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Archives Spotlight: Remembering Nisei Veterans
During World War II, thousands of Japanese Americans served in the U.S. military. Nearly 80 years later, as the number of Nisei veterans with firsthand memories of this history dwindles,…
Photo Essay: Japanese American Military Service during WWII
Despite facing extreme race-based scrutiny and suspicion, Japanese Americans served in the U.S. military during WWII in disproportionate numbers—even as many of their families were stuck in government-run concentration camps….
How We Remember the Rescue of the Lost Battalion
The rescue of the “Lost Battalion” holds a near-mythical place in Japanese American history. Over the years, dozens (if not hundreds) of films, novels, memoirs, history texts, exhibitions, and even…
Nisei Veterans of World War II: Photo Essay and Resource List
“No loyal citizen of the United States should be denied the democratic right to exercise the responsibilities of his citizenship, regardless of his ancestry….Americanism is not, and never was, a…
Student Uncovers Family History during Densho Internship
Over the summer, we welcomed Kyle Tanemura as an intern at Densho. Kyle, a junior at California Polytechnic State University majoring in computer sciences, made important contributions to Densho, particularly in…
Intersections: Hispanic and Japanese American History
While the incarceration of people of Japanese descent throughout Latin America has been the focus of a number of studies, little has been written about interactions between Hispanic and Japanese American communities in…
Hiroshima and the Japanese American Hibakusha
In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, people across the globe are commemorating the lives lost and impacted by this tragedy. The anniversary also provides an opportunity…
Photo Essay: Honoring Fallen WWII Japanese American Soldiers
Between 1942 and 1945, thousands of soldiers of Japanese descent served in the US armed forces. In less than two years, one of their best known units—the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental…
Tosh Yasutake: Treating Soldiers with “Shell-Shock”
Tosh Yasutake served as a medic with I Company, 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In this clip, he talks about how to treat soldiers, including the medic he replaced, who suffered…
Loni Ding Collection
We are very pleased to have recently received a collection from the family of acclaimed filmmaker Loni Ding of the raw materials used to make her influential documentaries Nisei Soldier: Standard…
Roy H. Matsumoto: Shouting Military Orders in Japanese to Confuse the Enemy
In 2003, Densho interviewed the 90-year-old Roy Matsumoto who recounted his incredible story of fighting in the jungles of Burma with Merrill’s Marauders against the Japanese. Roy saved his unit…
Gordon Yamada: Serving with the MIS
Gordon Yamada served with the Military Intelligence Service during and after World War II and in Japan during the U.S. occupation. In this clip, he talks about his early days…
Senator Daniel Inouye: Leadership Tactics During Combat
Senator Daniel Inouye served as an officer with the 442ndRegimental Combat Team during World War II. In this clip, he talks about his techniques for reducing casualties among the soldiers…
Fred Shiosaki: Meeting a Member of the “Lost Battalion” After the War
Fred Shiosaki served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II, including one of the campaigns, the “Rescue of the Lost Battalion.” In this clip, he remembers how…
Sen. Daniel Inouye: Injured in Battle
Senator Daniel Inouye, longtime Senator from Hawaii, served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. In this clip, he describes a battle in which he lost his…
Wartime Irony
A friend told us today about an NPR story of interest. At the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, General David Petraeus honored veterans who helped to liberate the Nazi concentration…
KABC news story about Rescue of the Lost Battalion
KABC in Los Angeles did an excellent TV news story about the 65th anniversary reunion of the men who were at the rescue of the Lost Battalion. The 442nd Regimental…
Profile in Courage: George Sakato and a Belated Medal of Honor
“I’m no hero, but I wear it for the guys that didn’t come back.” — George “Joe” Sakato George T. Sakato is the great-great-great-grandson of a samurai. Perhaps that explains…
Embargoed Interview: Ehren Watada
This month we announced the addition of what could be a controversial interview to the Densho Digital Archive. In our October eNews, you can preview a video clip of Densho’s…
Side Trip to Fort Snelling
Returning from a short trip to Minneapolis last weekend, I spotted a sign for Fort Snelling on the way to the airport. The fort is perched above the picturesque confluence…
Homecoming for Heroes: Veterans Gala in Houston
The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation asks Densho to spread the word about the “Homecoming for Heroes” gala on November 1. The event honors Nisei and Texan veterans whose lives…
Hero on the 4th of July
Over the 4th of July holiday, I remembered a news item from the last days of June. Seattle’s historic federal courthouse was rededicated after a three-year renovation. In 2001 the…
Separated by Generations, United in History
I have mixed reactions to this week’s Seattle Times article about our Nisei vets. Densho admires their phenomenal courage, as documented in many interviews in our Digital Archive. Also documented…
40 years ago: Vice President Inouye?
Audio tapes from President Johnson’s last months in office were released yesterday. These tapes confirm conversations I’ve had with Senator Inouye about the serious discussions that were taking place to…