Exhibit Honors Japanese American WWII Soldiers Whose Families Were Incarcerated

The traveling exhibit 'I am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience' highlights the bravery and sacrifice of Japanese American soldiers who fought for the U.S. during WWII while their families were imprisoned in internment camps.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:55am

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A new traveling exhibit called 'I am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience' is honoring the stories of Japanese American soldiers who fought for the United States during World War II, even as their families were incarcerated in government-run internment camps and declared 'alien enemies' of the state. The 1,500-square-foot exhibit features family photos, mementos, and short biographies of the Nisei men, known as the 'greatest generation,' to ensure their bravery and sacrifice are remembered by younger generations.

Why it matters

The exhibit highlights the complex and often overlooked history of Japanese Americans during WWII, who faced discrimination and incarceration despite their loyalty and service to the country. It aims to ensure the stories of these Nisei soldiers are not forgotten, especially as questions of nationality and belonging still persist for many Asian Americans.

The details

The exhibit features personal items and stories of Nisei soldiers, including a travel bag belonging to Sgt. Gary Uchida, a U.S. Army identification card of Oregon-born George S. Hara who wrote 'American' under nationality, and a note holder made by Rihachi Mayewaki while imprisoned at the Jerome camp in Arkansas. About 33,000 Japanese Americans fought in WWII, despite the U.S. government incarcerating an estimated 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. The exhibit also honors the bravery of soldiers like Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

  • The 1,500-square-foot exhibit kicked off in San Francisco in March 2026.
  • The exhibit will run in San Francisco's Presidio through August 2026 before traveling to 10 other cities, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon.

The players

National Veterans Network

The organization co-curating the 'I am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience' exhibit.

National Museum of the United States Army

One of the organizations presenting the exhibit.

Army Historical Foundation

One of the organizations presenting the exhibit.

Christine Sato-Yamazaki

Executive director of the National Veterans Network and co-curator of the exhibit.

Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda

A Japanese American soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in WWII.

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What they’re saying

“These soldiers wanted to prove they were loyal patriotic Americans, part of the greatest generation at that time and they were American — just like anybody else.”

— Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Executive director of the National Veterans Network and co-curator of the exhibit

“If we could, in our own ways, help others, the country, know the sacrifices of the previous generation and what they did for our lives, then, even better.”

— Kevin Kuroda, Nephew of Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda

What’s next

The exhibit will continue traveling to 10 other cities across the U.S. after its run in San Francisco, allowing more people to learn about the stories of the Nisei soldiers.

The takeaway

The 'I am an American' exhibit shines a light on the complex and often overlooked history of Japanese Americans during WWII, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for their country even as their families were unjustly incarcerated. It serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need to address discrimination and ensure the stories of marginalized communities are not forgotten.