Asian Americans viewed the United States’ declaration of war on Japan in 1941 with both hope and apprehension. For those whose ethnic heritage came from Asian countries colonized by Japan, it represented a long-awaited check on Japanese aggression. This motivated Korean American Susan Ahn to join the U.S. military to fight against Japan, leading her to become the first Asian American woman enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Similarly, many Chinese Americans and Filipino Americans also joined the military to free Asian countries from Japan. Before World War II, Asian Americans were not allowed to serve in the U.S. military. However, soon after Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor, Asian Americans were granted permission to enlist.