I felt that here’s my chance again to prove that I was a loyal American citizen, to serve my country and to prove to the outside that we were true, loyal citizens, so we could go back to our homes again."
— Joseph Ichiuji, 442nd RCT
When I left home to put on the uniform of my country, my father said, ‘Whatever you do, do not dishonor the family, and do not dishonor the country.’ To have done any less than we did in battle would have dishonored our families and our country."
— Daniel Inouye, U.S. Senator, 442nd RCT
My father always told me, "You're an American citizen, so do the best you can for your country, this is your country."
— Sakae Takahashi, 100th Infantry Battalion
All of a sudden, we’re enemies and yet that year before, we’re neighbors. That’s what we couldn’t understand why? And then when they asked for volunteers, we wanted to prove ourselves that we’re just as American as they are. That’s why they expected only 1,500 from Hawaii but 10,000 of us volunteered in Hawaii."
— Stanley Akita, 100th Infantry Battalion
I want to assure happiness and security in America for my parents, brothers and sisters. This is their country. This is my country. There is no other country for us. It is our struggle for survival so that we can assure for ourselves a place in our country, the United States of America."
— Henry H. Ebihara, Military Intelligence Service
I have volunteered for the Women’s Army Corps because I am proud of America and proud that I am an American citizen."
— Kathleen Iseri, Women’s Army Corps
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Partners in Preserving Nisei Soldier Stories
Introducing the “I AM AN AMERICAN: The Nisei Soldier Experience” - a powerful collaboration between the National Museum of the United States Army, the National Veterans Network, and The Army Historical Foundation.

Together, we aim to raise awareness about the extraordinary service of the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service, who served in a segregated unit in World War II. These brave men and women came from across America enlisting from the islands of Hawaii and the 10 War Relocation Authority incarceration camps. They exhibited unparalleled patriotism and loyalty during the war, even as many of their families faced discrimination based on their Japanese ancestry. Through our traveling exhibition, we seek to combat prejudice by sharing a compelling narrative that resonates with individuals who value patriotism and a profound sense of duty towards their country, even in times of great sacrifice.

This eleven-city national traveling exhibit will educate the public about the extraordinary heroism of Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers. The theme of this new future traveling exhibit “I Am An American” is based on the historical photo of an “I Am An American” sign installed the day after Pearl Harbor by Tatsuro Masuda on his storefront in Oakland, CA. The loyalty and patriotism of 33,000 men and women who served in the United States Army will be presented from the perspective of the Nisei Soldiers.

The National Museum of the United States Army is working in collaboration with the National Veterans Network to create the traveling exhibit that will present six thematic areas: I Am An American, life in Hawaii, life in the Camps, Two Front War, Price of War and Legacy. This traveling exhibit will be a 1,500 square feet and highlight approximately 35 significant historical objects, three interactive programs, and two audio-visual kiosks for visitors to access 19 individual soldier stories, the Medal of Honor experience and an interactive map of the European and Pacific Campaign, comprised of 15 campaign videos.

This new traveling exhibit will embark on a five-year journey to 11 cities across the United States starting in 2026. The traveling exhibit is scheduled to be hosted in the following states: San Francisco CA, Honolulu HI, Portland OR, Los Angeles CA, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Illinois and New York.

Presenting Partners

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The National Museum of the United States Army is located on a publicly accessible area of Fort Belvoir, Va. and opened to the public on November 11, 2020. As the Army’s front door, the Museum is an enduring effort to tell the Army’s story and honor the accomplishments, sacrifices and commitment of American Soldiers. The Museum is the first comprehensive and truly national museum to capture, display and interpret nearly 250 years of Army history. The Museum brings to life that history in times of war and peace as told through the eyes of Soldiers. The Museum also offers educational experiences illustrating the Army’s role in building and defending our nation, as well as Army humanitarian missions and technological and medical breakthroughs built on Army ingenuity. To learn more, visit https://www.thenmusa.org

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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 led a national campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th, 442nd and MIS units. Following the awarding, NVN partnered with the Smithsonian on a seven-city tour to promote the recognition of the Nisei Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal along with the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal online exhibition that features 12 life stories of the 100th, 442nd and MIS. NVN continues to work with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center to develop K-8 lessons and trains teachers to incorporate the lessons into the classrooms. Since 2017, NVN has worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to develop the Nisei Soldier Experience, a special exhibit that is on display at the Museum and will launch an 11 city Nisei Soldier traveling exhibition in 2026. To learn more, visit https://nvnvets.org.

