Honoring Nisei military service: the June 2, 1963 Arlington services

Vol. 56, No. 22, May 31, 1963. 4 pages. View this issue

Nisei military service in World War II was the main subject of this four-page issue. The editorial praised a 21-page JACL Fact Sheet on the record of Japanese American soldiers, interpreters and translators, and said the paper would run it in three parts. Senator Hiram Fong had it entered in the Congressional Record. Mike Masaoka previewed the June 2 commemorative services at Arlington National Cemetery, and the final program named speakers including Gen. Jacob Devers and Dillon Myer. Col. Virgil Miller, former commander of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was honored at a Seattle dinner.

Other pages cover fair housing bills in Ohio and California, Senator Clair Engle’s push for immigration reform, and the 12th Nisei Relays. Min Yasui wrote about a Nisei war memorial in Denver, and Elmer Ogawa about a film on the Issei. Youth news includes the Jr. JACL meeting in Salt Lake City, plus the Waseda University hikers’ trip across the country.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Japanese American Military Service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Citizen editorial praises a 21-page JACL Fact Sheet recounting Nisei military participation in World War II, which the paper will publish in three parts. It notes the document’s value in documenting the combat team’s record and the contributions of Nisei interpreters and translators.
• Ye Editor’s Desk: JACL’s Public Role, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The editorial compares the Auto Club of Southern California’s public stance against a transit tax with JACL’s role advocating for Japanese Americans. It defends JACL’s right to speak for its members while acknowledging that not all Japanese Americans belong to the organization.
• Commemorative Services, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka previews the June 2 Arlington services honoring Nisei World War II veterans. He reflects on the wartime history of Japanese American military service and its role in winning acceptance.
• Ye Editor’s Desk Continued and Local Notes, page 3. Additional coverage of community and chapter news from the Pacific Citizen editorial desk. Items include regional developments and chapter announcements.

Military & Veterans

• Review of Nisei Record in WW2 Told in Senate, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong’s remarks praising Japanese American military service were inserted into the Congressional Record along with the JACL Fact Sheet. The statement recognizes the valor of Nisei soldiers and the upcoming Arlington commemoration on June 2.
• JACL Tribute to Nisei GIs Finalized, page 1. The final program for the June 2 Commemorative Services at Arlington National Cemetery honoring Japanese American World War II service was announced. Speakers and dignitaries include Mike Masaoka, Gen. Jacob Devers, and Dillon Myer.
• Ex-442nd RCT Commander Miller Visits Seattle, page 1. Col. Virgil Miller, former 442nd RCT commanding officer, visited Seattle and was honored at a dinner by the Nisei Veterans Committee. He had served on the University of Michigan faculty until January.
• Wide Press Coverage of June 2 Rites Expected, page 2. Coverage of JACL’s commemorative service at Arlington is expected from local press and wire services, according to John Yoshino. Television and radio coverage is hoped for as well.
• Military Intelligence Honored at Arlington Services, page 3. Several speakers and honorees at the Arlington Commemorative Services were noted, including Judge John Aliso and General Willoughby. The services honor Nisei who served in military intelligence in the Pacific.
• Rocky Mountain Nisei War Memorial, by Min Yasui, page 4. A monument honoring Nisei who died in military service was dedicated at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver. The project sought $20,000 to erect the memorial and endow a scholarship.

Community

• Youth to Meet in Salt Lake on National Draft, page 1. The National JACL Youth Commission will meet June 6-9 in Salt Lake City to draft recommendations for a national Jr. JACL program for the 1964 Detroit convention. Five subcommittees formed at the Seattle convention will present their findings.
• Midwest Youth Pick Detroit Jr. JACLer as DYC Chairman, page 1. About 70 Jr. JACL delegates from Midwest chapters elected new 1963-64 officers at a Detroit meeting April 19-21. The council also discussed plans for a Labor Day joint convention in Cleveland.
• Scholarships Given to Many Sansei, page 1. Several Sansei students received scholarships, including Dennis Fujita at UC Davis and Howard Henjyoji’s National Science Foundation fellowship. Other honorees include Grace Morizawa and the Inouye and Matsunaga recognitions.
• Nisei Week All Set for Aug. 10-18, page 1. The 23rd annual Nisei Week Festival will run August 10-18 in Los Angeles, featuring cultural events and the queen contest. Soichi Fukui is the general chairman.
• Issei Story Film Project, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. Northwest JACLer Frank Yamasaki is independently filming a documentary record of the Issei generation. The project seeks financial support to capture daily life and faces of surviving pioneers.
• Waseda Hikers Treated Royally by Utahns; Pace Picks Up, May Reach New York Sooner, page 2. Five Waseda University hikers crossing the country received extensive hospitality in Salt Lake City, including gratis Coca-Cola donations. Their schedule was accelerated and they are expected in New York earlier than planned.
• Utah Hikers Greeted by Local Officials, page 3. The Waseda University hikers were welcomed in Salt Lake City by local JACL leaders and community officials. Photos show the group at the city limits.
• Community to Honor Issei Pioneers, page 3. San Jose area organizations are inviting Issei aged 75 and older to an appreciation dinner in June. The event will honor pioneers with a program of tributes and entertainment.
• Librarian Moderates High School Radio Panel, page 3. Detroit branch librarian Ruth Tamura moderated a high school radio panel on the book Mother and Son by Ichiro Hatano. The book was a best-seller in Japan after its 1950 publication.
• Nisei Coxswain About to Call Last for U.C., page 3. Bob Shimasaki, son of past CCDC chairman Tom Shimasaki, will complete his career as coxswain for the University of California crew this semester. The team will compete in the national intercollegiate championship in Syracuse.
• Sequoia JACL Entries in Local Pony Leagues Noted, page 3. Sequoia JACL entered a senior baseball team in the local Pony League and appropriated funds for equipment and insurance. The chapter also fielded junior and Pee Wee teams with coaches and managers.
• Pacific Southwest District Council Convention Action, page 4. The PSW District Council convention voted to support Hi-Co youth and accepted its petition for JACL affiliation. Delegates also discussed membership and a foreign language bill.
• Hi-Co Petition to Affiliate with JACL Accepted by PSWDC, page 4. The Pacific Southwest District Council accepted the Hi-Co youth group’s petition to affiliate with JACL. A committee was appointed to finalize details of the affiliation.
• Jr. JACL Invited to National Youth Meeting, page 4. Youth delegates and district commissioners were invited to the National JACL Youth Commission meeting in Salt Lake City. Agenda items include Hi-Co’s movement in the Pacific Southwest district.
• Showcase 63 Slated June 29-30, page 4. The Chicago Jr. JACL will stage its fifth annual talent show June 29-30 at Olivet Institute to raise funds for youth projects and a scholarship. The program promises a variety of entertainment.
• Honoring Issei Pioneers at West Los Angeles Dinner, page 4. West Los Angeles JACL honored elderly Issei pioneers with scrolls and a cake at a community event. The chapter recognized long-time members for their contributions to the community.
• Fudenna Brothers Offer Land for Site of Civic Center, page 4. The city of Fremont is considering a civic center on land donated by the Fudenna family and others. A non-profit corporation proposal would finance a new city hall through stock sales.
• Sequoia JACL Interest in School Zone Shown, page 4. Sequoia JACL expressed interest in the school zone redistricting fight and adopted a resolution supporting the proposed Wilson boundary plan. The chapter board also discussed local educational issues.
• Kokusai Travel Offers Tours for 1964 Olympic Games, page 4. Kokusai International Travel announced five tour packages for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, with departures from Los Angeles in late September and early October. Advance reservations require a deposit.

National

• Ohio Assembly Urged to Pass Fair Housing Bill by JACL, page 1. The Cleveland JACL chapter gave unqualified support to Ohio HB 308, a fair housing bill prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry. The article details the bill’s provisions and enforcement mechanisms.
• June Hearings on Immigration Bill Sought by Engle, page 1. Senator Clair Engle asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to act quickly on his bipartisan bill to eliminate racial and national origin discrimination in immigration law. He urged hearings in June to reform the immigration quota system.
• Senate Group Passes Anti-Bias Bill on Real Estate Agents, page 1. A California Senate committee recommended a bill allowing the state real estate commissioner to forbid discriminatory practices by brokers and salesmen. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator George Miller and Assemblyman Jesse Unruh.
• Fair Housing Bill in Rough Go in Senate Committee, page 1. Senate President pro tempore Hugh Burns indicated Governor Brown’s fair housing bill may be drastically revised or shelved. The committee will consider killing the bill, amending it, or referring it to a study commission.
• Supreme Court Strikes Major Blow at Race Segregation Again, page 3. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Kennedy’s Alabama order and ruled that Memphis must integrate its public facilities immediately. Justice Goldberg’s opinion warned against further delay in implementing constitutional rights.

Sports

• Eight Records Fall at 12th Nisei Relays, page 1. Eight new records were set at the 12th annual JACL Nisei Relays at University High in Los Angeles. Ron Muranaka, Ray Matsukane, and Henry Hoshino were among the standout performers.
• Nisei Relays Results Summary, page 3. Complete results from the 12th annual JACL Nisei Relays are listed by division, including open, junior, midget, and cub events. Team and individual scoring is included.
• Impressions, by Isaac Matsushige, page 4. PSW Regional Director Isaac Matsushige recalls the athletic spirit of the 12th Nisei Relays and the meaningfulness of youth sports. He notes C.K. Yang’s mentorship of the young participants.

In-Depth

• Japanese Canadian History Manuscript Nears Final Chapter, page 3. Ken Adachi’s history of the Japanese Canadians has been in progress since 1958 with a budget of $16,000. The manuscript covers immigration, the wartime evacuation, and postwar dispersal and resettlement.

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