Nisei soldiers in Italy and the Marshalls, and a race fight in Utah

Vol. 18, No. 8, February 26, 1944. 8 pages. View this issue

The war record of Japanese American soldiers led this issue. The War Department identified five men of the 100th Infantry Battalion killed and 31 wounded in Italy, and Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett praised Japanese American specialists who served in the capture of Kwajalein. Correspondents John Lardner and H. R. Knickerbocker wrote about the fighting at Cassino, and the editors praised the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s new pictorial album.

At home, Utah was the other main story. Larry Tajiri and Joe Grant Masaoka reported on a Salt Lake City meeting where a speaker left the stage rather than hear a reply, while the AFL pressed for limits on business licenses for Japanese Americans. Elsewhere in the issue: the House passed the Biddle bill on renouncing citizenship, the Jerome center was set to close, and Saburo Kido and Bill Hosokawa wrote columns.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Soldier Cited for Marshalls Action: Japanese Americans Took Part in Capture of Kwajalein Atoll, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett praised Japanese American specialists who served as interpreters and translators during the invasion of the Marshall Islands and capture of Kwajalein. The War Department’s first official account of Japanese American roles in Pacific fighting was published widely in U.S. newspapers.
• 5 Japanese Americans Killed, 31 Wounded on Italian Front, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The War Department identified five Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion killed in action and 31 wounded in Italy. The casualties are believed part of the unit’s overall losses since its landing at Salerno.
• Final Rites for Sgt. Kiyoshi Shiramizu Held at Poston, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Memorial services were held at Poston for Sgt. Kiyoshi Shiramizu, formerly of Salinas, Calif., who was killed in action in Italy. He was a member of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Enzo Shiramizu.
• Lardner Reports Nisei Soldiers in Bitter Fighting at Cassino, by John Lardner, page 1. Front-line correspondent John Lardner reported that Japanese American troops fought street by street and house by house to take Cassino, giving both stamina and sacrifice. He described their combat alongside Caucasian Americans as a key part of the battle.
• Front-Line Colonel Proud of Little Nisei Bazooka Gunner, by R. Knickerbocker, page 2. A front-line colonel of the Fifth Army praised a Japanese American bazooka gunner for knocking out a German tank at Cassino, as reported by correspondent H. R. Knickerbocker. Knickerbocker also described the grim room-to-room fighting and the treatment of wounded soldiers by both sides.
• Wounded Nisei Officer Says Morale Good in 100th Infantry, by P.C. Staff, page 2. First Lieut. Shigeru Tsubota, a wounded veteran of the Italian campaign, described the high morale of the 100th Infantry Battalion at a meeting of the Japanese American Committee for Democracy. He recounted the hardships of mountain marches, combat, and the friendship they received from Caucasian soldiers.
• Nisei Soldier Wins Chicago Boxing Title, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Herb Mashino, a Japanese American soldier at Fort Sheridan, won the 118-pound Open Division title in Chicago’s Golden Gloves tournament over Henry Sumi. The bout was one of the tournament’s classics and was decided in the final round.
• Nisei Girl Joins WACs in Omaha, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Mrs. Florence Y. Kato of Amache, formerly of Los Angeles, joined the Women’s Army Corps in Omaha. The article reports her enlistment from the Amache relocation center.
• Nakama Defends Swimming Titles in Big Ten Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Keo Nakama of Ohio State successfully defended his 220 and 440 yard freestyle titles at the Big Ten swimming championships. He was the only double winner in the meet.
• Combat Team Album, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial praises the 442nd Combat Team, whose members are largely volunteers who fight for racial democracy. It quotes from the opening of the team’s pictorial publication, The Album.
• Dentists Behind Barbed-Wire Fences, by M. M. Nakadate, page 5. Dr. M. M. Nakadate proposes three measures for the approximately 100 Nisei dentists, including reciprocal licensure and Public Health employment. He notes the difficulties nisei dentists face in relocating and reobtaining licenses.
• Officer Lauds Fighting Spirit of Nisei Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lieut. Chasse, recovering at Lovell General Hospital from shell wounds, praised the 100th Infantry Battalion as damned good Americans. He described the German prisoners’ bewilderment at being captured by Japanese American soldiers.

Incarceration & Redress

• Evacuee Held at Poston on Draft Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 2. George S. Fujii, a Poston evacuee, was indicted for allegedly posting notices urging draft-age Nisei to refuse preinduction examinations. He was held on a $10,000 bond pending a hearing in federal court.
• Five Granadans Held for Refusal to Comply with Draft, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Five American-born Japanese at the Granada relocation center were held in technical custody after refusing to report for induction, while 48 others from the camp departed for induction. Privileges of the five were revoked and federal charges were being prepared.
• Japanese Alien Attempts Suicide in Midwest City, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An alien of Japanese ancestry who had recently come to Chicago from the Granada relocation center was charged with disorderly conduct after attempting suicide. He had been despondent and was treated at a hospital.
• Civil Rights Right to Return to Evacuated Area Is Mentioned in Request, by P.C. Staff, page 7. An open letter from Topaz evacuees to WRA Director Dillon S. Myer requested restoration of civil rights and naturalization for alien parents of soldiers. The letter asked for the right to return to the Pacific Coast.

