Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center — Attraction in San Francisco

Visited in October 2024

Stumbled upon this seemingly unassuming hangar on the way from Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman's Wharf. The writing on the banner hung enticed me (and another colleague who also reads history) anyway and off we went.

The entrance fee was $10, which came with maximum complimentary 3 books on the history of Japanese-American during World War 2 to choose from. Our guide, Yutaka, accompanied us and gave the guided tour. The ill treatment from the US government at the time towards the citizens from Japanese descent is a piece of history many people don't aware of. In spite of the discrimination and mass incarceration, the conscripted Japanese-American gave their favor in turn as best as they could in many branches in the US armed forces.

This museum, however, focuses on the military intel branch unit that was manned by second generation (Nisei) and Japan-educated (Kibei) Japanese American servicemen. The unit was focused on translating intercepted Japanese armed forces coded message and as interrogators. The location, which was a plane hangar (the area used to be a military airfield protecting San Francisco), was the initial location for the training center for the unit, which was later relocated to the state of Minnesota when more recruits were coming in. Truly sorry for these folks when even during their training and operation, they weren't really trusted by other American comrades and officers in the unit that they had to be escorted by non-Japanese soldiers.

Thank you for preserving this often forgotten piece of history and...

The historic contributions of citizens of Japanese-American descent told here; plus the impact of fear which alienated Americans of Japanese descent which displaced Japanese to internment camps. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who are presented here who sacrificed and suffered to serve the American cause in WWII. As a somewhat aware of US history, I learned a lot about the contributions of Japanese-Americans plus challenged by the reality of how fear created atrocities imposed onto the Japanese descendants. We are overdue to recognize the atrocities imposed on citizens of the USA of...

Building 640 was the original site of the language school for the Military Intelligence Service during World War II. The place now features exhibits on the crucial role played by Japanese American soldiers during the war, as well as the horrible treatment of civilian Americans of Japanese descent (who were basically interned in concentration camps around the US during the war). Well worth a visit - awareness of this part of history remains...