List of Japanese American Servicemen and Servicewomen in World War II

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This list contains the names of notable Japanese Americans who served in the United States Military and Intelligence Services in World War II.

Japanese Americans ethnic group

Japanese Americans are Americans who are fully or partially of Japanese descent, especially those who identify with that ancestry, along with their cultural characteristics. Japanese Americans were among the three largest Asian American ethnic communities during the 20th century; but, according to the 2000 census, they have declined in number to constitute the sixth largest Asian American group at around 1.4 million, including those of partial ancestry. According to the 2010 census, the largest Japanese American communities were found in California with 272,528, Hawaii with 185,502, New York with 37,780, Washington with 35,008, Illinois with 17,542, and Ohio with 16,995. Southern California has the largest Japanese American population in North America and the city of Torrance holds the densest Japanese American population in the 48 contiguous states.

World War II 1939–1945 global war

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. A state of total war emerged, directly involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombing, premeditated death from starvation and disease, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war.

Contents

A

John Fujio Aiso was an American nisei military leader, lawyer and judge. Aiso was the head instructor of the Military Intelligence Service Language School and the highest-ranking Japanese American in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was also the first Japanese American appointed as a judge in the contiguous United States.

Bumpei Akaji sculptor

Bumpei Akaji was an American sculptor from Hawaii. He was known for welding large copper and brass sculptures which can be seen all over Hawaii as part of Hawaii's Art in Public Places program.

George Tetsuo Aratani was a Japanese American entrepreneur, philanthropist and the founder of Mikasa china and owner of the Kenwood Electronics corporation.

B

F

Frank Fujita U.S. prisoner of war in WWII

Frank Fujita was a Japanese American soldier of the US Army who, during his service in World War II became one of only two Japanese American combat personnel to be captured by the Japanese. Part of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, he was captured during the Battle of Java when the Dutch surrendered.

Sadamitsu "S. Neil" Fujita was an American graphic designer known for his innovative book cover and record album designs.

Robert Kiyoshi Fukuda was an American politician, lawyer and former member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1959 to 1962.

H

Barney F. Hajiro United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Barney Fushimi Hajiro was an American combat veteran of World War II who received the Medal of Honor, the highest United States military award for valor.

Mikio Hasemoto United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Mikio Hasemoto was a soldier in United States Army. He is best known as a recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II during actions in Cerasuolo, Italy.

Joe Hayashi United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Joe J. Hayashi was a United States Army soldier. He is best known as a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

I

Chiyoki Ikeda was listed in the CIA Memorial Wall on May 14, 1997. Ikeda had possessed dual citizenship, but chose to renounce his Japanese citizenship in September 1940.

Daniel Inouye United States Senator from Hawaii (1963–2012)

Daniel Ken Inouye was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, he was President pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2010 until his death, making him the highest-ranking Asian-American politician in US history. Inouye also chaired various Senate Committees, including those on Intelligence, Commerce and Appropriations.

Dale Ishimoto was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born in Delta, Colorado in 1923 and was raised in Guadalupe, California.

K

M

N

O

S

T

Sojiro Takamura

U

Y

See also

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