The “MIS Unit and Individual Awards” is based on a sampling of about 900 of about 3,000 Japanese linguists who served in the Asia Pacific Theater during WWII. The data was derived from research of Army records, publications, MIS veterans organizations, veterans and families. Because general orders were not available to us, there might be duplicate data.
Japanese Americans were banned from serving in the Asia Pacific theater, however, an exception was made for Nisei linguists to translate documents, interrogate prisoners, monitor communications and enter caves to persuade Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender. They were assured of humane treatment. Intelligence produced by Nisei helped win battles and save American lives. 33 Nisei linguists died in line of duty.
Unlike the Nisei in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team which served in Europe as a unit and could maintain centralized unit records, the MIS personnel served in small numbers for brief periods of time in any unit which needed Japanese language support. Some commanders viewed their linguistic support passively, other commanders recognized Nisei contributions with combat awards. There was no procedure to report these individual awards to a central office.
This sampling of MIS Individual awards 1 ) illustrates the number of Nisei who were engaged in front line duties; 2 ) demonstrates Nisei willingness to fight soldiers of their parent’s homeland, the acid test of loyalty to their nation; and 3 ) reflects Caucasian soldiers’ change of attitude from total hatred of all ethnic Japanese, including Nisei, to total support of Nisei to vouch for their loyalty.
This MIS List of Unit and Individual Awards, a work in progress (WIP), is a tribute to the men and women who served as Japanese linguists during WWII.
-Terry Shima
Please send questions or comments to: njahs@njahs.org