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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

1387 items

img Group of men outside building (ddr-ajah-2-509)

Caption below photo: After the clean up

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-509/

img Man reading at table (ddr-ajah-2-793)

Caption: Lincoln T. Taira studies at Camp Savage, Minnesota, as a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), October 1942-June 1943. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-497 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-793/

img Two men sitting on bench in garden (ddr-ajah-2-786)

Caption: While at Camp Crowder, Missouri, Dick Otsubo of Stockton, CA., and pal Joe Iwataki (at right) of alameda, CA., pose somewhere on the grounds, which they jokingly referred to as "Jimmy Kusuda's garden". Kusuda was another army friend stationed there. Unfortunately, Otsubo died in Italy during WWII. Photo August 26, 1942. Inscription on back: Aug. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-786/

img Group of men around stove (ddr-ajah-2-533)

Caption below photo: Hugging the stove

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-533/

img Yasuharu Koike on top of captured tank (ddr-ajah-2-867)

Caption below photo: Yasuharu Koike poses with a captured Japanese tankette. Smaller than most standard WWII tanks, this model appears to be similar to the 94TK model. The 94 saw use in Burma and China. Koike served with the MIS in the China-Burma-India campaign during WWII. Photo 1944. He was from Alameda, CA.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-867/

img Building with thatch roof by road (ddr-ajah-2-651)

Caption below photo: Native Nipa huts

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-651/

img Groups of men out in field (ddr-ajah-2-443)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-443/

img Men seated at table signing documents (ddr-ajah-2-717)

Caption below photo: General Yamashita

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-717/

img Red Cross Service Club (ddr-ajah-2-595)

Caption below photo: American Red Cross, at Creek and Adelaide Sts, Brisbane

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-595/

img General George Strong speaking at podium (ddr-ajah-2-562)

Caption below photo: Guest of Honor Maj Gen. George V. Strong Ass't Chief of Staff, G-2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-562/

img Man in fatigues standing outside barracks. Inscription on front: Joe- Fort Ord 1941 (ddr-ajah-2-7)

Inscribed on back, unable to scan: "Private Joe Iwataki Co. A 53rd Infantry Fort Ord Feb. 1941 'Fatigue Clothes'"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-7/

doc 1981 Membership Roster MIS Association of Northern California (ddr-ajah-2-23)

Contact information redacted

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-23/

img Joe Iwataki and friend standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-759)

Caption: Joe Iwataki, at right, with friend Joe Curti, while taking basic training at For Ord near Monterey, CA. Joe was from Alameda, CA. July 1941. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-88 with additional notes

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-759/

img Man sitting at drafting table, signed on front (ddr-ajah-2-483)

Caption below photo: Don Hikido

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-483/

img Postcard of room. Printed on front: Reading room, Service men's Center (ddr-ajah-2-553)

Caption below photo: St. Paul U.S.O.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-553/

img View of docks (ddr-ajah-2-672)

Caption below photo: Pier 7

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-672/

img Large group standing in yard outside camp buildings (ddr-ajah-2-520)

Caption below photo: Buffet Luncheon

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-520/

img Man standing next to stone lantern and temple (ddr-ajah-2-721)

Caption below photo: Bill

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-721/

img Group of buildings (ddr-ajah-2-418)

Caption below photo: Rows of Classrooms

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-418/

img Group of men posing for photo outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-809)

Caption: MIS Military Intelligence Service language school / Camp Savage, Minnesota. Iwataki graduated for the MIS in December 1942 / Taro Yoshihashi / Grant Hirabayashi (served in Burma) / Joe Iwataki of Alameda, CA (served in Australia) / Yasuharu Koike of Alameda, CA. (served in CBI campaign)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-809/