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Description
Detailed account of author's experience with Nisei soldiers in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) in WWII. One of the first accounts of Nisei fighting among other American soldiers on the CBI, as their presence was secret for a time. S/Sgt. Edgar Laytha spent time in the Nisei unit on the eastern front in the war. He explains the discipline, the tenacity, and skill of the Nisei fighters, and details the military successes and bravery of Staff Sergeant Kenny Yasui who captured Japanese soldiers on an island. His ability to speak Japanese and order surrender to the Japanese soldiers in their language prevented many deaths on both sides. Laytha also describes the comradery and the food his Nisei friends served while on duty. Somewhat racist and problematic language regarding Japanese soldiers, stereotypical views of Japanese Americans, and Kibei including, "Nisei grow about two inches taller and are far better built than their relatives in Japan... the Jap is the son of an undernourished nation and looks it. The uncanny discipline and self-negation... [makes him] more of a human automaton than a human being. But this all vanishes under the American sun." The War Relocation Authority (WRA), together with the Wartime Civil Control Administration (WCCA), the Civil Affairs Division (CAD) and the Office of the Commanding General (OFG) of the Western Defense Command (WDC) operated together to segregate and house some 110,000 men women and children from 1942 to 1945. The collection contains documents and photographs relating to the establishment and administrative workings of the (WDC), the (WRA) and the (WCCA) for the year 1942.
World War II--Military service World War II--Military service--100th Infantry Battalion Identity and values--Kibei Identity and values--Nisei Race and racism--Stereotypes World War II--Pearl Harbor and aftermath--Responses of non-Japanese Americans World War II--Support from the non-Japanese American community
Source
San Jose State University Department of Special Collections and Archives
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