What was the policy regarding Japanese Americans in the military during World War II? Japanese Americans were not allowed to enlist in the armed services. Japanese Americans were welcomed in the armed services as translators. Japanese Americans could only fight in Europe, not the Pacific. Japanese Americans could join the military after they became citizens.

During World War II, the policy regarding Japanese Americans in the military underwent significant changes. Initially, there were discriminatory practices, but as the war progressed, a different approach was taken:

• Japanese Americans were not allowed to enlist in the armed services:Early in the war, particularly in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, there was a widespread atmosphere of suspicion and fear towards Japanese Americans. This led to discriminatory policies, and initially, Japanese Americans were often not allowed to enlist in the armed services.

However, as the war continued, the discriminatory policies evolved:

1. Japanese Americans were welcomed in the armed services:

• Recognizing the need for manpower and shifting perceptions, the United States government changed its stance. In 1943, the U.S. Army formed the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit composed almost entirely of Japanese Americans. Additionally, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) was established, where Japanese Americans served as linguists and played crucial roles as translators and interpreters.

2. Japanese Americans could join the military after they became citizens:

• Japanese Americans, like other Americans, were eligible to join the military regardless of their citizenship status. However, during the early stages of the war, when there were concerns about loyalty, citizenship status became a factor in how Japanese Americans were initially treated. As the war progressed, these barriers were reduced, and Japanese Americans were able to serve without the citizenship requirement being a significant obstacle.

The contributions of Japanese American soldiers, especially those in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service, were remarkable. The 442nd became one of the most decorated units for its size and length of service in U.S. military history, and the MIS played a vital role in the Pacific theater by providing linguistic and intelligence support.

It's important to note that the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II, including the internment of Japanese Americans in camps, was a dark chapter in U.S. history. The discriminatory policies against Japanese Americans were later recognized as unjust, and efforts were made to acknowledge and rectify the wrongs through reparations and apologies.