The FAQs are classified by topic. Find the topic you are interested in and click the appropriate question.

General information about MIS
• How many people were in the Military Intelligence Service?
• When and where did MIS form?

Language training and instruction
• Where was the first MIS Language School? When did it start?
• Why did the language school move so many times?
• Who were the instructors for the language schools? How were they recruited?
• Who were the students of the language schools? How were they recruited?
• What was the typical curriculum like?

World War II
• How many MIS soldiers participated in World War II? Did they participate in the Pacific War only, or did some become involved in actions in Europe?
• What main battles and campaigns did MIS men participate in?
• What were the main responsibilities of the MIS linguists?
• Were any MIS members killed during the war?
• What awards and commendations did the MIS men receive?

Occupation
• How many MIS soldiers participated in Occupation activities?
• Where were they stationed in Japan? What were their main responsibilities?
• Where did the MIS linguists go after Occupation?

Korean War
• How many MIS soldiers participated in the Korean War?
• How were the MIS soldiers involved in the Korean War?

Information about MIS associations
• How many MIS associations are there? Where are they based?
• How can I get in touch with an association?
• What type of activities do the associations offer?

Information about MIS oral history archives and research
• How can I get more information about and/or access to the MIS archives?
• I have information about an MIS member that I would like to share with you. What would be the best way to do so?
• I would like to use information from your web site. What is the proper citation and/or credit line?

Answers to FAQs

General information about MIS

• How many people were in the Military Intelligence Service?

More than 6,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry graduated from the MIS Language School and served in various campaigns and battles in the Pacific War and in the European Theater.

• When and where did MIS form?

In 1941, the U.S. Army created the Military Intelligence Service at the Presidio of San Francisco as the Fourth Army Intelligence School.

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Language training and instruction

• Where was the first MIS Language School? When did it start?

The first MIS Language School (then called the Fourth Army Intelligence School) was established at the Presidio of San Francisco, in an abandoned airplane hangar at Crissy Field. See a photo of Building 640.

At its peak (1946) MISLS had 3,000 students and 160 instructors, spread over 125 classrooms.

• Why did the language school move so many times?

MISLS moved from California to Camp Savage, Minnesota in June 1942 due to Executive Order 9066, which subsequently forced Japanese Americans out of the West Coast. With rapidly increasing enrollment, the school faced a shortage of space and found larger facilities at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In 1946 the school made its final move to the Presidio of Monterey, California and was renamed the Defense Language Institute.

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• Who were the instructors for the language schools? How were they recruited?

The first group of MISLS instructors were chosen by Lt. Col. John Weckerling, commandant of the language school. In later years, some of the top students from the school served as instructors. Other teachers were recruited from places such as detention camps and Japanese language programs at colleges and universities.

• Who were the students of the language schools? How were they recruited?

Most students of MISLS were Nisei (second-generation Japanese American) or Kibei (Japanese Americans who received formal education in Japan). Some Caucasian officers also took language training. At the time of matriculation, Japanese language ability of the students ranged from minimal to near-native fluency.

Recruiters for the school screened students based on their personal files that contained information about their ethnic background as well as language training. Best candidates for MISLS were then interviewed. When the demand for more language specialists rose sharply as the war progressed toward the end of 1942, the U.S. Army turned to the relocation camps as well as Hawaii’s 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team for volunteers.

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• What was the typical curriculum like?

In its beginning years, the academic program concentrated on training students in Japanese military language (heigo), Japanese geography, and ability to read Japanese cursive writing (sosho), in addition to classes in Japanese grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. To prepare for the Occupation, MISLS instructors adjusted the curriculum in later years to shift focus toward Japanese civil affairs, politics, economy, culture, and other subjects that would ease communication between the Japanese populace and Americans to help rebuild the country in postwar times.

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World War II

• How many MIS soldiers participated in World War II? Did they participate in the Pacific War only, or did some become involved in actions in Europe?

Most members of the Military Intelligence Service served in World War II, with the majority participating in the Pacific War. Some MIS linguists conducted intelligence work in Europe under General Eisenhower's Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces.

• What main battles and campaigns did MIS men participate in?

Members of the Military Intelligence Service participated in every major battle and campaign in the Pacific and China-Burma-India, from the first campaign in Alaska to the final battle in Okinawa. For more information, see Campaigns (provide hyperlink).

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• What were the main responsibilities of the MIS linguists?

MIS linguists translated captured documents, interrogated prisoners of war, and intercepted and translated radio messages. Although technically noncombatants, however always soldiers first, many found themselves on the battleground alongside soldiers braving enemy fire. A great number also participated in cave flushing duties. Some MIS Nisei were also part of special units such as Merrill’s Marauders and the Dixie Mission, in which they faced extraordinary circumstances and physical hardships.

• Were any MIS members killed during the war?

