Glossary

Americans of Japanese  Ancestry. This term is primarily used in Hawaii.

An individual who is neither a US citizen nor US national.

Laws enacted by various states that prohibited “aliens ineligible for citizenship” from  owning or acquiring, and eventually leasing, land. In Japanese American  history, these laws refer particularly to the alien land laws passed in western  states including Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington, where they implicitly  targeted the Japanese immigrant community,  many of whom were farmers.

During World War II, an international military and political alliance  whose chief forces included the United States, Great Britain, France, the  Soviet Union, China and other members of the United Nations. Also known as the  Allied Powers, the alliance fought against the Axis.

More generally, refers to an association with one or more other states,  organizations, or individuals for mutual help and support or the achievement of  a common purpose.

Unit whose primary responsibility is to destroy enemy    armored vehicles.

The Anti-Tank Company of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team provided artillery support using 57 mm AT guns. The unit consisted of three gun platoons,    one each assigned to the three infantry battalions. Its most noted accomplishments include its participation as    glider infantry in the invasion of Southern France in August 1944, and the capture of a one-man German submarine    off the coast of Menton, France.

Asian Pacific  Islanders. Also called APA or Asian Pacific Americans.

Weapons for  discharging missiles.

Temporary detention  centers that housed Americans of Japanese Ancestry who had been forcibly  removed from their homes along the West Coast in the early months of World War  II. These centers served as temporary quarters before they were sent to more  permanent quarters in incarceration  centers. In most cases, these assembly centers were primarily fairgrounds  or racetracks with crude barracks and mess hall facilities later added.  Primarily scattered around California, but also in Arizona, Oregon and  Washington.

Allied Translator and  Interpreter Section. Located  in Indooroopilly, Australia, outside of Brisbane, ATIS was established by  Brigadier General Charles A. Willoughby, chief intelligence officer for General  Douglas MacArthur, in September 1944. ATIS acted as one of the intelligence  centers where military intelligence officers worked to assist the operations in  the Pacific.

The military and political alliance of Germany, Italy,  and later Japan that fought the Allies in World War II. Also referred to as the Axis Powers.