Congressional Leaders Join Press Announcement for "I Am An American" Traveling Exhibit About World War II Nisei Soldiers USA - English
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2024 ~ On Capitol Hill today, a group of influential leaders gathered to announce the plans for a groundbreaking new exhibit that will honor the often-overlooked contributions of Japanese American soldiers during World War II. The exhibit, titled "I Am An American," will be the first traveling exhibit of the National Museum of the United States Army and is set to tour 11 cities over the course of five years.

Among those in attendance were U.S. Representatives Mark Takano and Jill Tokuda, White House Senior Advisor for Public Engagement Kota Mizutani, and retired General Eric K. Shinseki, who served as the 34th Chief of Staff of the United States Army. These leaders joined together to share their personal experiences and insights on why this exhibit is so significant.

The presentation was led by Ms. Tammy Call, Director of the Museum, who highlighted that "I Am An American" will feature 25-35 wartime objects that represent the service of Japanese American soldiers in segregated units such as the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service. The first stop on its tour will be at the Presidio MIS Historic Learning Center in San Francisco in February 2026 before moving on to other cities such as Honolulu, Portland, and Los Angeles.

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Ms. Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Executive Director of the National Veterans Network (NVN), also spoke at the event. The NVN is providing historical expertise to develop the content for the exhibit and Ms. Sato-Yamazaki shared some details about its design plans. The theme "I Am An American" was inspired by a photo taken by Dorothea Lange during World War II which featured a sign with those words placed on an Oakland storefront by Tatsuro Matsuda to declare his American identity. The exhibit will explore five thematic areas and cover topics such as patriotism, courage, and selfless service of Japanese American soldiers, as well as the discrimination their families faced at home. It will also provide historical context on life in Hawaii and the Wartime Relocation Authority camps.

Retired General Eric K. Shinseki, who himself is of Japanese American descent, spoke passionately about the significance of this exhibit. "American Soldiers of Japanese Ancestry delivered a powerful lesson in citizenship during World War II," he stated. "Their values – loyalty, courage, patriotism – are timeless statements about being American." He went on to praise their bravery and resilience in the face of fear and prejudice, highlighting their legendary battle history that continues to inspire today.

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During World War II, approximately 19,000 Nisei soldiers from Hawaii and ten Wartime Relocation Authority camps served in the European Theater as part of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. These units became known as the most decorated in U.S. military history for their size and duration of service. Additionally, another 6,000 Japanese Americans served as translators and interpreters in the Military Intelligence Service.

The Army Historical Foundation is providing support for the production of this traveling exhibit. In addition to its tour, a special gallery dedicated to the Nisei experience will be displayed at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir until 2025.

As this groundbreaking exhibit prepares to hit the road in 2026, it serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and contributions made by Japanese American soldiers during World War II. Their story is one that deserves to be told and remembered for generations to come.

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