Most Decorated

The Nisei Soldiers

The Nisei Soldiers presents the story of Japanese-American soldiers in World War II. These American born soldiers of Japanese descent fought for America in the European theater while their families were declared enemy aliens at home. Racism and anti-Japanese sentiment subjected Japanese Americans to discrimination and a loss of Constitutional rights. They were interned in government camps for the duration of the war and lost their homes and livelihoods. Despite the treatment received at the hands of the U.S. government, Nisei soldiers valiantly defended their homeland and served with distinction and honor.

The Nisei Soldiers would be useful for classes on American History, Ethics, Culture, and Civics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• casualties
• decimation
• deemed
• desolate
• espionage
• impenetrable
• incarceration
• ingenious
• internment
• posthumously
• prelude
• vanguard

Discussion Questions

1. What is the definition of Nisei?

2. The Nisei soldiers fought enemies on both the war front and the home front. What enemy did they fight at home? How did they fight this enemy? Which enemy was more dangerous to the Nisei soldier himself? Which was more dangerous to the larger Japanese-American community?

3. The U. S. Armed Forces refused to use Nisei at the beginning of the war, but later on decided to use them. Why did the Armed Forces at first refuse to let Nisei soldiers fight? Why did the Armed Forces change their policy?

4. Japanese immigrants could not become citizens of the U.S. Only their children, if born in the U.S. were eligible to be citizens. Why do you think this was so? Why were other immigrants entitled to citizenship, but not the Japanese, along with all other Asian immigrants?

5. Americans of Japanese descent were labeled as enemy aliens. How could an American born citizen be deemed an enemy alien?

6. Japanese-Americans and Japanese immigrants were interned in government camps during World War II. The government said it was for their own protection in the event of a Japanese attack, but in reality they were interned because the government doubted their loyalty to the U.S. What role did racism play in this logic and in the internment?

7. Japanese-Americans were interned because the U.S. was at war with Japan. The U.S. was also at war with Germany and Italy, but no German-Americans or Italian Americans were incarcerated. Why only the Japanese?

8. How did the Nisei soldiers' experiences in World War II change their own lives, and the future of the Japanese-American community, especially in Hawaii?

9. What is the legacy of the Nisei soldiers?

Extended Activities

1. Research World War II propaganda, newspapers, etc. Discuss the role of racism in U.S. war propaganda. How was racism used to mobilize Americans for the war effort? Is racism used today? If so, how?

2. Imagine that you are a Japanese-American in an internment camp during World War II. Create a diary or journal that tells of your daily experiences for a given period of time.

Air Dates

• November 08, 2005