ddr-densho-535 — Tadashi Ishida Collection — Objects

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-26)

Tad got the weekend off and headed to Jacksonville with John Miyasaki, Ted Matsushima, and Shiro Uramoto. Says he'll tell his parents all about the trip on the following Monday. Parents' note on envelope back: (27) Thursday Oct 5, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-26/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-27)

Tad says Jacksonville is quite crowded and a good deal bigger than Salt Lake City. Says the locals were very friendly towards him and his friends, but he was upset by the racism he witnessed towards the Black population: "they sure treat the Negroes like dirt." While Tad was away, Zane Shironitta came to camp to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-27/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-28)

Tad thanks his parents for sending stamps. Says that during lineup for guard duty, an officer singled out Tad and another man as particularly well-prepared, so he only had to act as a relief. Tad is "a very proud boy" so proud I'm afraid I won't be able to wear the same sized hat again." Ends …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-28/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-29)

Tad says the GI glasses he received work well. His group learned how to hold their rifle, but they haven't shot it yet. Includes a story about how Tad and the other Japanese soldiers had to show the camp cooks how to properly cook rice. At first, "the cooks cooked it like all Caucasians do - …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-29/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-30)

Tad says he saw Kato Kawaguchi and that he heard Henry Fukui is in camp; Tad plans to see him when he gets a chance. Parents' note on envelope back: (31) Friday Oct 6, 1955 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-30/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-31)

Tad says that he read in the Pacific Citizen that PFC Takeshi Yatabe had been hurt; Tad says that he hopes Takeshi's parents aren't too worried. Tad tried to meet up with Hank (Henry) Fukui but they missed one another. The letter is written four weeks after Tad's arrival to camp. Tad says he'll be back …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-31/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-32)

Tad says they had their first go at the obstacle course in camp. Parents' note on envelope back: (33) Monday Oct. 9, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-32/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-33)

Written on a Sunday; Tad says they had some great Southern style fried chicken for lunch ("I wish you knew how to fry chicken like that."). Parents' note on envelope back: (34) Thursday Oct 12, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-33/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-34)

Tad says he didn't request a pass for this weekend: "...I didn't feel like going. It's just like going to a circus. Once you go, you're satisfied for quite awhile." Parents' note on envelope back: (35) Thursday Oct. 12, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-34/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-35)

Tad mentions that he got a letter from Aunt Tomi. The night before, he went to see the movie "Marriage is a Private Affair." Tad and his company fired their rifles for the first time, which he describes in detail. Includes a few drawings of the firing range. Ends with another funny story about Ted Matsushima. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-35/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-36)

Tad got paid that day ("Boy, oh boy, oh boy!"). Mentions that he saved a few shells from the shooting range for Freddy and Tommy. Tad also says he got a letter from Frank Okazaki (sp?). Parents' note on envelope back: (37) Oct. 13, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-36/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-37)

Another day spent at the firing range; Tad's score qualified him as a sharpshooter, the 4th best out of 150 men. Parents' note on envelope back: (38) Saturday Oct 14, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-37/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-38)

Another day at the firing range. Tad asks his parents to send a photo of themselves. On payday, some of the soldiers were disappointed at how little they were paid since some of their pay went to war bonds; Tad didn't purchase bonds and is grateful to have the extra cash. Parents' note on envelope back: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-38/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-39)

Another day at the firing range, where Tad scored high enough to be placed in the top quarter. Tad has kitchen duty the next day: "Boy, am I mad!" Parents' note on envelope back: (40) Tuesday Oct. 17, 1944 A.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-39/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-40)

Tad received photos from his parents. Asks them to send him a sweatshirt. Parents' note on envelope back: (41) Tuesday Oct. 17, 1944 P.M.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-40/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-41)

Tad says "I hope Fuji didn't kick you too hard" and asks how Fuji and Hiro (who seem to be family visiting Tad's parents) are doing. Mentions that he'll be getting a medal for his skill with a rifle. Earlier that day, Tad saw a movie called "The Battle of Russia" about Russian history from 1242-1943. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-41/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-42)

Tad says he thinks they'll fire bazookas later in the week. He saw a movie called "Tall in the Saddle" featuring John Wayne. Parents' note on envelope back: (43) Friday Oct 20, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-42/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-43)

Tad and company learned how to drive the army trucks. He mentions that they can either be 2-, 4-, or 6-wheel drive; says to ask To-chan about it. Includes a drawing of the truck. Parents' note on envelope back: (44) Monday Oct. 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-43/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-44)

Tad says the camp is in a hurricane zone but is out of the path of the worst of the storm. The rain and wind are heavy (speeds up to 60 mph) and everyone spent the entire day inside. Parents' note on envelope back: (45) Monday Oct 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-44/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-45)

Tad says to thank Kuri-san for the okashi and mame. Tad plans to go to Starke on Sunday and buy a cheap trumpet to "play around with." Parents' note on envelope back: 46 Monday Oct. 23, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-45/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-46)

Tad is sending a stamp that was sent from a Nisei soldier in France; he thinks To-chan might want it. He's also sending back a "dough boys hand book" with pictures of army life. Tad got a pass for the weekend, so he's heading to Starke. Earlier that day, Tad shot bazookas at the range. Parents' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-46/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-47)

Check-in letter from Camp Blanding after Tad's trip to Starke. In town, he bought a fatigue suit and a warmer army shirt for winter. Wasn't able to find a trumpet. He also bought some pin-up pictures: "my walls are covered with pin-up girls." That night, Tad and his friends saw a Kay Keyser film. Parents' note …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-47/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-48)

Tad got his rifle medal; the letter includes a sketch. Tad has been promoted to acting corporal, so his peers refer to him as Corporal Ishida, but he's still actually a private. Parents' note on envelope back: (49) Thursday Oct 26, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-48/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-49)

Tad is now responsible for 12 men; being promoted to corporal means a good deal more responsibility. The day before, Tad's company had "lessons in jungle warfare," which he describes in detail. Includes a drawing of one of the obstacles they had to cross. Parents' note on envelope back: (50) Saturday Oct 28, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-49/

doc Letter from Tadashi Ishida to Mr. & Mrs. Y Ishida (ddr-densho-535-50)

Tad says he might have another night drill ("night problem"), so he may not write that evening. Parents' note on envelope back: (51) Saturday Oct 28, 1944

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-535-50/

Tadashi Ishida Collection ddr-densho-535

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