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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 (3289)
Military Intelligence Service (1180)

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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1180 items
Two men in uniform standing with two women (ddr-ajah-2-810)
img Two men in uniform standing with two women (ddr-ajah-2-810)
Caption: Joe Iwataki, of Alameda, CA., explores Chicago, IL., with friends while on a three day pass. Iwataki was a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), February 1943. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-492 with additional notes
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-810/
Horse drawn hay wagon in field (ddr-ajah-2-794)
img Horse drawn hay wagon in field (ddr-ajah-2-794)
Caption: Joe Iwataki likely photographed this farm scene while driving to the St. Paul Minnesota U.S.O. army club. Iwataki was from Alameda, CA.. Photo October 1942 - June 1943. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-556 with additional notes
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-794/
Portrait of Joe Iwataki in uniform (ddr-ajah-2-815)
img Portrait of Joe Iwataki in uniform (ddr-ajah-2-815)
Caption: Joe Iwataki of Alameda, CA., has his portrait taken at Phyllis Brown Studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while he is stationed at Camp Savage. He was a member of the Military Intelligence Service during WWII. August 14, 1943
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-815/
Damaged building (ddr-ajah-2-684)
img Damaged building (ddr-ajah-2-684)
Caption below photo: Legislative Building
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-684/
Large group standing in yard outside camp buildings (ddr-ajah-2-520)
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/
Man standing next to stone lantern and temple (ddr-ajah-2-721)
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/
Group of buildings (ddr-ajah-2-418)
img Group of buildings (ddr-ajah-2-418)
Caption below photo: Rows of Classrooms
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-418/
Group of men posing for photo outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-809)
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/
Man reading outside camp building in snow (ddr-ajah-2-464)
img Man reading outside camp building in snow (ddr-ajah-2-464)
Caption below photo: Johnny Kitagawa
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-464/
Six men posing for photo by tents (ddr-ajah-2-654)
img Six men posing for photo by tents (ddr-ajah-2-654)
Caption below photo: Bell / Cowan / Hank / Bernie / Taro / Bene / Order of Battle Section
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-654/
Three men standing by tents (ddr-ajah-2-643)
img Three men standing by tents (ddr-ajah-2-643)
Caption below photo: Art Tewes / Herman Moore / Dave Siegel
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-643/
Man in uniform standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-6)
img Man in uniform standing outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-6)
Lincoln T. Taira / Brawley, Calif. Brecs Leader
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-6/
Three men by trees. Joe Iwataki on left (ddr-ajah-2-663)
img Three men by trees. Joe Iwataki on left (ddr-ajah-2-663)
Caption below photo: Elmer / Remo
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-663/
Postcard of ball room. Printed on front: Ball room, Service Men's Center (ddr-ajah-2-554)
img Postcard of ball room. Printed on front: Ball room, Service Men's Center (ddr-ajah-2-554)
Caption below photo: St. Paul U.S.O.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-554/
Man sitting on boat (ddr-ajah-2-723)
img Man sitting on boat (ddr-ajah-2-723)
Caption below photo: Bill
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-723/
Two men outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-9)
img Two men outside barracks (ddr-ajah-2-9)
Written on back: Ambassador Grew Camp Savage
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-9/
Three men by river with men bathing in background (ddr-ajah-2-753)
img Three men by river with men bathing in background (ddr-ajah-2-753)
Caption: Joe Iwataki, center, posed with his U.S. Army friends, while other bath in a nearby river. 1941. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-234 with notes.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-753/
Men sitting near tents and line of trucks (ddr-ajah-2-774)
img Men sitting near tents and line of trucks (ddr-ajah-2-774)
Caption: Unknown US Army camp, probably training site, circa 1941. Supplemental scan of ddr-ajah-2-222 with additional notes
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-774/
Group photo of men in uniform outside Topaz camp building. Joe Iwataki standing second from left (ddr-ajah-2-785)
img Group photo of men in uniform outside Topaz camp building. Joe Iwataki standing second from left (ddr-ajah-2-785)
Caption: Joe Iwataki of Alameda, CA., posed with Gis while he is on furlough to Topaz, Utah, July 1943. Photo shot in front of the Ad building. Additional note about names: These names were on the back of the photo but it was difficult to know the exact position of the person named. Supplemental scan of …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-785/
Two men in cook's uniforms outside building (ddr-ajah-2-550)
img Two men in cook's uniforms outside building (ddr-ajah-2-550)
Caption below photo: Fat Nakamura / Wahoo Yasui / cooks
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-550/
View of bridge (ddr-ajah-2-598)
img View of bridge (ddr-ajah-2-598)
Caption below photo: Grey Street Bridge
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-598/
Group of men lined up outside building (ddr-ajah-2-503)
img Group of men lined up outside building (ddr-ajah-2-503)
Caption below photo: Morning break period
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-2-503/
Letter from Lt. Col. E. M. Hudgins to U.S. Department of Justice (ddr-densho-446-157)
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/
Letter from George
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/
Letter from Col. J. R. Lovell to Immigration and Naturalization Service (ddr-densho-446-162)
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/
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