SPONSOR THIS EXHIBIT

NISEI SOLDIER EXPERIENCE TRAVELING EXHIBIT

Partners in Preserving Nisei Soldier Stories

“I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience” is a new traveling exhibit which tells the storied history of how second-generation Japanese Americans, known as “Nisei,” served the nation as loyal U.S. Army Soldiers during World War II. Nisei Soldiers served in the European Theater as part of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team—one of the most highly decorated units in military history—and in the Pacific Theater as linguists in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Service. In the exhibit, their service is recounted against the backdrop of fear and racial tension that inspired thousands to volunteer from Hawaii and drove the U.S. government to remove Japanese Americans and people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast to ten Wartime Relocation Authority (WRA) Incarceration Camps during the war.

Interested in learning more?

CHRISTINE SATO-YAMAZAKI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NVN

christine@nvnvets.org

Call for Artifacts

In addition to soliciting specific “I Am An American” objects, NVN is also seeking artifacts from families of Nisei Soldiers who volunteered out of the WRA incarceration camp. If you are interested in donating or loaning these objects for the traveling exhibit, please contact NVN at info@nationalveteransnetwork.com.
 
For more information, visit www.nationalveteransnetwork.com

About National Veterans Network (NVN)

NVN’s mission is to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to promote equality and justice. In 2010, the organization launched a national campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th, 442nd and MIS units, and worked with Congress and U.S. Mint to design the medal. In 2012, the organization partnered with the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for a seven-city tour to promote recognition of the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal. In 2016, along with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, NVN launched an online Digital Exhibition to share the story of Japanese American soldiers of WWII (cgm.smithsonianapa.org). From 2017-2020, NVN worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to gather artifacts from Japanese American WWII soldiers and their families that resulted in a special exhibit dedicated to Japanese American WWII soldiers. In 2020, the NVN in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center to develop elementary and middle school curriculum, lessons, and activities. The NVN continues to honor the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry by promoting, protecting, and preserving their legacy of uncommon valor and selfless service for future generations.