddr-densho-359-1621)

The photograph is signed "Affectionately George". George Funai.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1621/

img Portrait of couple (ddr-densho-359-1575)

"Horse" and Sei Ikeda. Captio+G1575+C1576

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1575/

img Solider and woman (ddr-densho-359-1107)

"Horse" and Sei Ikeda. The photograph is signed "To uncle + auntie Sincerely. [illegible]." The caption in the album is "Hattiesburg Miss. 1944". Ikeda was killed in action with the 442nd later in 1944.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1107/

img Soldier and woman (ddr-densho-359-1451)

"Horse" and Sei Ikeda. The photograph is signed "To Phil and Alice Sincerely [illegible] Sei". Mr. Ikeda would be killed in action with the 442nd later in 1944.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1451/

doc Announcement re: victory in the Italian campaign (ddr-densho-368-7)

From Allied Force Headquarters to servicemen in the Mediterranean Theatre

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-7/

doc Announcement to re: victory in Europe (ddr-densho-368-6)

From General Clark to Soldiers of the 15th Army Group

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-6/

doc Letter to T.W. from Fred (ddr-densho-410-56)

Sent to T.W. in New York with details about the whereabouts of the "Pomona kids" in the military and elsewhere. Names listed were Pomona college students in the mid-1930's.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-56/

Transcription of speech by Charles Ernst, Topaz camp director. Transcription from handwritten notes, object ddr-densho-410-33. (ddr-densho-410-32)

doc Transcription of speech by Charles Ernst, Topaz camp director. Transcription from handwritten notes, object ddr-densho-410-33. (ddr-densho-410-32)

Discussing goals of WRA in creating camps, and creation of all-Japanese military unit, and requirements for filling out questionnaire and registering. Typed transcription, pages 1-4

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-32/

doc Letter to Tomoye from unknown man (ddr-densho-410-132)

Written from Japan where writer is working with the CI&E (Civil Information and Education), visiting relatives, seeing the destruction at Hiroshima

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-132/

doc Letter from Ben Murota to Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-120)

News about how he and others in the 442nd are spending time waiting to be shipped home.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-120/

doc Letter from Ben Murota? to Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-161)

Written from France, asking how relocation is going, what is happening at Topaz

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-161/

doc Letter from Ben Murota to Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-109)

Sent from Italy where he is stationed guarding Italian prisoners. In envelope with object ddr-densho-410-107

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-109/

doc Letter from Alex Yorichi to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-88)

News about where he is deployed overseas (censored), written on Australian YMCA stationary

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-88/

doc Selective Service registration card for Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-390)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-390/

doc Letter from Ben to Tomoye (Nozawa) Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-433)

Written from Italy, thanking her for her letter, his regiment is guarding German prisoners

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-433/

doc Letter from Alex Yorichi to Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-162)

Likely written from Burma, thanking her for letting him know about his father's death in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-162/

doc Letter from Jas Takeshita to Tomoye Takahashi and Martha Nozawa (ddr-densho-410-131)

Describing life in Japan and asking if they can send some things

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-131/

doc Handwritten notes of speech by Charles Ernst, Topaz camp director. (ddr-densho-410-33)

A transcription of this speech is available at object ddr-densho-410-32.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-33/

img Frank Watanabe portrait in uniform (ddr-densho-488-11)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-488-11/

img Man in military uniform (ddr-ajah-6-898)

Caption below photo: Taro Takeda waits at the Alameda, CA., train station, which was across the street from his house at 2418 Railroad Ave. He joined the military before Pearl Harbor and was not part of the 442nd RCT or the MIS. He was stationed in Honolulu and San Francisco.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-898/

img Tsutomu Inouye driving jeep with two other men (ddr-ajah-6-483)

Caption below photo: Tsutomu Inouye (driving) of Alameda, CA., at For Ord, Monterrey, CA., for basic training. July 1941

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-483/

img Japanese American man in military uniform (ddr-densho-255-120)

Unidentified Japanese American man in military uniform. Written on reverse: "When reordering, give number 13641. Hyland's Studio. Box 12, Hattiesburg, Miss."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-255-120/

img The U.S.S. Argonne (ddr-densho-432-60)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-432-60/

img Navy sailor standing on the steps of a building (ddr-densho-432-62)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-432-62/