Prejudice and Patriotism Exhibit Tells a Fascinating Story

Japanese American soldiers fought and worked as language interpreters despite extreme prejudice during War World II. An exhibit inside the Officers’ Club on the Presidio’s main post tells the story of Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and of secret military language school that trained originally located in the Presidio.

The secret language school was opened in the Presidio in the spring of 1941. Building 640, an abandoned airplane hanger was used as both a classroom and as living quarters for the men. Many second-generation Japanese American soldiers or Nisei attended the school.

When war broke out in the pacific with the bombing of Pearl Harbor things changed. When Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Americans were relocated from the West Coast the school had to be moved. It was relocated in Minnesota.

The linguists of the MIS participated in every major battle and campaign in the pacific, the read captured documents and diaries, intercepted and interpreted radio transmissions and interrogated Japanese prisoners of war on a human level.

After the end of the war the MIS soldiers served as an important bridge between Japanese and American relations. They participated in land reform, war crimes trials and educational and legal development. They contributed to Japans transition from a war-ravaged country to a major economic power and one of America’s important post war allies.

Despite prejudice the Nisei who served with the MIS did so patriotically despite the fact that their loyalty was always suspect and even though they often fought against relatives and former classmates. During battles Japanese Americans were often given Caucasian bodyguards to protect them from friendly fire from American troops.

Kathleen Cooke, a visitor to the exhibit, said, “ I was surprised I had never heard of this contribution or language school before. They showed so much courage and loyalty. It is a fabulous story and should be taught in all schools.”

The exhibit features a video documentary, various historic photographs, well-organized displays with historical relics and a portrait and interview series done by Tom Graves. Tom Graves’ instillation is called “After the Wars: Lessons from America’s Nisei Heroes.”

The National Japanese Historical Society, the Presidio Trust and the National Park Service are developing a MIS historic learning center in building 640. The center will have interactive educational exhibits and a recreated 1941 classroom theatre experience.

The exhibit Prejudice and Patriotism will be on display until Jan 31.