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 (231)
Military service (2806)
Military Intelligence Service (1145)

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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1145 items
Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-9-18)
vh Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-9-18)
Military Intelligence Service recruitment, training, and duties
Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-9-16)
vh Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-9-16)
Witnessing racial segregation: "that was kind of an eye-opener for me"
Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-9-17)
vh Francis Mas Fukuhara Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-9-17)
Recruitment, training, and the role of the Kibei in the Military Intelligence Service
Paul Bannai Interview II Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1000-150-1)
vh Paul Bannai Interview II Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1000-150-1)
Serving as language interpreter and translator overseas in the Pacific; setting up prisoner of war camp in the Philippines; wearing an Australian army uniform to avoid being mistaken for a Japanese soldier
Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-45-16)
vh Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-45-16)
A Kibei perspective on U.S. military service and serving the occupation forces
Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-45-20)
vh Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-45-20)
Recruiting for the Military Intelligence Service in the concentration camps
Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 31 (ddr-densho-1000-45-31)
vh Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 31 (ddr-densho-1000-45-31)
A Kibei perspective on U.S. military service and serving the occupation forces
Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-45-18)
vh Takashi Matsui Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-45-18)
Finishing basic training and being assigned to the Military Intelligence Service
Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 55 (ddr-densho-1000-153-55)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 55 (ddr-densho-1000-153-55)
Tutoring Caucasian junior officers in Japanese language

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as such.

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 49 (ddr-densho-1000-153-49)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 49 (ddr-densho-1000-153-49)
Being warned not to volunteer for the military's "spy school," but deciding to go anyway

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who …

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 83 (ddr-densho-1000-153-83)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 83 (ddr-densho-1000-153-83)
Taking a side trip to Hiroshima while stationed in Japan

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as such.

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 84 (ddr-densho-1000-153-84)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 84 (ddr-densho-1000-153-84)
Reactions to visiting Hiroshima after the atomic bombing

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as such.

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 53 (ddr-densho-1000-153-53)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 53 (ddr-densho-1000-153-53)
Dynamic between Kibei and Nisei at the MIS language school

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as such.

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 48 (ddr-densho-1000-153-48)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 48 (ddr-densho-1000-153-48)
Seizing an opportunity to leave camp by volunteering for the army

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as …

Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 51 (ddr-densho-1000-153-51)
vh Roy H. Matsumoto Interview Segment 51 (ddr-densho-1000-153-51)
Being inducted into the Military Intelligence Service

Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as such.

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