Masumi Mitsui fought for Canada during the First World War, including at Vimy Ridge, and was decorated for his bravery. But when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, his home was confiscated and sold by the government and his war service was ignored. This is his story. 🧵1/10 - ThreadSky

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social • 27 days ago

Masumi Mitsui fought for Canada during the First World War, including at Vimy Ridge, and was decorated for his bravery.
But when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, his home was confiscated and sold by the government and his war service was ignored.
This is his story.

🧵1/10

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corpsepilot.bsky.social•19 days ago

💔

phoenix00.bsky.social•27 days ago

📌

twidget.wtf•26 days ago

📌

jorek1original.bsky.social•19 days ago

🥺💔💫

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

Masumi Mitsui was born on Oct. 7, 1887 in Japan. He came to Canada with his family in 1908. When the First World War began, Mitsui wanted to enlist. He was unable to enlist in B.C. due to racism, so he went to Alberta and enlisted. He went overseas in October 1916.

🧵2/10

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

Mitsui reached the Western Front in March 1917. Due to his skill with English & Japanese, he was given command over Japanese recruits despite only being a private.
Mitsui fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and was wounded on April 28, 1917.

🧵3/10

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

At the Battle of Hill 70, he led 35 Japanese Canadians into battle. In the battle, Mitsui captured a machine gun and helped his wounded comrades. For his bravery, he received the Military Medal and was promoted to sergeant.
He was discharged in 1919.

🧵4/10

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

During the interwar years, he successfully lobbied the BC government to give Japanese-Canadians who fought in the war the right to vote.
When the Second World War began, Mitsui showed his loyalty to Canada by making public statements and supporting the war.

🧵5/10

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the Canadian government ordered all Japanese-Canadians be removed from the coast of BC. In 1942, Mitsui was told to go to Hastings Park in Vancouver to register as an "enemy alien".
His service to Canada was ignored.

🧵6/10

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•27 days ago

He showed up in his uniform and an official asked him:
"What can I do for you, Sarge?"
Mitsui responded by throwing his medals on the table and stating:
"What are the good of my medals?"
While the medals were returned to him, he refused to wear them in public for years.

🧵7/10

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