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

img Photo of MIS class Section 7 (ddr-densho-563-8)

With note identifying Ben Mayewaki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-8/

doc Typed word list and translations (ddr-densho-563-10)

Compiled by Ben Mayewaki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-10/

img Seven men in fatigues by tents (ddr-densho-563-18)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-18/

doc Special Clothing Ration Issue for Allied Service Personnel for Russell J. Doucette (ddr-densho-563-17)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-17/

img Three men outside building (ddr-densho-563-19)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-19/

img Group photo of soldiers (ddr-densho-563-21)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-21/

doc ID for Headquarters, Base Section No. 3 for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-15)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-15/

img Portrait of Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-1)

Printed on photo front: Ben Mayewaki MIS: Sav42-12, Australia, Sagamihara, Japan Courtesy of the Harano Family

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-1/

img Group portrait of MIS class Section 7 (ddr-densho-563-6)

Ben Mayewaki 2nd from right in 2nd row

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-6/

doc Certificate of commendation from Military Intelligence Division of the War Department for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-54)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-54/

doc Handwritten notes on terminology, definitions and translations (ddr-densho-563-12)

Including military terms, Japanese vocabulary, medical terms and definitions, geography, parts of airplanes term and definitions, mechanical terms.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-12/

doc MIS Guide to Front Line Interrogation (ddr-densho-563-11)

Compiled by Ben Mayewaki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-11/

img Group portrait of MIS class Section 7 (ddr-densho-563-7)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-7/

img Group photo of soldiers (ddr-densho-563-20)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-20/

doc Form letter for separation from the United States Army (ddr-densho-563-58)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-58/

doc Clothing coupons for Allied Service Personnel for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-16)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-16/

img Group portrait of MIS Class (ddr-densho-563-4)

Ben Mayewaki 7th from right in 3rd row

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-4/

doc Order of separation for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-55)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-55/

doc List of MIS Section 7 members (ddr-densho-563-9)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-9/

doc Honorable Discharge certificate for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-56)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-56/

doc Certificate of Completion for MIS Language School for Ben Mayewaki (ddr-densho-563-2)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-2/

doc Crew Gate Pass, Hammond Shipping Co. (ddr-densho-563-23)

for Ben Mayewaki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-23/

img Group portrait of MIS class Section 7 (ddr-densho-563-5)

Ben Mayewaki 5th from left of kneeling group

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-5/

doc Travel order for group to be reassigned to Washington D.C. (ddr-densho-563-22)

Including Ben Mayewaki

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-563-22/

av Interview with Jacob Herzog, part 2 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1540)

Herzog discusses interrogating Japanese prisoners with Nisei soldiers, documents captured from opposing soldiers, and the Pacific theater more generally. Video starts at 1:14. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 43, II NY #24, 6-85, Herzog. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1541/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1540/