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THE PACIFIC FRONT -
THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE (MIS)

To view an interactive map of the Pacific Front, click here.

READING:

In the years leading up to WWII, the U.S. anticipated the need for linguists, personnel who could understand the Japanese language. Thus the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) was established. Due to anti-Asian sentiment, the Army initially looked for Americans that spoke the language who were not of Japanese heritage. The lack of qualified candidates forced the Army to turn to the Japanese Americans in the military.

The first serviceman it found was attorney John Aiso who was serving as an enlisted mechanic in the Army. Aiso, along with three other Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans), developed lesson plans for the MIS. Under his direction, the first Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS) at the Presidio, San Francisco, was setup in November 1941.

Since there were very few people in the military who spoke Japanese, the government decided to look for assistance from the Nisei and Kibei (Nisei educated in Japan) in Hawaii and in the U.S. concentration camps. These students would become the first members of the MIS and later become one of America’s best military secrets. Although the MISLS program was nearly dropped due to the hysteria of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, General Douglas MacArthur, commander of troops in the Pacific, had complete confidence in the MIS and its Nisei soldiers.

Two of the recruits for the MIS were young brothers, Ken and Harry Akune, Kibei from California. The brothers were imprisoned in the camp at Amache, Colorado. Others in the camp did not understand why they would volunteer to fight for the U.S. in spite of their unjust incarceration. Ken and Harry’s decision to enlist was a result of their parents’ teachings to honor their country. Although Ken and Harry Akune were trained together, once their MIS class was completed in spring 1942, they were separated.

Unlike the men of the 100th/442nd, the Nisei of the MIS were organized into small groups or as individuals who served with a military unit. The 6,000 Nisei linguists of the MIS were attached to units deployed at all strategic locations in the Pacific. They served in every major battle and campaign in the Pacific. Their job was to gather information by monitoring radio transmissions, translating enemy documents and encouraging the surrender of enemy soldiers.

Harry Akune served as a translator/interpreter in British New Guinea. He was attached to the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team. Although he had never been trained as a paratrooper, he volunteered to jump into Corregidor with his unit when they were given the mission to retake the island from the Japanese. Most parachute operations involved combat and Harry fought along side his comrades in firefights and in combat patrols. A few prisoners were captured and Harry used his language skills to gain valuable information. His information revealed the actual strength of the enemy force (5,000 not the 850 previously estimated) and the status of that force. Another piece of valuable intelligence was the existence of 100 enemy motor boats loaded with explosives hidden in caves that were to be used to destroy Allied shipping. Harry’s revelations saved American lives.

Robert “Rusty” Kimura was a MIS linguist who volunteered from camp at Topaz, Utah. Rusty was assigned to the Australian Army. The Australians insisted that he wear an Australian uniform to keep from being confused with the Japanese army. Rusty insisted on keeping his American uniform because he knew he had earned the right to wear it. Rusty was of great value to the Australians on a number of occasions. In one instance he looked through captured documents and found a sheet of paper showing the place, date and time of Japan’s next attack. The attack was scheduled for the next morning at 10 a.m. With this key information, the Australians were prepared and easily defeated the attack the next morning. His efforts saved many lives.

Roy Matsumoto, another MIS linguist, served with Merrill’s Marauders, a unit under the direction of General Frank Merrill, that fought behind enemy lines in Southeast Asia. Their mission was to reopen the Burma Road, the Allied supply route from India to China. Their objective was to disrupt Japanese operations in that area. MIS linguists volunteered for what was only described as a “dangerous and hazardous mission.” It was estimated that the casualty rate for this outfit would be 85 percent.

In one specific incident, Roy’s unit found itself surrounded by Japanese troops. After 13 days, the 600 men of his unit had little food or water. The situation was desperate. He decided to take action. Roy crawled beyond the perimeter and overheard the Japanese plan for a suicide attack the following morning at dawn. With this information, the Americans withdrew to a new area, booby-trapping their old foxholes before they left. The first wave of Japanese troops attacked and was cut down. Roy then did the unexpected. He stood up and yelled in Japanese “susume!” (attack!), and a wave of enemy troops attacked again and were cut down. In the end, the U.S. suffered no casualties, and 54 Japanese soldiers lay dead.

Not all MIS linguists worked on the battlefront as illustrated in the battle for the island of Okinawa. The Battle of Okinawa was the last major campaign of the Pacific and involved the largest number of ships and troops of any battle in the Pacific. The casualties suffered to capture Okinawa were a staggering 50,000 dead and wounded. MIS linguists discovered and translated a map that detailed all of the enemy emplacements on the island. This information saved other American lives. Tom Ige, Takejiro Higa, and eight other Nisei soldiers of Okinawan descent joined the other MIS linguists in Okinawa. They helped to save the lives of other civilians and helped to build support among the local population. They also identified surviving Japanese soldiers who were trying to blend into the Okinawan population by speaking in the distinct Okinawan dialect.

The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 resulted in the loss of lives and devastation on a scale unknown before. The bombing of these cities marked the first time atomic weapons would be used. Japan surrendered days later and the war in the Pacific was over. Some MIS linguists witnessed the devastation. They later worked as translators in the war crime trials and assisted in the reconstruction of Japan. In addition, they played a crucial role in bridging the gap between Japan and the U.S., two nations with such different cultures. Today, Japan and the United States are strategic and economic partners. On June 30, 2000, the men of the Military Intelligence Service received long overdue recognition when their unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy while displaying gallantry, determination and espirit de corps.


ACTIVITIES

Framework Standard Context
California Standards
Grade 11

11.7 Students analyze the American participation in World War II.

3. Identify the roles and sacrifices of individual American soldiers, as well as the unique contributions of special fighting forces (e.g. the Tuskegee Airmen, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Navajo Code Talkers).

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THESE TERMS?

Military Intelligence Service (MIS)
linguist
Nisei
Kibei
deployed
U.S. concentration camp
hysteria
casualty
dialect

RECALL /COMPREHENSION

  1. When was the Military Intelligence Service established? What does this suggest?
  2. Who was General Douglas MacArthur? How did he feel about the Military Intelligence Service?
  3. What was the job of the MIS linguists?
  4. Describe one incident in which a MIS linguist used his skills to save his unit.
  5. Why was it important for the Allies to capture Okinawa? What role did the MIS play in the capture of Okinawa?
  6. What was the significance of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
  7. What role did the MIS linguists play in post-war Japan?

CRITICAL THINKING

  1. Why was it important to have personnel who could speak two languages? Do you think it is important to be able to speak more than one language today?
  2. Would you volunteer to serve in the Army if your family was incarcerated? What are some of the arguments for joining? What are some arguments against?
  3. Would you volunteer for a combat mission that would have 85 percent casualties? Why do you think that the Nisei linguists volunteered?
  4. Why do you think the atomic bomb was used? Given the terrible effects of a nuclear weapon, should any nation use nuclear force against civilians? Explain your answer.

RESEARCH

There are thousands of individual stories of courage and sacrifice. Find out about the lives and experiences of specific individuals. You may wish to start by finding out more about the men mentioned in this reading.

John Aiso Ken Akune and Harry Akune
Roy Matsumoto Robert “Rusty” Kimura
Takejiro Higa  

Go to the Web site of the Nisei veterans’ organization, Go For Broke National Education Center at www.GoForBroke.org. Click on Oral Histories, type in key word MIS. Locate additional MIS veterans.

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