Yes. Nine MIS men were killed in action during World War II. Another 15 MIS soldiers died in non-battle-related incidents during the war.

MIS Linguists Killed in Action

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• What awards and commendations did the MIS men receive?

MIS members received some of the highest military honors during World War II. Many were awarded with the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and various decorations from Japan, China, the Philippines, and Great Britain. In 2000, the U.S. government awarded MIS the Presidential Unit Citation. For more information, see Honors.

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Occupation

• How many MIS soldiers participated in Occupation activities?

More than 5,000 MIS Nisei participated in major assignments during the Occupation.

• Where were they stationed in Japan? What were their main responsibilities?

While many joined the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) in Tokyo, others were scattered in different cities throughout Japan. MIS members were involved in every aspect of the Occupation, including providing assistance during the war crimes trials, conducting liaison work with the Japanese government, and processing Japanese repatriates from places such as Siberia and China. Some others also became involved in civil affairs, military government activities, disarmament, and other intelligence work (for example, with the Counter Intelligence Corps or Civil Censorship Detachment). While most remained on active status, others separated from the Army but continued to work in Occupied Japan in civilian roles.

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• Where did the MIS linguists go after Occupation?

While some chose to remain in Japan and continue liaison and/or intelligence work, others found employment with Japanese companies and stayed in Japan for a period of time. Many, however, elected to be discharged from military service and returned to the United States. Others served as career military personnel and rotated back to the United States.

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Korean War

• How many MIS soldiers participated in the Korean War?

Several hundred MIS men served in Korea. Many Japanese-American veterans of World War II were recalled to active duty to fight in the Korean War.

• How were the MIS soldiers involved in the Korean War?

Many MIS linguists were assigned to frontline units to conduct intelligence work. Some worked as interpreters (many Koreans spoke fluent Japanese but little English) and translators while others interrogated prisoners of war. Language detachments to which MIS linguists were assigned became known as Interrogation of POW Teams, or IPOWs. As stated, MIS linguists were vital ast here were few English speaking Korean translators. This meant that in some cases, MIS linguits asked questions in Japanese and the interpretor (Korean-Japanese) questioned the prisoner in Korean and vice versa. The MIS linguist made the written report in English.

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Information about MIS associations

• How many MIS associations are there? Where are they based?

Currently, there are five main MIS associations covering various regions throughout the United States. There are also Japanese-American veterans organizations and VFW in which MIS members participate.

• How can I get in touch with an association?

You can contact the association closest to your place of residence.

Allen Meyer
c/o Chicago American Legion Post 1183
111 West Washington Street, Suite 1025
Chicago, Illinois 60602

Japanese-American Veterans Association (JAVA)
P. O. Box 391
Vienna, VA 22183-0391

Japanese American Veterans of Minnesota
c/o Edwin Nakasone
4587 Lake Avenue
White Bear Lake, MN 55100

MIS Association of Northern California (MIS NorCal)
c/o National Japanese American Historical Society
1684 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115-3604
Phone: (415) 921-5007
Email: njahs@njahs.org
http://www.njahs.org

MIS Club Northwest Association
c/o Arthur Yorozu
6030 51st Place South
Seattle, WA 98818-2906

MIS Club of Southern California
707 East Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

MIS Veterans Club of Hawaii
c/o Frank Takao
5244 Kilauei Ave.
Honoulu, HI 96816

Rocky Mountain MIS Veterans Club
P. O. Box 1229
Denver, CO 80202

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• What type of activities do the associations offer?

Most associations hold regularly scheduled meetings and reunions. They also conduct educational programs, sponsor and participate in patriotic events, and provide social functions throughout the year. For more information about particular association activities, please contact the association directly.

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Information about MIS oral history archives and research

• How can I get more information about and/or access to the MIS archives?

You can contact the MIS Association of Northern California (MIS NorCal). Currently, the MIS archives are housed at the National Japanese American Historical Society in San Francisco. The archives contain many original documents and photographs pertaining to MIS activities.

National Japanese American Historical Society
1680 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115-3604

• I have information about an MIS member that I would like to share with you. What would be the best way to do so?

You can contact the MIS association closest to your residence (see above for contact information). You can also contact the National Japanese American Historical Society.

National Japanese American Historical Society
1684 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 921-5007
Email: njahs@njahs.org
http://www.njahs.org

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• I would like to use information from your web site. What is the proper citation and/or credit line?

For a citation, use the following:

Military Intelligence Service Association of Northern California. Military Intelligence Service Resource Center. <http://www.njahs.org/misnorcal>.

For a credit line, use the following:

Copyright 2003 MIS Association of Northern California. All rights reserved.

Permission is granted to use and reproduce information from the MIS web site for nonprofit purposes only. Please provide the credit line.

For more information about permissions and rights, please contact MIS NorCal or the National Japanese American Historical Society.

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