Not every West Coast American of Japanese descent was herded into an internment camp after Pearl Harbor. Some, like Ruth Tanbara and her husband, Earl, were compelled to relocate to places like St. Paul, Minnesota. Here’s Britt Aamodt.

Members of the 6888th Battalion, assisted by French civilians, sort mail at the 17th Base Post Office in Paris. Photograph by Crabtree, November 7, 1945. NAID 175539203, local ID 111-SC-426441.

Unsorted mail stored in a warehouse in France, ca. 1945. The women of the 4888th Battalion worked with similar backlogs of mail. Local Identifier 111-SC-197654.

2nd Lieutenant Freda le Beau, post exchange officer, serves a Coca Cola to Major Charity Adams at the opening of the 6888th battalion's new snack bar in Rouen, France. Photograph by T5/Klosterman, July 1, 1945. NAID: 175539159, Local ID: 111-SC-209179.

The 6888th Battalion stand at attention during a ceremony held on Joan of Arc Day in Rouen, France, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Photograph by Pfc. Stedman, May 27, 1945.

The 6888th Battalion on parade in Rouen, France, in the square in which Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Photograph by Pfc. Stedman, May 27, 1945. NAID 175539237, local ID: 111-SC-426441.

Members of the 6888th Battalion eat from mess kits at their Women’s Army Corps (WAC) quarters in England. Pictured are Tec. 5 Mary E. Walker; Private Erman Trude Finch; Corporal Callie K. Smith; Tec. 4 Evelyn Martin; Private Virginia Blake; and Private Gladys S. Carte. Photograph by Pfc. George Holt, February 15, 1945. NAID 175539135, local ID 111-SC-200790.

Major Charity E. Adams (right) and Captain Mary Kearney (left) inspect the 6888th Battalion in England on February 15, 1945. NAID: 531249, local ID: 111-SC-200791.

The 688th Battalion in formation, awaiting inspection. Battalion members stand in front of their Women’s Army Corps quarters in England. Photograph by Pfc. George Holt, February 15, 1945. NAID: 175539133, local ID: 111-SC-200585.

Virginia Lane in her Army uniform, ca. 1944. Printed in the St. Paul Recorder, March 9, 1945, 1.