Japanese-American Soldiers in WWII

Japanese-American Soldiers Fought for the US Amidst Internment

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the internment of Japanese-Americans. Meanwhile, on June 12, 1942, the US Army activated the 100th Infantry Battalion, comprised of Japanese-American soldiers, in Honolulu, Hawaii, under the command of Colonel Charles Pence. Daniel Inouye, a future US Senator, was among the soldiers who enlisted, leaving behind his family in an internment camp in Hawaii.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Japanese-Americans were uniformly opposed to serving in the US military during World War II, given the harsh treatment of their families in internment camps. The standard story goes that the US government's actions were so discriminatory that Japanese-Americans would not have wanted to fight for their country. However, this narrative overlooks the complexities and nuances of the time, including the experiences of Japanese-American soldiers who did choose to serve.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Franklin Odo notes that by 1943, over 10,000 Japanese-American soldiers had enlisted to fight for the US, despite the fact that their families were being held in internment camps. On January 28, 1943, the US Army activated the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all-Japanese-American unit, which would go on to become one of the most decorated units in US history. According to historian Beth Bailey, the 442nd was formed in part due to the efforts of Japanese-American leaders like Mike Masaoka, who lobbied the US government to allow Japanese-Americans to serve. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team suffered over 800 casualties in a single battle in October 1944, yet they continued to fight with distinction, earning numerous awards and accolades. By 1945, Japanese-American soldiers had fought in key battles in Europe and the Pacific, including the liberation of Bruyeres, France, on October 12, 1944, and the capture of the island of Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945. Historian Chester Tanaka writes that the bravery and sacrifice of Japanese-American soldiers ultimately helped to shift public opinion and pave the way for the closure of the internment camps. On December 17, 1944, the US War Department announced that the 442nd Regimental Combat Team would be deployed to the European Theater, where they would distinguish themselves in combat. The experiences of Japanese-American soldiers during this period are a testament to the complexities of loyalty, duty, and identity during wartime.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and government officials actively worked to suppress the story of Japanese-American soldiers fighting for the US while their families were in internment camps. The US government, particularly the War Department, made a conscious decision to downplay the role of these soldiers in order to avoid drawing attention to the internment camps. By doing so, they hoped to prevent criticism of the government's treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The media also played a role in burying this story, as many journalists and newspapers at the time chose not to report on the contradicting narratives of Japanese-American patriotism and internment. One concrete reason why this history was not told is that the US government classified many documents related to the internment camps and the Japanese-American soldiers, making it difficult for researchers to access the information. The classification of these documents was a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth and prevent the story from being told.

The Ripple Effect

The experiences of Japanese-American soldiers during World War II had a direct impact on the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese-Americans who were interned during the war. This legislation was a direct result of the efforts of Japanese-American veterans and their families, who fought for years to have their story acknowledged and to receive compensation for the injustices they suffered. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism, which was dedicated in 2001 to honor the Japanese-American soldiers who fought in World War II. The memorial is a testament to the struggles and sacrifices made by these soldiers and their families.

The Line That Says It All

The US government paid $20,000 to each surviving Japanese-American internee as part of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, a sum that barely scratches the surface of the injustices they endured.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Japanese-American internment and military service during World War II.