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 (277)
Military service (4131)
Military Intelligence Service (1387)

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1387 items

doc Intitutional factors in Japanese nationalism (ddr-csujad-55-2572)

Military syllabus entitled, "Institutional Factors In Japanese Nationalism" taught by Shigeya Kihara at the Military Intelligence Service Language School in Savage, Minnesota. This was restricted information for use of Military Personnel Only and not to be republished. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2736

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2572/

doc Appeal to Americans of Japanese Ancestry (ddr-csujad-55-754)

Statement regarding recruitment of Nisei linguists for the Military Intelligence Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota. Provides a background on the school and appeal to prospective students. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0756

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-754/

doc Letter to the people of Japan (ddr-csujad-55-2574)

A letter to the people of Japan is condensed from the Kiwanis Magazine, February 1942. Copies of this document were airdropped over Japan by the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2738

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2574/

doc Reinstitution of selective service (ddr-csujad-55-758)

Booklet titled: Reinstitution of selective service: summary of the policies of the selective service system, War Department, and W. R. A. which affect Nisei. Contents include: Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Statement of principles; Selective service training and service act of 1940 as amended; Selective service policy; Induction of United States citizens …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-758/

doc Certificate (ddr-csujad-55-153)

Certificate of completion for Frank M. Iritani from the Military Intelligence Service Language School. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0155

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-153/

doc MISLS album (ddr-csujad-55-369)

Album commemorating the history and activities of the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). Includes history, staff, and information about MISLS locations including the Presidio, Camp Savage, and Fort Snelling. Includes photographs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0371

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-369/

doc Military Intelligence Service Language School Christmas Festival Service (ddr-csujad-55-155)

Program for the Christmas Festival Service at the Military Intelligence Service Language School. Includes order of the service, songs, readings, and prayers. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0157

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-155/

doc Postcard from Sgt. Frank Honda to Iku Morita (ddr-densho-497-4)

Postcard of La Cathedrale vue du Quai de la Joliette, also know as Marseille Cathedral in Marseille, France.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-497-4/

img Military Intelligence Service (ddr-densho-34-60)

Toshio Chihara (middle row, third from left) graduated with his class at the Military Intelligence Service School at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-34-60/

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 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 Keynote Talk: Rev. Ai Chih Tsai Biography and Legacy (ddr-densho-446-353)

Notes for Taiwanese American Historical Society Keynote Talk on May 17, 2017

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-353/

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/

doc Letter from Ai Chih Tsai to President Franklin D. Roosevelt (ddr-densho-446-122)

Request for executive action to change status to "friendly alien" based on prior work for U.S. government in order to avoid deportation, to avoid consequences for wife and baby, and to allow Tsai to be considered for employment in the American Consulate in Formosa and Chinese Embassy [final draft]

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-122/

doc Rev. Ai Chih Tsai Biography and Legacy (ddr-densho-446-352)

Powerpoint for Taiwanese-American Historical Society Exhibit presented on May 17, 2017

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-352/

doc "My Life Begins" (ddr-densho-446-350)

My Life Begins (autobiography): Ai Chih's parents, conversion to Christianity, education in Japan, arrival in US on student visa, U of Chicago, Robert Cashman, Keimer Shou, Japanese Christian Church (Chicago), War, Ordination, Meeting Ryo, Marriage, Navy-Columbia U, War Dept.-D.C., MD, US Strategic Bombing Survey, UNRRA

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-350/

doc Notice of Official Efficiency Rating (ddr-densho-446-174)

Excellent

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-174/

doc Letter from Joseph Savoretti to Lt. Col. Merillat Moses (ddr-densho-446-120)

Acknowledgement of receipt of letter from June 21. Department of Justice has discontinued practice of amending registration records and cannot consider Tsai's request.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-120/

doc Letter from Major Robert S. Loney to whom it may concern (ddr-densho-446-159)

Letter of recommendation for Ai Chih Tsai detailing his work as a research analysis with the U.S. War Department

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-159/

doc Ryo Morikawa Recollections (ddr-densho-446-349)

Autobiography: Ryo's parents, Life in San Diego, 11 months in Japan, Evacuation, Married Life

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-349/

doc Letter from Robert Cashman to Lt. George H. Kerr, Department of War, Military Intelligence Service (ddr-densho-446-75)

Response to Lt. Kerr's letter: Cashman had previously counseled Tsai to maintain his Japanese citizenship; Cashman recommends Tsai's character and recommends him for service. Also includes discussion of Professor Minoru Tabuchi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-75/

doc Military Intelligence Division War Department Certificate for Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-395)

Certificate of Appreciation from the Military Intelligence Division, War Department to Ai Chih Tsai

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-395/

doc Letter from Lt. Col. Merillat Moses to Immigration and Naturalization Service (ddr-densho-446-160)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-160/

doc Letter from Lt. Col. Merillat Moses to Joseph Savoretti (ddr-densho-446-121)

Requests advice on the next steps Tsai should take. Also requests the return of the correspondence Tsai sent.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-121/