Welcome home for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Vol. 23, No. 1, July 6, 1946. 8 pages. View this issue

The return of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team filled this eight-page issue. Larry Tajiri described how thousands greeted the troopship Wilson Victory in New York harbor on July 2, and a front-page story reported the War Department’s welcoming ceremony at Camp Kilmer, where Assistant Secretary McCloy recounted how he fought to create the unit. Inside are the unit’s campaigns in Italy and France, its awards, its athletic titles, and the 650 men who died in action. John Kitasako’s Washington column profiled Earl Finch, who adopted the unit.

Other pages covered claims for losses from the forced removal, with JACL asking for hearings on evacuation claims bills S. 2127 and H.R. 6780. Commentary included Tajiri’s “No Nisei Bloc Voting” and an editorial on the end of the federal FEPC. Bill Hosokawa wrote about driving to Denver, and Nisei intelligence work in the Pacific was described.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Army Officers Praise 442nd in Welcoming Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Army officials including Assistant Secretary McCloy and General Guenther welcomed the 442nd Regimental Combat Team home at Camp Kilmer, praising its record. McCloy recounted how he fought to create the unit despite opposition.
• New York Goes All Out for Nisei Vets, by Larry Tajiri, page 1. Thousands greeted the 442nd veterans as the troopship Wilson Victory docked in New York harbor on July 2. Officials and veterans’ groups paid tribute to the returning Nisei soldiers.
• Nisei Combat Team to Parade Before President Truman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 442nd will parade in Washington before President Truman around July 13 before deactivation at Fort Belvoir around July 15. The unit leaves Camp Kilmer for Fort Belvoir on July 8.
• Army Officials Praise Record of Nisei Regiment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. General Devers and other Army officers praised the 442nd’s combat record at its welcoming ceremony. The Army said the unit’s achievements would inspire future American soldiers.
• Japanese Americans Fought in Major Campaigns in War, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s campaigns in Italy and France are chronicled, from Leghorn to the rescue of the Lost Battalion. The unit’s heavy casualties and battlefield achievements are detailed.
• 5,000 Individual Awards Won by Men of 442nd Infantry, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 442nd earned more major decorations than any comparable unit, including a Medal of Honor and dozens of Distinguished Service Crosses. The article lists unit citations and individual awards.
• 1,300 Members of 442nd Unit Still in Italy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. After 500 men of the 442nd returned to the United States, 1,300 enlisted personnel not yet eligible for discharge remained in Italy. They were reassigned to other units of the Peninsular Base Section.
• Half of Returning Group Will Be Discharged in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Of the 483 enlisted men and 19 officers returning on the Wilson Victory, 234 were to be shipped to Hawaii for discharge. The rest were released in the mainland United States.
• Ten Members of Original 442nd Return, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Eight officers and two enlisted men who were members of the original 442nd Infantry returned on the Wilson Victory. The article names each returnee and their posts.
• Men of 442nd Won Many Championships in Athletics, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Members of the 442nd excelled in overseas GI competition, winning swimming, baseball, volleyball and basketball titles. The unit’s athletic record during occupation duty is summarized.
• 650 of 442nd’s Men Died in Action Overseas, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Six hundred fifty members of the 442nd Combat Team were killed in action overseas. Thousands more were wounded or became casualties from combat-induced illnesses.
• Returnees on Wilson Hold Valor Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Three Silver Star winners and seven Bronze Star recipients were among the 481 enlisted men who arrived in New York from Italy. The article names the decorated veterans.
• Colors of Famed 100th Infantry May Return to Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The colors of the 100th Infantry Battalion returned to the United States with the 442nd and may be taken to Hawaii for inactivation ceremonies. The 100th had a distinguished combat record in Italy.
• Intelligence Captain Reveals Aid of Nisei G-2s in Capture of Enemy Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Captain Edward J. O’Leary credited Nisei intelligence men, especially Tech. Sgt. Harry Suzukawa, with helping capture 23 Japanese officers and prison guards accused of abuse. Their language skills helped identify suspects by aliases and descriptions.
• Role of Nisei in Propaganda War Detailed, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Gustave Carlson described how Nisei intelligence men produced enemy-targeted broadcasts and leaflets in the China-Burma-India theater. Prisoners reported relying on these pamphlets for war news.
• Parents Will Receive Award for Son’s Valor, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Silver Star awarded posthumously to Tech. Sgt. Thomas T. Sagamori of Berkeley will be presented to his parents. He was killed in action near Mount Folgorito in Italy after leading attacks on enemy positions.
• Note Important Role of Nisei in Occupation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas F. Wall described the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section in Tokyo, staffed mostly by Nisei, as vital to the occupation and democratization of Japan. ATIS began in combat at Bataan in 1942.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL Headquarters Requests Hearings on Indemnity Bills, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Headquarters requested hearings before congressional committees on evacuation claims bills S. 2127 and its House companion. The organization wants to present its reactions to the indemnity measure.
• House Receives Indemnity Bill for Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An evacuation claims bill, H.R. 6780, was introduced in the House to indemnify persons of Japanese ancestry for losses from the 1942 evacuation. It is a companion to Senate Bill 2127 and has been sent to committee.
• Continuing Agency for Evacuee Problems Asked by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL asked the Department of Interior to create a continuing agency to resolve unfinished evacuation problems after the WRA closed June 30. The request was sent to Undersecretary Oscar Chapman.
• Oakland Woman Regains Right to Citizenship, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mrs. Kuritsubo of Oakland regained U.S. citizenship after a four-year delay caused by the 1942 evacuation, which prevented her from attending her final court hearing. She was granted naturalization last week.

