MIS Exhibit in Auburn, Washington

The White River Valley Museum in Auburn is among the first museums to begin sharing the story of Japanese-American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army MIS as interrogators, linguists and counter-intelligence agents during World War II with the exhibit “Courage Untold” and a series of related events.

Courage, Heroes at White River
Valley Museum
In the spring of 1941 as diplomatic tensions mounted between the United States and Japan, the U.S. Army created the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) at the Presidio of San Francisco. The MIS Language School educated and trained select soldiers in Japanese language and culture. From 1941-1952 more than 6,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry, including many from the Pacific Northwest, graduated from the MIS Language School and served in various campaigns and battles in the Pacific and European Theaters of Operations during World War II. Thanks to their efforts in espionage, translation, interrogation and combat, Japanese-American MIS soldiers saved lives and helped shorten the war in the Pacific. 

MIS Veterans Panel Discussion
On Oct. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., join us for an exceptional panel discussion as MIS veterans Harry Fukuhara, Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, Takashi Matsui and Roy Hiroshi Matsumoto talk about their experiences serving in the U.S. Army MIS during World War II. The cost is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and free for students. 

Harry Fukuhara was born in Seattle, Wash. on Jan. 1, 1920. Fukuhara’s father passed away when he was a child and his mother decided to move back to Japan. Fukuhara’s father had earned money from small farm sales and Fukuhara had grown accustomed to a middle-class life in the United States. As a result, he did not want to move to Japan. His mother promised him he could return to the United States after he turned 18 and completed high school. Fukuhara did return to Seattle when he turned 18 and worked a series of small jobs. He eventually wound up in Los Angeles where he attended college. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the U.S. Army began evicting Japanese-Americans from their homes and into internment camps. After living in different camps for about six months, Fukuhara enrolled in the MIS Language School at Fort Snelling, Minn. During his time in the U.S. Army MIS, Fukuhara served in the Southwest Pacific Command and in Occupied Japan. He received three Bronze Stars. Read more about Harry Fukuhara here.

Grant Jiro Hirabayashi was born in Kent, Wash. on Nov. 9, 1919. At age 12, Hirabayashi went to Japan where he lived with relatives for eight years. He moved back to the United States in 1940 at the encouragement of a professor and completed high school. Three days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hirabayashi was drafted into the U.S. Army. At Jefferson Barracks in Missouri, he and 19 other Nisei enlistees were placed under protective custody and constant surveillance. They were released after 40 days of confinement in one building. Hirabayashi then enrolled into the MIS Language School. After graduating in July 1942, Hirabayashi became a member of Merrill's Marauders, a group of special combat soldiers under Gen. Frank D. Merrill's command who fought enemy troops in the Burmese jungles to clear the roads and airstrips for the Allied Forces. Hirabayashi received a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Distinguished Unit Badge and a Bronze Star. Read more about Grant Jiro Hirabayashi here.

Takashi Matsui was born in Hood River, Ore. on Jan. 20, 1917. As the eldest child, his parents sent him to Japan for schooling where he received 11 years of formal education. Matsui was drafted into the U.S. Army prior to Pearl Harbor and completed basic training at Camp Robinson in Arkansas. While he was at Camp Robinson, Matsui came across a booklet titled “How to Speak Japanese” and noted several errors to other soldiers. A Caucasian soldier overheard this conversation and reported it to the company commander. Two weeks later, Matsui found himself at the MIS Language School in Camp Savage, Minn. After graduating from the MIS Language School, Matsui was an instructor for a few years. During his time with the U.S. Army MIS, he served in the Continental U.S. Command and in Occupied Japan. Matsui received these honors for his service: Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Order of the Rising Sun, and Dual Rays. Read more about Takashi Matsui here:

Roy Hiroshi Matsumoto was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 1, 1913. As a teenager, Matsumoto went to live with his grandparents in Japan where he completed three years of middle school. He returned to the United States to complete his secondary education. Matsumoto was interned in a camp in Jerome, Arkansas in 1942. From there, he decided to volunteer for the U.S. Army MIS where he served 21 years in various capacities throughout the world. He was also a member of Merrill's Marauders and on numerous occasions single-handedly intercepted telephone communications between Japanese troops, relaying critical information to his superiors. Matsumoto received these honors for his service: Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, Rangers Hall of Fame and Legion of Merit. Read more about Roy Hiroshi Matsumoto here:

Heroes: A Presentation by Ken Mochizuki
Acclaimed local children’s author and journalist Ken Mochizuki will read from his book “Heroes”, as well as other books he has authored. In “Heroes”, Mochizuki and illustrator Dom Lee tell a moving story about Donnie, a Japanese-American child in the 1960s who is always made to play the bad guy during schoolyard games “because I look like them.” Donnie convinces his father and uncle to share with the school how they served in the U.S. Army during World War II. This inspiring book reading takes place Nov. 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. and is appropriate for families and all ages. Free with regular museum admission.

Film Screening of “Uncommon Courage: Patriotism and Civil Liberties”
“Uncommon Courage: Patriotism and Civil Liberties” is a dramatic and moving personal account of Japanese-American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army MIS during World War II and the Occupation of Japan. While these soldiers served in the face of fear and discrimination, many of their families living in America were incarcerated in camps and stripped of their civil liberties. Due to mature subject matter, this film is appropriate for viewers age 13 and older. Viewing is Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. and is free with regular museum admission.

Museum hours and admission
The White River Valley Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Regular museum hours are from noon to 4 p.m. and regular admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 for event information and to schedule group tours. Visit the museum online here.