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 (283)
Military service (4309)
Military Intelligence Service (1389)

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1389 items

doc 312th Intelligence Unit (ddr-densho-1007-958)

Brief history of the 312th Intelligence Unit during WWII, which was led by Shigeo Ito, an interviewee for The Color of Honor.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-958/

av Interview with John Burden and Shig Kihara, part 4 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1791)

Burden discusses avoiding being sent to the Battle of New Georgia after the Guadalcanal campaign, bringing souvenirs back to Camp Savage, and the difficulties of serving in the jungle. Eric Saul and Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II B/K #9, Burden/Kihara tape I, 12/15/85

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1791/

av Interview with John Burden (ddr-densho-1007-1655)

Burden discusses growing up in Japan, the difference between Nisei and Japanese nationals, the accomplishments of Nisei soldiers, the difference in the treatment of Niseis before and after the war. Loni Ding can and her crew can be heard in the background. Original title: 140, II B/K #10, Burden/Kihara, 12/15/85

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1655/

av Interview with Sho Nomura, part 3 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1612)

Nomura discusses his father's reaction to him volunteering for the army from Gila River, visiting his parents in camp on furlough before his deployment, his service in China with the U.S. Observer Group (also known as the Dixie Mission), Video starts at 0:23. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 95, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1612/

img Troops and signatures (ddr-densho-1007-415)

Back reads "MISLS" and "Z."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-415/

doc Faubion Bowers autobiography (ddr-densho-1007-1091)

Discusses Bowers' experience in WWII. Unclear who this was intended for, possibly Loni Ding.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1091/

av Conversation between Eric Saul and John Burden; Shig Kihara on Caucasian officers and Nisei soldiers (ddr-densho-1007-1787)

Saul and Burden discuss Burden's knowledge of Japanese and Burden's relationship with Japanese people in Japan and on Maui. Kihara discusses why the Pentagon wanted Caucasian officers leading Nisei in Japan, the relationships between Caucasian officers and Nisei soldiers (with examples), and a few stories about Judge Eugene Wright. Original title: II B/K #5, Burden/Kihara tape …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1787/

av Interview with George Kanegai (ddr-densho-1007-1581)

Kanegai discusses his time at the MISLS, serving overseas in Australia with ATIS, and the sinking of two Japanese submarines in Dutch Harbor. Video starts at 0:29. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Significant wind noise. Original title: II LA #8, Kanegai III Car Interview, wind problem, 7-23-85

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1581/

doc MIS 50th Anniversary reception (ddr-densho-1007-1445)

Annotated, presumably by Loni Ding.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1445/

av Interview with Don Oka, Steve Yagi, and Shigeo Ito, part 4 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1620)

Oka on the left, Yagi in the center, and Ito on the right. The three discuss their service in the Pacific. Ito and Yagi talk about their families' internment in Poston. Video starts at 0:25. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II LA #50, 7-26-85, Oka, Yagi, Ito IV. Interview …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1620/

av Interview with Chris Ishii, part 2 of 7 (ddr-densho-1007-1556)

Ishii discusses his internment in the Amache camp, volunteering for the military, and his childhood as a Nisei. Video starts at 0:57. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 55, II NY #40, 6-85, Ishii. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1557/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1556/

av Interview with Jim Ariyasu, part 1 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1596)

Ariyasu discusses going to school to become a commissioned officer, his dreams of becoming a surgeon, his mother's health issues during his childhood, and the Japanese language testing he did upon joining the military. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 82, II LA #23, 7-24-85, Jim Ariyasu Interview II. Interview …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1596/

doc MISLS Album - History of MISLS (ddr-densho-1007-1114)

Mentioned in ddr-densho-1007-1113.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1114/

av Interview with Harry Fukuhara, part 6 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1637)

Fukuhara discusses the reasons why some Nisei did not join the military, why he volunteered, his feelings on incarceration, and discrimination he faced in the US. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Video ends at 20:00. Original title: 123, II SJ #29, 8-17-85, Harry's House SJ

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1637/

av Interview with Harry Akune, part 4 of 4; balcony conversation (ddr-densho-1007-1603)

Akune discusses a combat jump he performed on Corregidor Island, his time with the 503rd Infantry Regiment, receiving a parachutist badge, and returning from the war. Video starts at 0:30, interview ends at 17:31. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Rest of tape is footage of Harry and Ken Akune, George Kanegai, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1603/

doc Manny Goldberg contact information (ddr-densho-1007-923)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-923/

av Interview with Jim Ariyasu, part 4 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1599)

Ariyasu discusses his service in New Caledonia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines, receiving a Bronze Star medal, and the difficulty of receiving an actual rank in the military. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 85, II LA #26, 7-24-85, Ariyasu Interview V. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1600/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1599/

doc MIS 50th anniversary reunion signup (ddr-densho-1007-1086)

Loni Ding spoke at this reunion.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1086/

doc Yoshito Fujimoto interviewee form (ddr-densho-1007-1123)

Used for the film Color of Honor.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1123/

av Interview with Harry Akune, part 2 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1601)

Akune discusses his decision to volunteer, his brothers in the Japanese army, his reaction to Pearl Harbor, the Japanese occupation in Manchuria, his time in language school, his family after the war, meeting his wife, his time in Chicago, and his translation work in the army in Brisbane. Video starts at 0:30. Loni Ding can be …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1601/

doc Letter from Hachiro Hashiguchi to Haruo Hashiguchi (ddr-densho-474-245)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-245/

av B-roll for The Color of Honor; interview with Don Oka, Steve Yagi, and Shigeo Ito, part 1 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1617)

Video starts at 0:22. B-roll of photos and documents related to Corregidor Island until 11:11, when an interview with Don Oka, Steve Yagi, and Shigeo Ito begins. Oka is on the left, Yagi in the center, and Ito on the right. Ito discusses moving from the infantry to interpreter work with the military. The three then …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1617/

doc Minoru (Min) Hara autobiography (ddr-densho-1007-921)

Account of Minoru (Min) Hara's life and service in WWII. Mentions several other Nisei soldiers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-921/

Balcony conversation between George Kanegai, Yosh Yamada, and Jimmie Matsumura ; interview with Jimmie Matsumura, part 1 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1605)

av Balcony conversation between George Kanegai, Yosh Yamada, and Jimmie Matsumura ; interview with Jimmie Matsumura, part 1 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1605)

Matsumura discusses his time teaching at the 4th Army Military Intelligence School in San Francisco, his experience with John Aiso, his trouble with white officers, and being denied the rank he was promised. Interview starts at 3:20. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: II LA #32, 7-24-85, J. Matsumura Interview …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1605/

doc MIS 50th Anniversary Reunion donor list (ddr-densho-1007-1092)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1092/