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

av Ishii family b-roll (ddr-densho-1007-1571)

No audio, video starts at 0:46. B-roll of various pictures belonging to the Ishiis, several of Chris' service. Original title: 68, II NY #55, Ishii, Ishii Family Pix

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1571/

av Interview with Arthur (Art) Morimitsu, part 4 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1752)

Morimitsu discusses the difficulty of getting promoted in the MIS and his time in Burma. Video starts at 0:17. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions in the background. Original title: 61B, II VFW #4, VFW - LA, Art Morimitsu, Feb. 15, 1987. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1753/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1752/

img Military Intelligence Service (ddr-densho-37-336)

Original caption: "Left, Tec. Sgt. Herbert Miyasaki, Paaulid, Hawaii, right, Tec. Sgt. Akiji Yoshimura, Colusa, Calif., American-Japanese interpreter with Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill's Infantry troops in Northern Burma. 5/1/44." Town in Hawaii may actually be Paauilo.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-336/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-252)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto from Yoshito Shibata in which he describes his reaction to letter she sent (appears to be the final version of the drafted letter in ddr-densho-356-250), congratulations to Kan and Sally's new baby, hope that this will be the last war ever, description of seeing koalas not kangaroos, discussion of the corresponding in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-252/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-220)

Envelope and letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he tells Yuriko about his transfer to Camp Savage to study Japanese and the general schedule of the language school. He inquires about her family's adjustment to life in the Assembly center and provides her with his new address.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-220/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-249)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he describes a recent visit to a military hospital at which he had a meaningful encounter with an amputee

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-249/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-258)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he tells of the journey her postcard took to reach him, his family's life in Chicago, and the change of routine now that he is out in the field.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-258/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-235)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he comforts Yuri on her misbehaving typewriter by sharing a Reader's Digest story, and his own typewriter's faults. He continues by discussing Yuri's sister's (Wakako Domoto) relocation to Denver, his recent skiing trip, the rash of promotions at Camp Savage, a prank by the mailroom staff, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-235/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-237)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata informing Yuri that he's mailed her a model Jeep made by another member of his unit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-237/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-256)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he thanks her for sending a news clipping along, discusses pests native to the area he is in and how they affected building construction, visiting a local home for tea, detailed answer about his mother writing in Japanese to him, his family's relocation to Chicago, weather …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-256/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-241)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he informs Yuri he's on furlough staying in a Hotel in Minneapolis. Additionally, he answers her question about New York and asks about a possible job. He also discusses visits from mutual friends like Tak Negi, and a future trip out to a local nursery to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-241/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-233)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata that includes a menu from Camp Savage's Christmas dinner. In the letter Yoshito writes about his happiness that the Christmas celebrations Yuri described in her last letter were joyful. He also writes about the gifts he mailed her, the gifts soldiers at Camp Savage received, wanting to carbon …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-233/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-226)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he tells about the USO building he is writing this letter from, his urgent need to return to Camp Savage to write up his report on his recent recruitment tour of WRA camps, and of a good Japanese restaurant he visited while on furlough.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-226/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-254)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he details his thoughts and feelings about recent news of governmental attempts to bar Japanese Americans from returning to the West Coast and the recent rulings in EO9066 test cases. He then continues the letter by describing a recent carnival near the base and movies he …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-254/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-234)

Letter to Yuri Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he thanks Yuri for her gift of sweets, and how it was shared with many members of his class. He continues on and explains the current schedule at Camp Savage, and an offer to buy items for the Domotos in Minneapolis. He also inquires about her …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-234/

doc Draft of letter to Yoshito Shibata from Yuri Domoto (ddr-densho-356-250)

Draft of a letter to Yoshito Shibata from Yuri Domoto Tsukada in which she talks about the dusty weather at Amache, the pain of evacuation, her family's joy at hearing from him, and notification of the birth of a nephew.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-250/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-259)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he talks about the difficulties of writing on a train by candlelight, his recent assignment to a Marine unit, responses to a letter Yuri wrote to him, facts about trains in Australia, his feelings on question 28, and inquires if the Domoto family has plans to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-259/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-263)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he speaks of his feelings for the loss of Kanetaro Domoto (Yuriko's father) and provides comfort and sympathy to Yuriko.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-263/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-253)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he recounts reading a pamphlet she sent him, and wonders if she or someone shouldn't write a book about the real camp experience.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-253/

doc Letter from Yoshito Shibata to Yuri Domoto (ddr-densho-356-216)

Envelope and letter addressed to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata. In the letter Yoshito writes about his memories of Easter and the possibility of how he will celebrate this year, inquires about Yuri's plans, his visits to Minneapolis and St. Paul, where he and other soldiers are asked if they are Japanese or Chinese, and if …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-216/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-255)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he tells high tales about the mosquitos in his area.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-255/

doc Letter to Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-212)

Two drafts of a letter to Yoshito Shibata from presumably Yuriko Domoto Tsukada in which she asks to talk in person about a photo she received from him.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-212/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-251)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he inquires about the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps being opening to Nisei and if Yuri or their mutual friend Tak were thinking about joining. Hints at his interesting work, but notes that he can not share it due to the censor.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-251/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-247)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he informs her that a backlog of letters were delivered to his unit causing him awe at the importance of communication while in the army, he also talks about visiting his hometown and offers to stop by the Domoto's nursery to check in on things for …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-247/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata (ddr-densho-356-242)

Letter to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Yoshito Shibata in which he informs Yuri of his new mailing address.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-242/