National

• House Passes Biddle Bill Permitting Denationalization, Beats West Coast Amendment, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The House passed an administration-backed bill allowing native-born citizens to renounce citizenship in wartime and rejected a West Coast amendment that would have treated past disloyal statements as renunciation. Rep. Dickstein said the Johnson proposal would have been unconstitutional.
• Congress Passes the Biddle Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Biddle bill, H.R. 4103, passed the House to allow citizens to expatriate themselves in wartime, a provision aimed at Japanese Americans who renounce citizenship. The article explains that Pacific Coast congressmen’s attempt at a retroactive amendment was defeated.

Community

• Ernest Iiyama Elected Chairman of New York Group, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ernest Iiyama, former chairman of the Japanese American Young Democrats of Oakland, was elected executive chairman of the JACD in New York. Dyke Miyagawa, a former staff member of the Pacific Citizen, was also named to the executive board.
• Denver Girls Give to Blood Bank, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese American women in Denver registered as blood donors at the Red Cross blood bank as a protest against atrocities by Japanese militarists in the Philippines. The photo shows a nurse at the blood bank interviewing a group of Nisei women.
• Backs Rights of Loyal Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Utah State Industrial Council (CIO) refused to join the AFL campaign to bar Japanese Americans from business licenses in Salt Lake City. The council asked that the issue be handled on a national basis to prevent unjust discrimination.
• Governor Maw To Investigate Race Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Utah Governor Herbert B. Maw said he was aware of racial antipathies, particularly against Japanese Americans, and would begin an informal investigation. He did not think formal state action was necessary but hoped groups could talk things over.
• Nisei Admitted to Colorado Bar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Taul Watanabe, a University of Denver Law School graduate who passed the bar in January, was notified he was qualified to practice law in Colorado. He had been a voluntary evacuee student from Willamette University.
• Prominent Citizens of Utah Uphold Rights of Nisei Group, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. Salt Lake City citizens defended the constitutional rights of Japanese Americans after AFL-affiliated speaker John R. Lechner left a public meeting without allowing a response. Joe Masaoka took the microphone and spoke for fair play, receiving applause from much of the audience.
• Mayor Glade Speaks Before JACL Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Salt Lake City Mayor Earl J. Glade affirmed the constitutional rights of all American citizens at the Salt Lake City JACL Wargond dance. He praised Japanese American servicemen and urged members to be careful in public actions to avoid inciting hysteria.
• Provo Commission Defers Decision on Business Licenses, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Utah County commissioners declined immediate action on AFL requests to stop issuing business licenses to persons of Japanese ancestry. The AFL warned that Japanese might begin an influx into the county.
• U.S. District Attorney Says Bigotry Beclouds Utah Situation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. U.S. District Attorney Dan B. Shields said he could not understand the prejudice in Utah while the nation fought to preserve rights abroad. He noted he had far less trouble from Japanese Americans than from alien Germans.
• The AFL and Race Tensions, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial argues that AFL campaigns against Japanese American businesses in Utah are based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats and are artificially manufactured. It traces the campaign to West Coast race-baiters and the AFL’s Teamsters Union.
• Salt Lake Telegram: Loyal Citizens Should Have Right to Return to Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Salt Lake Telegram argued that loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry should have full freedom to return to the Pacific Coast. It said that American citizens who prove loyalty should be free to make their homes wherever they choose.
• Deseret News Hits Reckless Charges Against Nisei Group, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Deseret News condemned the injection of racial hysteria into the business license debate and questioned importing speakers to stir resentment. It said reckless and unsubstantiated charges had been made against Japanese Americans who could not defend themselves.
• Denver Churches Dedicate Day to Race Relations, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Denver churches observed Race Relations Sunday with a service and a city-wide choir including Nisei. Rabbi David Goldstein and Rev. Junsaburo Kimori participated in the event.
• Rep. Ford Hits Sensational Headlines on Nisei Issues, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Rep. Tom Ford of California charged that publicity about Japanese American issues endangers American prisoners held by Japan. He said the Tule Lake disturbances had caused Japan to refuse Red Cross aid to prisoners.
• Auburn Citizens Deny Report Anti-Evacuee Parades Held, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Auburn, Washington citizens and the Globe-News disputed a Denver Post report that anti-evacuee parades had been held there. The paper said it found no evidence of such parades or mass meetings.
• FSA Modifies Stand Barring Farm Loans, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Farm Security Administration modified its order barring loans to persons of Japanese ancestry, allowing loans to eligible American citizens. Loans to enemy aliens remain prohibited.
• Sacramentan Seeks Business Ban on Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Attorney A. J. Harder, president of the Home Front Commandos, urged Sacramento to pass an ordinance prohibiting business operations by persons of Japanese ancestry after the war. He said he was frankly aiming at the Japanese.
• Weddings Highlight Nisei Activities in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Two weddings in Chicago were held on the same Sunday, uniting Ryo Kayama with Shiro Kunimatsu and June Matsumoto with Sgt. Shug Madokoro. The brides and grooms came from various relocation centers and cities.
• Pueblo Farm Group Reveals Pressure Against Evacuee, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Pueblo farmers’ committee spokesman said patriotic pressure caused the lone Japanese ancestry landowner in Pueblo County to leave the area. The group had been organized to fight land purchases by persons of Japanese ancestry.
• Aloha USO Entertains Camp Shelby Boys, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Aloha Center USO and Mr. Earl Finch presented an evening of entertainment for about 1,000 men at Camp Shelby. Performers included Don Manuelo, Corporal Savage Tanaka, and Lt. Stuart Bruce.
• Economy Declared Behind Order to Close Jerome Center, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Interior Secretary Harold Ickes announced that the Jerome relocation center will close in June as an economy move. He said its 6,554 evacuees will be moved to other centers or resettled individually.
• Manzanar Produces Home Grown Guayule, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Scientists and trainees at Manzanar are developing guayule rubber plants in a lath house and a ten-acre field. The project involves 18 workers handling growth, development, and rubber collection.
• Authorize Payment to Depositor in Sumitomo Bank, by P.C. Staff, page 8. More than $700,000 on deposit in the Sumitomo Bank of California, closed in December 1941, will be paid out under court authorization. Final liquidation of the Japanese-owned bank is expected by next fall.
• Christian Groups Aid Minorities, Says Rundquist, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George Rundquist of the Committee on Resettlement of Japanese Americans said Christian churches are increasingly promoting tolerance toward minorities. He reported that churches in the Midwest and East were aiding evacuees seeking to settle there.
• Intermountain District Delegates Hold Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 8. JACL delegates from seven Intermountain chapters met in Salt Lake City to discuss rising anti-Japanese agitation in Ogden, Salt Lake City, Davis County, and Brigham City. They passed resolutions on Army enlistment, the draft, and the 442nd Combat Team.
• San Fernando Group Opposes Return of Evacuees for Duration, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A San Fernando Valley resolution by Harry Sheppard asked that Japanese Americans be kept out of the valley for the duration of the war. The article reports this opposition to evacuee return.

