How else did the Japanese Americans contribute to American military operations during World War II?
While the Nisei fighting units battled in the European campaign, Japanese Americans made great contributions to the Allied efforts in the Pacific theater. Even before the Pearl Harbor attack, the military recognized the need for intelligence personnel fluent in Japanese, and established the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Language School in San Francisco and later at Camp Savage, Minnesota. 85% of MIS graduates were Nisei who served with distinction as translators, interpreters, and interrogators on the Pacific front. These Nisei became known as “Yankee Samurai.” Nisei women also contributed to the war effort, volunteering in the WAC, or Women’s Army Corps. Over 300 Nisei women served at army bases throughout the country, and seven were trained as translators. Back to top.
