Military Intelligence School at the Presidio

Japanese-American soldiers studying in Crissy Field Building 640, circa 1941.

NPS

By the late 1930s, as diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan deteriorated, the U.S. Army established the 4th Army Intelligence School at the Presidio. The army converted hanger Building 640, on Crissy Field, into classrooms and a barracks for a language school which trained Nisei – Japanese Americans born to parents who had come to the U.S from Japan – to act as translators in the war against Japan. Despite wartime prejudices and the harsh internment of all Japanese immigrants and their American children during World War II, the Nisei solders proved their loyalty and through their intelligence work shortened the war in the Pacific.

“Patriotism and Prejudice: Japanese Americans and World War II”

For more information on the Nisei and their inspiring story, please download the National Park Service brochure (pdf file, 900 KB.)

The Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center

Visit the new MIS Historic Learning Center, located at Crissy Field, Presidio of San Francisco. To learn more about the Japanese American experience, please visit the National Japanese American Historical Society webpage.