Military Intelligence Service (United States)
The Military Intelligence Service (Japanese: アメリカ陸軍情報部, America Rikugun Jōhōbu) was a World War II U.S. military unit consisting of two branches, the Japanese American unit (described here) and the German-Austrian unit based at Camp Ritchie, best known as the "Ritchie Boys". The unit described here was primarily composed of Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) who were trained as linguists. Graduates of the MIS language school (MISLS) were attached to other military units to provide translation, interpretation, and interrogation services.
| Military Intelligence Service | |
|---|---|
MIS Unit insignia | |
| Active | 1941–1945 |
| Disbanded | 1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Military Intelligence |
| Role | Translation, interpretation, and interrogation |
| Size | 1,000 +/- |
| Garrison/HQ | Presidio of Monterey, Monterey, California |
| Nickname(s) | "Yankee Samurai" |
| Engagements | Guadalcanal, Buna–Gona, Attu, New Georgia, New Guinea, Bougainville, Tarawa, New Britain, Burma, Kwajalein, Admiralty Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Philippine Sea, Aitape–Wewak, Saipan, Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Corregidor, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Occupation of Japan |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Commendation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Col Kai Rasmussen Lt Col John F. Aiso |
| Insignia | |
| Branch insignia | |
| Unofficial MISLS insignia | |
Major General Charles Willoughby said, “The Nisei shortened the Pacific War by two years and saved possibly a million American lives.”
They served with the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as with British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, Chinese, and Indian combat units fighting the Japanese.