National Veterans Network

Did you know that one-third of our country believe that Asian Americans are more loyal to to the perceived country of origin than to the United States? Our goal is to bring greater awareness of the service and sacrifice of Japanese American WWII veterans who served in the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service. They served from Hawaii and mainland U.S., despite being discriminated against and unjustly incarcerated in 10 War Relocation Authority camps.  Help us tell this powerful story.

Our Mission

The National Veterans Network (NVN) is a national organization whose mission is to educate the current and next generations about the extraordinary legacy of American World War II soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to advocate for equality and justice.                    

Why We Exist

Nearly 33,000 Americans  soldiers of Japanese ancestry served in the segregated unit of  U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service during World War II from the mainland U.S. and the islands of Hawaii.  These courageous young men and women made a decision to serve their country, the United States of America, at a time when they were looked upon with suspicion and discriminated solely based on their race and ancestry.  Their courage and sacrifices led them to become one of the most highly decorated military unit for their size and length of service for their size and length of service. Their struggle to overcome prejudice and demonstrate their loyalty to the United States is a story that can inspire, inform and empower us. 

Our Programs

Since the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation's highest civilian award, to the Japanese American WWII soldiers in 2010,  the NVN has devoted the past ten years to deliver national exhibits and programs in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Washington D.C. and National Museum of the U.S. Army in Virginia.  Our major accomplishments include the tour of the Congressional Gold Medal in seven Museums nationwide, development of the Congressional Gold Medal Online Exhibition,  elementary and middle school curriculum,   Nisei Soldier Experience Special Exhibit  and outreach initiatives including the "I Am American" Campaign.  

Why we need your support

In this climate of rising anti-Asian racism,  we are elevating our efforts to educate the public about the Japanese American World War II history.

Our educational initiatives:

- An American Story: Teacher Training Institute:  the NVN and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center's Teacher Training Institute is hosting a 3-day Teacher Training Institute in August 2023 to educate and train elementary and middle school teachers on the lessons of the World War II experience of Japanese Americans through the lessons, "What was life like in camp" and "What would you have done" curriculum.

- "I Am An American:" The Nisei Soldier Experience Traveling  Exhibition:  the NVN and National Museum of the U.S. Army and Army Historical Foundation is developing a 11-city national tour to launch in February 2026. The exhibit will feature 35 significant historical objects, 50-75 images and three audio-visual kiosks for visitors to access nine individual soldier stories and an interactive map of the European and Pacific Campaign, comprised of 16 campaign videos. 

To learn more about the National Veterans Network, please visit www.nationalveteransnetwork.com.