With the cutting of a red, white and blue ribbon, the National Japanese American Historical Society reached a major milestone 20 years in the making. The Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center officially opened its doors to the public Nov. 11 on Veteran’s Day. Building 640, located next to Crissy Field in San Francisco’s Presidio, […]
Nisei veterans recognized at opening of MIS Historic Learning Center
November 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
A reflection on heroism
July 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea Written and photographed by Tom Graves. (San Francisco: Nassau & Witherspoon, 2013, 182 pp., $45, hardcover) Tom Graves’ photobook is the product of an impressive labor of love. Graves, a San Francisco-based writer and photographer, spent 10 years collecting photos and stories of the Nisei contingent […]
An inclusive tribute to the Nisei WWII veterans
January 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
PROUD TO SERVE: JAPANESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS Edited by Chris Komai (Los Angeles: Rafu Shimpo and Japanese American Living Legacy 2012, 390 pp., $29.95, paperback) This is a wonderful compilation and recognition of Nisei men and women who served in all the units besides Military Intelligence Service, 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental […]
Hawai‘i political icon Sen. Inouye, third in line of presidency, dies at 88
December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A decorated World War II veteran, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, died Dec. 17. He was 88. Hawai‘i’s most senior politician passed away from respiratory complications at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., his office said in a statement issued Dec. 17. According to the statement, […]
Congressional Gold Medal, awarded to WWII Nikkei vets, to tour seven cities
October 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Last November, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Japanese American World War II veterans in recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments while serving in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service. The medal will travel to seven cities across the country beginning in January 2013, the Smithsonian Institution […]
SERVICE, SACRIFICE AND SELFLESSNESS: Sacramento honors WWII veterans
May 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Soaring six stories high in the courtyard, the California State Museum’s Constitution Wall proclaimed in huge words “rights,†“redress,†“without discrimination†and “liberty†to the some 300 well-wishers of the Japanese American World War II veterans honored on May 26. This was the striking backdrop as Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) presented almost […]
Nisei war veteran donates Congressional Gold Medal to UC Berkeley
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
BERKELEY, Calif. — Dr. Kenji Sayama is one of University of California, Berkeley’s staunchest supporters. He is forever grateful to the university for taking the extra step in sending his diploma in 1942 to the Santa Anita Assembly Center — despite being a few weeks shy of graduating as a senior. That action, under the […]
‘Secret Weapon’ divulges the feelings and stories behind the MIS’ experience
May 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The courage and sacrifice of Nisei servicemen in World War II is well-known among Japanese Americans. Along with the mass incarceration of West Coast Nikkei during that same period, it’s probably the most famous and defining part of our history. Their story, though, has largely been told in broad strokes. It goes something like this: At a time when America questioned […]
San Francisco Nisei veterans honored
May 4, 2012 by 1 Comment
In a brief, emotion-filled ceremony highlighted by words of praise from House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Japanese American veterans who served in World War II were honored at the Congressional Gold Medal Northern California Regional Tribute on April 22 in San Francisco’s Japantown. In all, more than 350 people, some of whom traveled as […]
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The M.I.S.: We looked like the enemy, but we were Americans at heart
By MAJOR GEN. (Retired) ARTHUR ISHIMOTO (Editor’s Note: The following was the keynote presentation at the Nov. 11 opening of the Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center.) I was a member of the Military Intelligence Service during World War II. This building has a connection to all of us who served in the MIS. We […]