A new travelling exhibition in San Francisco is paying tribute to second-generation Japanese Americans who fought for the United States in World War II while their families were held in government-run internment camps.

Titled “I Am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience,” the 1,500-square-foot exhibit highlights the courage and sacrifice of these soldiers, known as Nisei. The name comes from a sign placed on a Japanese American store in Oakland the day after the Pearl Harbor attack, declaring loyalty to the US.

After Pearl Harbor, about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry two-thirds of them US citizens were forced into remote camps. Despite this, around 33,000 Japanese Americans joined the US military. Many served in the highly decorated but segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, while others worked as linguists in military intelligence. Nearly 800 were killed in action.

The exhibit displays personal items, photos and stories shared by families. Among them is a travel bag belonging to Sgt. Gary Uchida, decorated with drawings of Hawaii, and an Army ID card where George S. Hara wrote his nationality as “American.”

One moving item is a handmade note holder crafted in an Arkansas camp by Rihachi Mayewaki, featuring an American eagle and stars for his three sons who served in the Army.

The exhibition also honors Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda, who was killed in France in 1944 after bravely attacking enemy positions. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor. His medal and high school class ring  found in France in 2021 and returned to his family  are on display.

The five-year exhibit runs in San Francisco through August before touring 10 other US cities.