Mitsuru Fujinami photograph collection

Collection

Identifier: P1430

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Mitsuru Fujinami photograph collection contains 1 black-and-white photograph of Fujinami during his service in the United States Military during World War II, dating from approximately 1943 to 1945. This image was collected in conjunction with an exhibit on Japanese American veterans.

Dates

1943-1946

Creator

Kasai, Mitsugi M., 1918-2013 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Mitsuru Fujinami photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.

Biographical Note

Mitsuru “Mits” Fujinami (1924-2019) was born on January 18, 1924, in Brawley, California to Tomakichi and Kichi Fujinami. Between ages 13 and 16, Fujinami was educated in Japan. During World War II, the United States government sent the Fujinami family to Clearfield, Utah. On May 18, 1944, Mits Fujinami joined the United States Army Military Intelligence Service as a linguist with the 167th Language Detachment X Corps, serving in Mindanao, Philippines. He also served with the I Crop Hiroshima Bomb Survey Team in Japan. Fujinami was discharged from the Army on May 4, 1946.

After returning to the United States, Fujinami attended the University of Utah, where he studied biology. On September 19, 1948, Mits Fujinami married Taiko “Terry” Kawaguchi; together, the couple had two sons. Fujinami worked for the Tooele Army Depot and Hinckley Dodge Chrysler Jeep. He was a member of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, and served as its president, for which he received the Sangha and Dharma Awards. Fujinami was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal for his military service. Mitsuru Fujinami died on June 1, 2019. (Adapted from obituary.)

Extent

1 Items (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Mitsuru “Mits” Fujinami (1924-2019) was a veteran of the United States Army who served during World War II. This collection contains one portrait photograph of Fujinami during his military service.