Military Intelligence Service

The first Japanese Americans to serve in the military during World War II were linguists involved in the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). The MISLS was charged with training soldiers in the Japanese language for intelligence purposes. Japanese Americans served as both instructors and students at the school, which opened on November 1, 1941. The Language School began recruiting instructors and later students directly from concentration camps as early as July 1942. MISLS graduates were assigned in small teams to units fighting in the Pacific and to intelligence centers throughout the Allied command. They translated captured documents, interrogated prisoners of war, wrote propaganda, encouraged Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender, and monitored radio broadcasts. After the war, they acted as interpreters at the war crime trials and for the occupation government in Japan.

World War II (239)
Military service (3285)
Military Intelligence Service (1177)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
John Aiso, Fort Snelling, Masaji Marumoto, Jack Matsuoka, Military Intelligence Service, Military Intelligence Service Language School, Walter Tsukamoto, Karl Yoneda

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1177 items
The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 28 (March 27, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-98)
doc The Northwest Times Vol. 2 No. 28 (March 27, 1948) (ddr-densho-229-98)
"Nisei War Memorial Committee Awaits Fund Report from Tacoma; $9,053.65 Total as of March 25" (p. 1), "Two Nisei GI's Die in Crash of C-47 Plane" (p. 1), "Cannery Leaders Begin Talks" (p. 1),
The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 38 (June 3, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-26)
doc The Northwest Times Vol. 1 No. 38 (June 3, 1947) (ddr-densho-229-26)
"Lest We Forget : The GI's Who Didn't Come Back " (p. 1), "Hears Pleas for Claims Board Bill" (p. 1),"MISLS to Send Teams East" (p. 4).
Civilian internment camp (ddr-densho-179-148)
img Civilian internment camp (ddr-densho-179-148)
A kitchen in Taira civilian internment camp. The woman on the right is from Naha City, Okinawa. Behind her is Sgt. Harry Okano.
Representatives at a negotiation session (ddr-densho-179-86)
img Representatives at a negotiation session (ddr-densho-179-86)
Representatives making preliminary negotiations for the surrender of the Ryukyus Islands to the Commanding General of the Tenth Army. Civilian Interpreter Weri Takemura who once lived in Chicago,and Major General Toshiro Taga who represented Lieutenant General Toshiro Nomi, Japanese Commander of Sakishima. Photographer: Lieutenant Stauch.
Drawing done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-210)
doc Drawing done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-210)
Given to a Nisei soldier with the U.S. Military Intelligence Service who was interrogating Japanese prisoners in Okinawa.
Damaged army ships (ddr-densho-179-49)
img Damaged army ships (ddr-densho-179-49)
Damaged army ships in Naha Harbor beached and submerged by the typhoon that struck Okinawa on October 9, 1945.
Drawing done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-199)
doc Drawing done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-199)
Given to a Nisei soldier with the U.S. Military Intelligence Service who was interrogating Japanese prisoners in Okinawa.
Mess hall damaged by typhoon (ddr-densho-179-46)
img Mess hall damaged by typhoon (ddr-densho-179-46)
Mess Hall at Pt. Bolon on the East China Sea Coast of Okinawa was damaged by a typhoon that hit Okinawa on October 9, 1945.
Calligraphy done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-177)
doc Calligraphy done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-177)
Given to a Nisei soldier with the U.S. Military Intelligence Service who was interrogating Japanese prisoners in Okinawa.
Painting and calligraphy done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-186)
doc Painting and calligraphy done by a Japanese prisoner of war (ddr-densho-179-186)
Given to a Nisei soldier with the U.S. Military Intelligence Service who was interrogating Japanese prisoners in Okinawa.
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