Commentary

• Joe Grant Masaoka’s Column: California Race-Baiter Fails in Attempt to Incite Hatred Against Japanese Americans, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 3. Masaoka describes how Lechner’s attempt to stir hysteria against Japanese Americans in Salt Lake City collapsed when the audience demanded he be heard. He argues that the event demonstrated fair play toward persons of Japanese descent can be well championed.
• Toward Federal Action, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial calls for a national committee or federal department on interracial affairs to address rising racial hostility against Japanese Americans, Jews, and Blacks. It argues that local interracial committees need national backing and authority.
• What Makes Johnny Run?, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial criticizes John R. Lechner for fleeing the stage at the Salt Lake City meeting rather than letting a Japanese American respond to his charges. It concludes that Salt Lake audiences support democracy and that Lechner has disqualified himself as an expert.
• The Nisei Soldier, by Fred Yamamoto, page 4. Nisei soldier Fred Yamamoto explains that he volunteered out of faith in the country and that sitting on the fence brings no reward. The quote was taken from an interview by John Kitasako of the Heart Mountain Sentinel.
• Vagaries, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This column offers brief notes on California deportation legislation, a possible film on Japanese American soldiers, and Japanese American boxers. It also notes a fire near the former Japanese YMCA in San Francisco.
• Outcasts or Citizens: Progressive Canadian Party Backs Rights of Dominion’s Citizens of Japanese Ancestry, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article reviews a Canadian pamphlet and CCF policy calling for equal citizenship rights for Canadians of Japanese ancestry. It describes the disabilities they face in British Columbia and the economic roots of anti-Oriental feeling.
• By Their Deeds, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article argues that Nisei loyalty should be judged by their actions, citing their service, war bond purchases, Red Cross work, and salvage campaigns. It notes Japanese Americans are playing a vital role in the nation’s war effort.
• From the Frying Pan: WRA Camps May Become Like Iowa’s Amanas, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa compares the WRA relocation centers to the communal Amana colonies of Iowa, suggesting self-sufficient communities may develop there. He argues the WRA may need a new agency to care for residents who cannot relocate.
• Justice for All, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This editorial digest quotes Christian Science Monitor and Redwood City Tribune opinions opposing discriminatory legislation against Japanese Americans. Both papers argue against racial restrictions and for postponing the issue until after the war.
• From Our Readers: Lordsburg Shooting of Internees, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reader corrects a Pacific Citizen article, stating that two sick internees, Toshio Kobata and Isomura, were shot by a guard at the Lordsburg internment camp in July 1942. The reader says the guard’s claim of attempted escape was not credible.
• Topics, by Saburo Kido, page 6. Saburo Kido’s column notes that the curfew order was cited as precedent in a federal ballot debate, a dangerous constitutional development. It also comments on the Nisei response to the draft and urges the government to allow optional assignment to the 442nd.

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