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

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 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 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/

av Interview with Yukio Kawamoto, part 8 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1552)

Kawamoto discusses the bombing of Hiroshima, Video starts at 0:53, interview ends at 5:38. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Rest of tape is b-roll: a letter written by Kawamoto, photos from the war. Original title: 52, II NY #36, 6-85, Kawamoto Album Pix

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1552/

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/

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 Harry Fukuhara, part 4 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1700)

Fukuhara discusses the possibility of meeting his brother (who was in the Japanese army) on the battlefield, the mental struggles soldiers faced in Japan, and his thoughts on draft resisters. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 215, II JA #39, Harry Fukuhara, Sun. Feb. 2. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1701/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1700/

doc Army Japanese Linguists in Training (ddr-densho-1007-1385)

Author unknown, possibly Dick Hayashi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1385/

av Eric Saul gives John Burden and Shig Kihara a tour of the Presidio Army Museum (ddr-densho-1007-1786)

Burden and Kihara tour the Presidio Army Museum in San Francisco, guided by Eric Saul. Burden discusses weapons he brought back from the war and the equipment he used while serving. Original title: II B/K #4, Nisei Soldier Part 2, 12/18/85

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1786/

doc MIS 50th Anniversary news releases (ddr-densho-1007-1441)

Series of announcements sent out in 1990 and 1991 relating to the plans for the MIS 50th Anniversary celebration organized by the Military Intelligence Service Northern California veteran's association.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1441/

av Interview with Jacob Herzog, part 5 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1543)

Herzog discusses his experiences with Nisei soldiers in Saipan, his first deployment to Hawaii in 1942, and serving with the 27th Infantry Division. Video starts at 0:53. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 45, II NY #27, 6-85, Herzog. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1544/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1543/

doc Victor H. Abe interviewee form (ddr-densho-1007-1122)

Used for the film Color of Honor.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1122/

av Interview with Chris Ishii, part 1 of 7 (ddr-densho-1007-1555)

Ishii discusses producing propaganda leaflets with the OWI and serving in the China-Burma-India theater. Video starts at 0:44. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions in the background. Original title: II NY, #39, 6-85, Ishii. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1556/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1555/

av Interview with Jimmie Matsumura, part 2 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1606)

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, the difficulties his students faced, visiting his family at Heart Mountain, and the conflicting feelings his Nisei students had about military service. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1606/

av Interview with Monroe Sweetland, part 3 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1665)

Sweetland discusses meeting Frank Hachiya's father, the political climate in Hood River and the US at large post-war, meeting with Hugh Ball in Hood River, and his relationship with Frank Hachiya. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 149, II MON #17, 9-9-85, Monroe interview, fathe reaction, climate change, France could …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1665/

av Interview with Arthur (Art) Morimitsu, part 3 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1751)

Morimitsu discusses the importance of the Kibei for the MIS, his time at the Military Intelligence Service Language School, and his time serving overseas. Video starts at 0:22. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions in the background. Original title: 60B, II VFW #3, VFW - LA, Art Morimitsu, Feb. 16, 1987. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1752/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1751/

doc Annotated message from General John Weckerling (ddr-densho-1007-1115)

Likely annotated by Loni Ding.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1115/

av Interview with Don Oka, Steve Yagi, and Shigeo Ito, part 5 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1774)

Continued from ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1620/. Oka is on the left, Yagi in the center, and Ito on the right. Ito discusses the deaths of two Nisei on his team and the fear of being mistaken for a Japanese soldier. Oka discusses being interviewed for military intelligence at Camp Carson in Colorado, being treated differently than Caucasian soldiers, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1774/

av Interview with Harry Akune, part 2 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1755)

Akune tells the story of a jump on Corregidor Island. He tells the same story in another interview in this collection: objects ddr-densho-1007-1600 through ddr-densho-1007-1603. Akune also talks about an argument he had with a captain. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 64B, II VFW #7, VFW - LA, Harry …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1755/

av Interview with Arthur (Art) Morimitsu, part 6 of 6; interview with Harry Akune, part 1 of (ddr-densho-1007-1754)

Morimitsu discusses learning about the draft resisters after the war and his sympathy for draft resisters. Interview with Harry Akune starts at 3:58; Akune discusses his service with the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team in the Philippines, the story of a jump gone wrong, his service on Corregidor Island, how he often served alone (versus most …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1754/

doc Aiso interview questions (ddr-densho-1007-936)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-936/

av Interview with Harry Akune, part 3 of 3 (ddr-densho-1007-1756)

Akune discusses volunteering for the military from camp and advice he got from his old schoolteacher after volunteering. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 65B, II VFW #8, Roll 9, Harry Akune, 2-15-87, VFW-LA

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1756/

doc George Kanegai interview notes (ddr-densho-1007-915)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-915/

doc America's Superb Secret Human Weapon (ddr-densho-1007-1386)

Author unknown, associated with the Presidio Army Museum and the Northwest MIS veterans assocation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1386/