MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN WORLD WAR II

African-Americans

Served in segregated units

Tuskegee Airmen Elite group of African

American fighter pilots

“Great Migration” north to work in war factories

“Double V” campaign Goal to achieve

double victory over Hitler’s racism and the racism in the U.S.

Japanese-Americans (Nisei)

Executive Order 9066 Japanese ordered by FDR to move

to internment camps Strong anti-Japanese prejudice on

West Coast False-belief that Japanese

Americans were aiding the enemy Supreme Court supported U.S.

Government’s actions against Japanese Americans (“military urgency”)

In the Military 442nd Regiment Formed from volunteers at

internment camps Famous for heroism and high

casualties Received many honors and

medals

Native Americans (Navajo)

Communication codes

Navajo have an unwritten language, no alphabet, or symbols

Used by Marine Corp in Pacific against Japanese.

Women

“Rosie the Riveter” Women take men’s

places in factories and at home.

Nurses and non-combat military roles.

“Rosie the Riveter”