Military Intelligenc

Military Intelligence Service (MIS)

One of the little known contributions made by Japanese Americans in World War II was their roles as interpreters, in military intelligence in the Pacific Theater. Over 6,000 Nise i and Kibeis accomplished training at them Military Intelligence Service (MIS) schools. Around 3,700 went on to serve in battle with Australian, British, Chinese, American, New Zealand, and other allied forces. Their translation of Japanese codes led to a victorious triumph for America on an air raid.

Some of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team soldiers in Camp Shelby were recruited by Military Intelligence Service and the Office of Strategic Services to serve in the Pacific theater as Japanese language interpreters, translators, and counter intelligence agents.

Col. M. F. Smith with interpreter

Many of the men from Hawaii had completed ten to twelve years of language education. Then men in the MIS underwent intensive, accelerated language education to acquire proficiency in military terminology. They also received training in counter intelligence. When they got to the front, they were doubly jeopardized, subject to both enemy fire and friendly fire because of their physical resemblance to the enemy.

The War Department budgeted $2,000 to start the first Army Japanese language school. On November 1, 1941, the Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) began in an abandoned aircraft hangar on Crissy Field, in San Francisco's Presidio. The first class consisted 4 Nisei instructors and 60 students&emdash;58 Nisei and 2 Caucasians. After the war broke out, the language school was moved to Minnesota, first at Camp Savage, then to Ft. Snelling. In its peak year in 1946, there were 160 instructors, 3,000 students, and more than 125 classrooms.

The Military Intelligence Service (MIS) became a very valuable resource. This was because there was a need for linguists to interrogate Japanese prisoners and interpret Japanese documents. The Nisei were put to work interpreting for military government teams. These teams located imprisoned Americans. For example, eight Military Intelligence Service (MIS) workers worked on the Atomic Bomb Survey, War Crimes Trail, Civil Affairs, and the Allied Translator and Interpreter Service.

Military Intelligence Service language school parade

The Military Intelligence Service seemed to have a small part in World War II, but in reality they had a tremendous part in the war. These "warriors in silence" not only did their job in secrecy, they did it great. The MIS faced great odds and a great personal sacrifice. But they still did their what they were supposed to do.

Resources

The Military Intelligence Service Project:
http://www.nikkeiheritage.org/research/mis.html

Nisei WWII MIS Veterans:
http://www.javadc.org/index.htm

WWII Japanese-American linguists honored
http://www.starbulletin.com/97/05/05/news/story2.html