Nisei Women in the US Army

Two WAC Non-Commissioned Officers (Source: U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Approximately 200 Nisei women volunteered for the Army Nurses Corps, the Army Medical Corps (doctors), and the Women Auxiliary Corps (WAC). Nisei women were integrated into white WAC units and served as typists and clerks in recruitment offices and in medical detachments.

About 40 Nisei WACs enrolled in the MIS Language School at Fort Snelling, MN. Following graduation three remained at the MISLS as instructors and 13 were deployed to Japan to serve in the MIS in the Occupation of Japan.

Nisei women who chose the Army Nurse Corps received six months medical training and were sent to serve at field hospitals in Europe where they treated wounded soldiers. Others joined the Nurses Cadet Corps. A few Nisei doctors joined the Army Medical Corps.

Like the Nisei men, Nisei women volunteered for military duty to prove their loyalty and to help America win the War.

Soldiers training at Ft. Shelby, Mississippi. (Source: U.S. Army Signal Corps)

These WACs L-R are Rhoda Knudten, Fumiko Segawa, Mickey Minata, Terry Nakanishi, Matsuko Kido, Chito Isonaga, Bertha Chin, Edith Kodama, Harriet Hirakawa, Miwako Yanamoto, Atsuko Mori, Sue Shinagawa, and Mary Nakamura. When they arrived in Tokyo General MacArthur refused to accept them. He requested they be returned to the States or shed their uniforms and serve in the MIS in the Occupation as civilians, GS-7. The WACs selected the latter. (Source: U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Soldiers training at Ft. Shelby, Mississippi. (Source: U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Nisei WACs receive a briefing. (Source: U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Nisei Women in the US Army

We are an educational, patriotic, fraternal organization dedicated to maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom.