Vol. 37, No. 9, August 28, 1953. 8 pages. View this issue
Sgt. Hiroshi Miyamura of Gallup, New Mexico, was the subject of the front page. After he was released from Korean captivity, the Pentagon made public the text of his Medal of Honor citation, and the paper ran it in full. An editorial on page 8 celebrated the pride his story brought to Japanese Americans. Pfc. Billy K. Hatano of Sacramento also came home after 33 months as a prisoner of war. Inside, Mike Masaoka wrote about nearly $25 million in wartime evacuation claims set to be paid to over 20,000 claimants by the end of September, and recounted JACL’s role in winning the Evacuation Claims Act.
Other pages followed flood relief for Japan, with Northern California passing $42,000 and New York sending $3,762. Hawaii planned a large Citizenship Day, and 140 Chicago Issei finished citizenship classes. Curtis Otani interviewed Yasutaro Soga, and an editorial urged gifts to the National JACL Endowment Fund.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Long-Kept Secret Citation of Medal of Honor Winner Released, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pentagon released the text of the Medal of Honor citation for Cpl. Hiroshi Miyamura of Gallup, New Mexico, after his release from Korean captivity. The citation describes his heroic stand against overwhelming Chinese forces on April 24-25, 1951.
- Sacramento Nisei Prisoner of War Home from Korea Among First Mainlanders Freed in Operation Big Switch, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pfc. Billy K. Hatano of Sacramento returned home to a large family welcome after 33 months as a prisoner of war in Korea. He described harsh camp conditions, food shortages, and his efforts to prove he was American to his captors.
Community
- No. Calif. Passes $42,000 Mark for Japan Flood Aid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Northern California’s Japan flood relief drive reached $42,000 as outlying areas reported their totals. San Francisco, Sacramento, and the Buddhist Church of America were among the largest contributors.
- New York Japanese Send $3,762 for Flood Relief, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese American Committee of New York concluded its Japan flood relief campaign with $3,726.50 collected. Two $1,000 checks had already been sent to the Japan Red Cross.
- Hawaii Preparing to Celebrate Citizenship Day on Grand Scale, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Honolulu plans a large Citizenship Day observance on Sept. 17 featuring a mass swearing-in ceremony before Judge J. Frank McLaughlin. Organizers hope to draw hundreds of families and the general public to the event.
- Fisherman Rescued After Navy Tug Rams Boat, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle fisherman Yuki Wada was rescued from Puget Sound after a Navy tug struck and sank his 16-foot boat. A ferry lifeboat was dispatched but the tug crew reached him first.
- Soga Recalls Hawaii Pioneer Years; Advises Nisei in Politics, by Curtis Otani, page 3. Yasutaro Soga, editor-emeritus of the Hawaii Times, reflects on his decades championing Japanese immigrant workers and community institutions. He urges Nisei to focus on building quality leaders rather than relying on sheer numbers in politics.
- 140 Chicagoans Study Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A class of 140 Issei completed Americanization courses sponsored by the Chicago JACL and Resettlers Committee. More than 200 have applied for naturalization and 15 have been sworn in as citizens.
Incarceration & Redress
- $25,000,000 in Evacuation Claims, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports that nearly $25 million in wartime evacuation claims will be paid to over 20,000 claimants by the end of September. He explains that roughly $35 to $50 million more remains to be paid and outlines JACL’s ongoing legislative efforts.
JACL
- History of the Law, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka recounts JACL’s central role in securing the Evacuation Claims Act, from early lobbying in 1942 through congressional passage. He credits JACL with reducing attorney fees and protecting appropriations for awarded claims.
- Endowment Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial urges chapters to solicit donations to the National JACL Endowment Fund from newly paid evacuation claimants. It argues the fund would eliminate annual door-to-door fundraising drives.
National
- Crown Prince Akihito Visit, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japan’s Crown Prince Akihito will tour nine U.S. cities in September, with official stops in Washington, D.C. and a Japan-America Society dinner in New York. The visit has prompted speculation about his future bride.
Commentary
- Anti U.S. Japanese Movies, page 5. Reprinted commentary from the Argus-Observer notes that anti-American propaganda is booming in Japan through books and films. The writer argues this stems from wartime defeat resentment and profit motives, and warns of damage to future relations.
- Very Truly Yours: Medal of Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial praises Sgt. Miyamura’s Medal of Honor and the story of his heroism. It celebrates the pride this brings to Japanese Americans and the Gallup community.
- Commonwealth Status, page 8. The editorial examines Puerto Rico’s first year as a U.S. commonwealth, describing its autonomous constitution and political status. It raises the question of whether Hawaii might similarly seek commonwealth status.
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