The 1966 holiday issue: the Evacuation, 25 years after

Vol. 63, No. 26, December 23, 1966. 70 pages. View this issue

The 25th anniversary of the 1942 forced removal of Japanese Americans shaped this holiday issue. P.C. Staff pieces recounted the removal of about 110,000 people from the West Coast, the Korematsu decision, and the property losses that far exceeded what the claims program paid. Mike Masaoka wrote on JACL’s role and on the Nisei who volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Personal accounts came from Gwenn Nakanishi, Charlotte DePorest on the closing of Manzanar, and Ellen Nakamura on the train from Fresno to Jerome.

Other pages looked beyond the camps. Bill Hosokawa wrote on Japanese American relations, Henry Taketa on the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony at Gold Hill, and Marie Kurihara on the growth of Junior JACL. Mike Masaoka’s Washington office report, chapter news from San Jose, Sacramento, Sonoma County and Seabrook, and a 1966 necrology are inside. About 34 of its 70 pages carry holiday greetings.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Evacuation as Highlighted in Holiday Issue: Twenty-Five Years After, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Holiday Issue marks the 25th anniversary of the 1942 Evacuation, presenting special articles on the event, its property losses, and JACL’s role. The issue’s editor introduces the contributors and the decision to devote the issue to the Evacuation.
• Why Leadership Fell on JACL at Evacuation Time, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL leaders decided to urge cooperation with the Evacuation, a decision that was unpopular and cost the organization membership, but which the article argues was made to protect the community. The piece describes JACL’s later work on relocation, Selective Service, and the formation of the 442nd.
• Year of the Truck, by Gwenn Nakanishi, page 2. A Cleveland mother recalls a Christmas when her son received many toy trucks and her husband remembered the family’s lost truck and farm in Isleton, California, lost to the Evacuation. The personal story shows how the Evacuation ended the family’s prosperity.
• Evacuation as a History of Losses, by Mike Masaoka, page 3. Washington Representative Mike Masaoka argues that no existing book on the Evacuation accurately records JACL’s role in the decisions made during the war. He calls for a definitive account of JACL’s leadership and urges that the story be written by JACL itself.
• Order of Evacuation Brings On One of America’s Greatest Swindles, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This feature examines the property losses suffered by evacuees, citing Bradford Smith, the War Relocation Authority report, and the Tolan Committee. It describes how confusion, forced sales, and inadequate government protection caused widespread financial ruin.
• Case Histories of Evacuee Property Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article presents specific case histories documenting losses from forced sales, storage failures, vandalism, arson, and mismanagement of property. It illustrates the scope of losses through accounts of individual families’ experiences.
• Evacuation Case Histories: Nichiren Church and Other Losses, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Continuing the case histories, the article describes looting of stored goods at the Nichiren Church in Los Angeles, a fire on Vashon Island, and losses from a farm lease and business mismanagement. The accounts document widespread vandalism and theft of evacuee property.
• Manzanar Closing: Recollections of Resettlement, by Charlotte DePorest, page 9. A former Manzanar welfare worker recounts the camp’s closing from 1944 to 1945, the resettlement process, and the role of director Ralph Merritt. She describes the final departures and the last evacuee leaving the camp on November 21, 1945.
• Riot at Santa Anita, by P.C. Staff, page 14. A reminiscence describes a 1942 disturbance at Santa Anita Assembly Center sparked by a camp search for contraband and anger at a Korean informer. The author recounts how military police dispersed the crowd without bloodshed.
• Christmas Sketches, by Father Clement, page 16. Father Clement recalls driving a pick-up truck dressed as Santa’s sleigh to deliver Christmas cheer to evacuees at Poston, Gila River, and Minidoka during 1942 to 1944. He describes midnight masses in the barracks and the spiritual meaning of Christmas in camp.
• Economic Losses, by Kiichi Sakauye, page 16. A short piece describes economic losses sustained by evacuees in farming, business, and property. It summarizes how evacuation wiped out savings and livelihoods.
• Fresno to Jerome, by Ellen Nakamura, page 22. Ellen Nakamura describes a train journey from Fresno Assembly Center to the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas in October 1942. Her travel notes include passing through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Dallas.
• The Japanese American Creed and the Evacuation Oath, by P.C. Staff, page 25. The issue reprints the JACL creed and aspects of the organization’s ideals, reflecting on the Japanese American commitment to citizenship. It frames the creed as a statement of loyalty developed through the Evacuation experience.

