The Army is co-hosting a Capitol Hill tribute to the Nisei linguists of World War II as part of the public release of a new history on Japanese-Americans in the Military Intelligence Service. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) is officiating the recognition ceremony March 20 at 4:00 p.m. in a special ceremony at the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 418. The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the U.S. Army and the Japanese-American Veterans Association are co-sponsors.
"Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service During WW II," was written by Dr. James C. McNaughton, who also will speak at the tribute. It is a 514-page history of the Japanese-American ("Nisei") Soldiers who served in the Asia Pacific Theater. The book was published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History and is available from the Government Printing Office.
At the start of World War II, the Army turned to Americans of Japanese ancestry, the Nisei, to provide vital intelligence against Japanese forces in the Pacific. These Soldiers translated captured enemy documents, questioned Japanese prisoners of war, intercepted communications, persuaded Japanese militia to surrender and deployed behind enemy lines to collect information. This new book tells how the Soldiers were recruited and trained, and how they served in every battle and campaign in the war against Japan.
Because their work remained a closely guarded secret during the war, this book fills this gap in historical understanding about World War II.
Discussing the "the genesis of Nisei Linguists" will be Dr. Jeffrey J. Clarke, CMH chief. Addressing the "MIS Experience, Southwest Pacific and Philippine Liberation" is retired Col. Harry K. Fukuhara. Grant Hirabayashi will talk about the famous Merrill's Marauders while Calvin Ninomiya speaks to the "MIS role in the Occupation of Japan."
-30-
For more information, contact Lt. Col. Carl S. Ey, (703) 614-2487, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Army. Reporters who want to attend the ceremony should contact Mr. Jon C. Yoshimura, communications director, Office of U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, at (202) 224-6361, fax: (202) 224-2126 and email: Jon_Yoshimura@akaka.senate.gov .
Social Sharing