San Francisco exhibit honors Japanese American who fought for US in WWII while their families were locked up

"After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, second-generation Japanese American soldiers signed up to fight for the United States in World War II even as their families were locked up in government-run internment camps and declared "alien enemies" of the state. Decades after they returned home from the war to face more racism and discrimination, the soldiers now are being honored in a new traveling exhibit."

"The 1,500-square-foot exhibit features family photos, mementos and short bios of the Nisei men shared by their relatives to ensure that stories of past bravery endure for younger generations, especially as questions of nationality still persist. On display is a travel bag that belonged to Sgt. Gary Uchida, marked by drawings he made of his native Hawaii and places he went while in the Army."

"Rihachi Mayewaki made a note holder from lumber scraps while imprisoned at Jerome camp in Arkansas. It features an American bald eagle and a blue star banner with three stars, one for each son: Ben, who helped collect, evaluate and interpret enemy intelligence; Charles, who trained as a rifleman with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and Hachiro, who trained as a linguist and worked as a translator."

Second-generation Japanese American soldiers, known as Nisei, enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II despite their families being confined in government internment camps and labeled as enemy aliens. After returning home to continued discrimination, these soldiers are now being recognized through a traveling exhibit titled "I am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience" launching in San Francisco. The 1,500-square-foot exhibit displays family photographs, personal mementos, and biographical information contributed by relatives to preserve their stories for future generations. Featured artifacts include a travel bag with drawings by Sgt. Gary Uchida, an Army ID card, and a handmade note holder created by Rihachi Mayewaki while imprisoned, featuring an American eagle and stars representing his three sons who served in various military roles.

Read at The Mercury News