Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center at the Presidio

Building 640, Crissy Field

Photo courtesy of the NJAHS

 

Public Ribbon Cutting Event to Celebrate the Opening of

The Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center
At Building 640, Crissy Field, Presidio of San Francisco

Monday, November 11, 2013 9:00 AM

Hosted by the National Japanese American Historical Society


To register for the luncheon following, visit the National Japanese American Historic Society webpage for details on their event.

 

Military Intelligence Service Language School at the Presidio

By the late 1930s, the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Japan had deteriorated. In response, the U.S. Army established the 4th Army Intelligence School at the Presidio in November, 1941. The school trained Nisei – Japanese born to parents who had come to the U.S from Japan – to act as translators in the war again Japan. For more information on the Nisei and their inspiring story visit Article "Patriotism and Prejudice: Japanese Americans and World War II”

 

Nisei soldiers studying inside Presidio Building 640, circa 1941

PARC, NPS

 

Presidio Building 640, Crissy Field

In 1941, the army converted a Crissy Field hangar into classrooms and a bunk house for the language school. To learn more about the building’s rehabilitation and the vision for its future, please visit the National Japanese American Historical Society’s website about the building.