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The mission of The Army Historical Foundation (AHF) is to honor the American Soldier by preserving and presenting the history and heritage of the United States Army. AHF is the official Foundation of the National Museum of the United States Army, responsible for fundraising, memberships, and operational and attractions management. The Foundation was established in 1983 as a member-based, charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit https://armyhistory.org.

Exhibit Rendering of the I Am An American: the Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling Exhibit
National Museum of the United States Army (Exterior)
National Museum of the United States Army (Lobby)
Nisei Soldier Experience exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army (open until October 2025)
Medal of Honor Wall and Garden - Family of Kaoru Moto, 100th Infantry Battalion
Latest Updates
Call for Artifacts and Photos

The National Museum of the United States Army and the National Veterans Network are seeking wartime Nisei artifacts, photos, letters and documents for inclusion in the Nisei Soldier Traveling Exhibition. There are three areas of the exhibit where items are being sought:

  • Entrance of the I Am An American exhibit
  • Soldiers from the Camp
  • Nisei Soldier Legacy

To learn more, download the two documents below. To submit an item(s) for consideration, please email the National Veterans Network at info@nvnvets.org.

Get Involved! We invite you to make a donation or become a valued sponsor in honor of the Nisei Soldiers.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Opportunity Details

Friends and Family*

$1,000+

Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Community

$5,000+

Name under community section on exhibit panel displayed at one location of your choice
Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Legacy Circle

$10,000+

Name on Legacy Circle exhibit panel displayed at all 11 locations
Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Honor Circle

$25,000+

Name on Honor Circle exhibit panel displayed at all 11 locations
Invitation to exhibit opening launch event
Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Heritage Circle

$50,000+

Name on Heritage Circle exhibit panel displayed at all 11 locations
Invitation to exhibit opening launch event
Half page article in Army Historical Foundation publication
Half page article in National Veterans Network publication
Social media sponsor announcement
Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Remembrance Circle

$100,000+

Name on Remembrance Circle exhibit panel displayed at all 11 locations
Invitation to exhibit opening launch event
Full page article in Army Historical Foundation publication
Full page article in National Veteran’s Network publication
Social media sponsor announcement
Recognition in opening day program
Website listing

Sponsor Recognition

We are proud to be supported by dedicated donors who are contributing to the success of the I am An American: the Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling Exhibit. We thank the following sponsors for their generosity and steadfast support of the Nisei Soldier legacy.

Remembrance Circle

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Japanese American
Confinement Sites Grant Program

Anne Naito-Campbell in memory of William Sumio Naito

Heritage Circle

Catherine Gleason Foundation / Cressey Nakagawa
Dr. Thomas Kosasa
Wallace K. Tsuha

Honor Circle

AARP
Aratani Foundation
Tamlyn Tomita and Daniel Blinkoff

Legacy Circle

Chicago American Legion Post #1183
Juli Kodani
Nisei Veterans Legacy
Portland JACL
Pritzker Military Foundation
William and Gay Takakoshi

Community

Gerald Fukui
Lynn Heirakuji and Lei Fukuhara
Dale and Deborah Ikeda
Richard and Masako Murakami
Oregon Historical Society

Friends and Family

Cindy and Dave Akiyama
Tsurumi Hamasu
Kenneth Hayashi
Lindsay Horikoshi
Rick and Joyce Inatome
Ronald Iwasaki
Carol Kawata
Anne Kikoshima
James Kuroiwa
Jon Megeff and Sabina Helton
Virginia Motoyama
SSG Rudy Miller
Catherine Ngo
Sharon Oda
Timothy and May Ogawa
Penny Phillips
Ellen and Roger Prosise
Naomi Shibata
Mark and Vivien Usui
Laura Yamamoto

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