Glossary

Federal legislation of 1922 that denied citizenship to  female US citizens   who married aliens and to female aliens who married US citizens. Although  the act allowed women who had lost their citizenship through marriage to an  alien to regain it through naturalization upon the ending of that marriage  through death or divorce, Asian American women were ineligible because of their  race. Formally repealed in 1936.

A connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of war.

An Army commissioned officer commanding a company. Ranking above a First Lieutenant and below a Major.  Primary task to command units,  provide tactical plans, and make decisions.

A military person lost to service through death, wounds, injury,  sickness, internment, capture, or because of undetermined whereabouts.

Term that refers to the evacuation of people from caves. The Military Intelligence Service flushed  out enemy soldiers and civilians in  such places as Okinawa and Iwo Jima during World War II.  

An  individual who owes loyalty to a country or state and who is entitled by birth  or naturalization to certain protections  and rights of that country or state.

The US government defines a citizen as an individual born in the US or  its territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, or the US Virgin Islands; an  individual whose parent is a US citizen; a former alien naturalized as a US citizen.

Protections against government interference or restraints. These include  the rights or freedoms given to the people of the United States by the First  Amendment to the Constitution, like the liberties of free thought, expression,  assembly, worship or petition without government action.

A broader concept than civil  liberties. Refers to legal actions that the government puts into place to ensure  that all people receive equal treatment. Some examples are the right to an  equal education; the right to be free from employment discrimination; the right to vote; and the right to equality in  public places.

One not on active duty in a military, police, or fire-fighting force.

An Army commissioned officer typically  commanding a brigade-sized unit. Ranking above a Lieutenant Colonel. Primary task to command units, provide tactical  plans and make decisions.

A unit that can reorganize as infantry when  needed and provides engineer support for its regiment to ensure troop mobility and the transport of materials, supplies, and personnel. This includes  the construction of bridges, obstacles, and defensive positions as well as the  destruction of bridges and roadblocks as needed.

The 232nd Combat Engineer Company supported the 442nd  Regimental Combat Team as well as other units throughout WWII.

One that is engaged in or  ready to engage in combat.

One in an official position of command or control.

A Congressional commission charged with studying the mass removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and  recommending an appropriate remedy.

A military officer who holds rank by appointment at or above the rank of Second Lieutenant or Ensign.

A tactical-sized unit typically composed of three to five platoons,  commanded by a Captain. Contains a headquarters  (administrative) detachment.  Generally three rifle platoons and  one heavy weapons platoon. Identified by letters: A Company, B Company,  etc. Depending on the type of unit, referred to as a Troop (e.g., Ground  or Air Cavalry) or Battery (e.g., Field Artillery).

A place at which persons are confined  or imprisoned, typically under harsh conditions, usually because of their  membership within a particular persecuted group. Although the term has been used  as early as the twentieth century in the Spanish American and Boer Wars, today  it is most commonly used to refer to the Nazi camps of World War II, which held  millions of Jews as well as other persecuted minorities including homosexuals,  Gypsies, and Poles, and at which at least six million died under horrendous  conditions.

The  term “American concentration camps”  is used to refer to the relocation  centers or internment camps that  housed Americans of Japanese ancestry and Japanese nationals who were forcibly  removed from their homes during World War II.

A group of vehicles organized for the purpose of control or orderly movement with or without escort protection.

A non-commissioned officer ranking in the Army above Private First Class and Specialist and below Sergeant.