Frances Iritani

Portrait of Frances Iritani

FRANCES IRITANI (c. 1922-2002)

Women’s Army Corps (WAC)

Private

 

Place of Birth: Colorado

Service: Frances was the first nisei woman inducted into WAC. Her family was not interned because they left the West Coast before internment was implemented. Frances helped to influence Colorado’s governor to welcome Japanese Americans during the war. She was named “WAC of the Week” in Florida in 1944. 

Post-War: Frances married Donald M. Kawano. Together, they had six children. She passed away in Colorado at age 80.