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
Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-23-1)
vh Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-23-1)
Helping to establish the Military Intelligence Service Language School

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the …

Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1004-23-2)
vh Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1004-23-2)
Being recruited help establish the MIS language school

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1004-23-4)
vh Shigeya Kihara Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1004-23-4)
Description of John Aiso

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-3-1)
vh James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-3-1)
The beginnings of the Military Intelligence Service Language School

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the …

James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1004-3-3)
vh James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1004-3-3)
The role of the Nisei and Kibei in the Military Intelligence Service Language School

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views …

James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1004-3-9)
vh James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1004-3-9)
The role of women in the Military Intelligence Service

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the …

James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1004-3-7)
vh James C. McNaughton Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1004-3-7)
Description of John Aiso

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Gordon Yamada Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-2-1)
vh Gordon Yamada Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1004-2-1)
Drafted into the Military Intelligence Service

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Grant Hirabayashi Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1004-11-7)
vh Grant Hirabayashi Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1004-11-7)
Description of interrogation tactics

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Roy Takai Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1004-5-6)
vh Roy Takai Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1004-5-6)
Thoughts on service with the MIS: "We were helping to defeat the enemy and helping our country"

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily …

Roy Takai Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1004-5-3)
vh Roy Takai Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1004-5-3)
Description of work translating documents

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Kazuo Yamane Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1004-20-5)
vh Kazuo Yamane Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1004-20-5)
Translating a critical captured Japanese military register

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Hiro Nishimura Interview Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-237-17)
vh Hiro Nishimura Interview Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-237-17)
The competitive nature of training for the Military Intelligence Service
George Yamada Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-187-24)
vh George Yamada Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-187-24)
Memories of the Military Intelligence Service

This interview was conducted as part of a project to capture stories of the Japanese American community of Spokane, Washington. Densho worked in collaboration with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

George Yamada Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-187-23)
vh George Yamada Segment 23 (ddr-densho-1000-187-23)
Serving stateside with the Military Intelligence Service

This interview was conducted as part of a project to capture stories of the Japanese American community of Spokane, Washington. Densho worked in collaboration with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

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