In-Depth

• It Really Happened, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This article recounts the arbitrary mass evacuation of about 110,000 persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast in 1942, including the Supreme Court’s Korematsu decision and the claims program that paid out about $38 million. It estimates property losses far exceeded the compensation paid.
• Chronological Highlights of the Japanese American Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A dated chronology runs from the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941 through the 1945 end of exclusion, covering Executive Order 9066, the establishment of WCCA and WRA, relocation centers, and the Supreme Court decisions in Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Endo.
• Mayflower of the Pacific, by Henry Taketa, page 6. Sacramento attorney Henry Taketa tells the story of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony at Gold Hill, established in 1869 by Japanese immigrants, and of Okei’s grave. He describes the colony’s failure and its significance as the start of Japanese agriculture in California.

Commentary

• Farewell to Poston, by Anonymous, page 2. An anonymous poem bids farewell to the Poston relocation center, recalling its heat, food, friendships, and hardships. It captures the mixed memories of camp life.
• Japanese-American Relations: Worthy Partners for Building Peace, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Denver Post editor Bill Hosokawa argues that Japanese Americans can help bridge U.S. and Japanese relations and that Japan is a key Asian partner. He urges Nisei to take an interest in the Pacific and to act as ambassadors of goodwill.
• Mike Masaoka’s Washington Office Report, by Mike Masaoka, page 17. Washington Representative Mike Masaoka reports on the 1964-66 biennium, covering immigration reform, the end of the Evacuation claims program, civil rights legislation, and national political developments. He describes JACL’s continuing work toward equal treatment of Japanese Americans.
• Water Buffalos, by Naoto Nakashima, page 21. A short story, translated from Japanese, follows a young boy in old Hawaii as he watches chickens, rice birds, and water buffalo with neighbor Mr. Maehara. The tale captures childhood curiosity and the quiet rhythms of plantation life.

Military & Veterans

• Greatest Swindle: Government Failure to Protect Evacuee Property, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article examines the government’s failure to protect evacuee property, quoting the Tolan Committee’s 1942 recommendations and the Federal Reserve Bank’s role. It concludes that the handling of property was a sorry part of the wartime record.
• Ninety Percent of Nisei Fighting Men Volunteered, by Mike Masaoka, page 12. Masaoka describes the Army’s decision to accept Nisei volunteers and the record of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and military intelligence Nisei in the Pacific. He notes that the Nisei fought as Americans despite their families being interned.

Arts & Entertainment

• Flowering of a New Era: Hollywood JACL Finally Lives Up to Reputation, by Henry Mori, page 6. Profile of Muriel Merrell, the new 1967 president of Hollywood JACL, a former stage performer and ikebana instructor. She describes her interest in Japanese flower arrangement and her plans for the chapter.

JACL

• Junior JACL Comes True, by Marie Kurihara, page 7. Marie Kurihara traces the development of the national Junior JACL program from the 1961 founding meeting through the 1966 San Diego convention. She recounts the committees, interim meetings, and the formation of a national youth council.

Sports

• Hardly a Dull Moment, by Mack Yamaguchi, page 8. Sportswriter Mack Yamaguchi recalls his youth in Cortez, the evacuation to Merced Assembly Center, and the move to Granada (Amache) relocation camp. He describes camp sports, the camp newspaper, and the pride felt for the 442nd.

Obituaries

• Necrology 1966, by P.C. Staff, page 23. A list of persons of Japanese ancestry and JACL figures who died in 1966 is presented, including Larry Tajiri, Abe Hagiwara, and Dr. James Takao. Each is briefly identified with date and community.

Community

• San Jose JACL Plans 1968 National Convention, by Phil Matsumura, page 24. The San Jose JACL convention steering committee has selected August 20-24, 1968 for the national convention, and summarizes the chapter’s 1966 activities, membership growth, and scholarship awards. The article also lists its new officers for 1967.
• Sacramento JACL Reviews a Busy Year, by Bill Tsumoto, page 29. Sacramento JACL’s 1966 events are reviewed, including its installation, membership drive, community picnic, and tournament. The chapter’s preparations for the Okei grave centennial are also noted.
• Sonoma County JACL Continues Successful Program, by P.C. Staff, page 33. The Sonoma County JACL reached 499 members in 1966 and sponsored 24 programmed events, including bowling, a sportsmen’s club, and a youth group. The chapter’s board communication system is also described.
• Seabrook JACL Hosts Eastern District Council, by P.C. Staff, page 69. The Seabrook JACL hosted a successful Eastern District Council meeting in December attended by 35 members from four chapters. Chapter activities for the year, including scholarships and civic contributions, are summarized.

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