NISEI SOLDIER EXPERIENCE TRAVELING EXHIBIT

Partners in Preserving Nisei Soldier Stories

The National Museum of the United States Army shares their latest collaboration effort with the National Veterans Network (NVN) and The Army Historical Foundation in support of a Nisei Soldier traveling exhibition scheduled to begin in 2026.

The theme of this new future traveling exhibition “I Am An American” is based on the historical photo taken on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor, when Tatsuro Masuda installed an “I Am An American” sign on his storefront in Oakland, CA.

This national traveling exhibition will educate the public about the extraordinary heroism of Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers. The National Army Museum is working in collaboration with NVN to create the traveling exhibit from the Nisei Soldier Experience, currently on display at the National Army Museum, just south of Washington, D.C. This special exhibition will increase from the current 800 square feet to 1,200 square feet and expand to approximately 35 significant historical objects, 50-75 images and three audio-visual kiosks for visitors to access nine individual soldier stories and an interactive map of the European and Pacific Campaign, comprised of 16 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: California (Los Angeles and San Francisco), Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, Texas, and Utah. 

Interested in learning more?

CHRISTINE SATO-YAMAZAKI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NVN

Call for Artifacts

In addition to soliciting specific “I Am An American” objects, NVN is also seeking artifacts from families of Nisei Soldiers who volunteered out of the WRA incarceration camp. If you are interested in donating or loaning these objects for the traveling exhibit, please contact NVN at info@nationalveteransnetwork.com.
 
For more information, visit www.nationalveteransnetwork.com

About National Veterans Network (NVN)

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 launched a national campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th, 442nd and MIS units, and worked with Congress and U.S. Mint to design the medal. In 2012, the organization partnered with the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for a seven-city tour to promote recognition of the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal. In 2016, along with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, NVN launched an online Digital Exhibition to share the story of Japanese American soldiers of WWII (cgm.smithsonianapa.org). From 2017-2020, NVN worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to gather artifacts from Japanese American WWII soldiers and their families that resulted in a special exhibit dedicated to Japanese American WWII soldiers. In 2020, the NVN in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center to develop elementary and middle school curriculum, lessons, and activities. The NVN continues to honor the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry by promoting, protecting, and preserving their legacy of uncommon valor and selfless service for future generations.