Commentary

• Detroit News Editorial Revises Position on Status of Deportees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Detroit News reversed its stance and endorsed the Eberharter bill giving the attorney general discretion to stay deportations. It argues the loyal service of long-term resident aliens during the war justifies relief.
• Singapore Letter, by Gordon J. Kirley, page 3. A reader in Singapore asks to stay in touch with Nisei friends and suggests Hollywood make a film about Nisei soldiers. He says the Pacific Citizen reached him months late.
• No Nisei Bloc Voting, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri argues that Nisei voters have never acted as a racial bloc, with voting driven by economic status like other citizens. He reviews past elections and the Nisei role in Hawaiian politics.
• Death of the FEPC, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial mourns the expiration of the federal Fair Employment Practices Committee on June 30 and cites New York’s state law as proof job equality can be legislated. It urges the FEPC be made permanent.
• A Place in History, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial honors the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as an experimental unit that proved Japanese American loyalty and helped the WRA relocation effort. It calls the New York welcome a fitting tribute.
• Simple Justice, by Christian Advocate, page 4. The Christian Advocate editorial urges passage of Senator Ellender’s Senate Bill 2127 to establish an Evacuation Claims Commission. It argues that Japanese Americans deserve simple justice for their loyalty.
• Washington News-Letter: Earl Finch, Godfather of the 442nd, by John Kitasako, page 5. The column profiles Earl Finch, who adopted the 442nd and spent his own money hosting Nisei soldiers at parties and events. Finch explains his devotion as simply enjoying making the boys happy.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa describes his cross-country drive to Denver, noting postwar housing shortages and sharp price increases after OPA lapsed. He also recounts repeated repair costs on his used car.

Community

• Rev. Brooks Moore Honored by Idaho Falls YPC, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Idaho Falls YPC held a reception on June 25 honoring Rev. Brooks Moore, who was reappointed as pastor. Members celebrated his service to the church.
• Rev. Susu-Mago Accepts Post in Hawaiian Church, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Hawaiian-born minister Rev. Royden T. Susu-Mago, a founder of an interracial Los Angeles church, left for a new pastorate in Hawaii. He had previously served as music director at a Japanese union church.
• Japanese Missionaries Return, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Five Japanese fishermen rescued after 36 days adrift were converted to Pentecostal Christianity in Seattle and returned to Japan as missionaries. They were aided by Koki Osugi, a former prisoner who had himself converted.
• Spokane JACL Plans to Hold Community Picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Spokane JACL is hosting the first community-wide postwar picnic at Audubon Park on July 7. Baseball, races and games are planned.
• Cincinnati Nisei Outing, by P.C. Staff, page 8. About fifty Cincinnati Nisei enjoyed a summer outing at Handle Bar Ranch on June 23 with bicycling, dancing and a hayride. The event was sponsored by the Young People’s Activities committee.
• Idaho Falls YPC Holds Election, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Yoshiko Ochi was elected president of the Idaho Falls YPC at a June 23 meeting. The new officers were installed June 30 with Rev. Brooks Moore leading the ceremony.
• California Will Vote on FEPC in November, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A fair employment practices initiative petition qualified for California’s November ballot with 181,297 signatures. It would prohibit racial and religious discrimination in industrial hiring.
• Court Allows Nisei Interest in Corporation, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A San Diego judge ordered the Nippon Company, owned by Japanese Americans, to be partly forfeited under the Alien Land Law, with shares held by Nisei remaining in the corporation. The district attorney had argued the majority owners were ineligible aliens.

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