Vol. 19, No. 26, December 30, 1944. 8 pages. View this issue
The Army’s revocation of the exclusion order, and the reaction to it, ran through this 8-page issue. Interior Secretary Ickes promised the government’s support to loyal Japanese Americans as they reestablish themselves. WRA assistant director Robert Cozzens said about 60,000 people were expected to return to the West Coast, gradually. Others spoke against it: the California State Grange and western Yolo County residents proposed bans and boycotts, while West Coast CIO unions and a Los Angeles Catholic council pledged fair treatment. Larry Tajiri’s “Climate on the Coast” weighed officials’ responses, and Bill Hosokawa wrote “The Day Travel Was Frozen” and “Exile’s Return.”
The front page also carried military news. The War Department listed Japanese American soldiers wounded in Europe, and 37 troops of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were decorated for the rescue of the Lost Battalion. The JACL announced a San Francisco office opening January 3, with Teiko Ishida in charge.
What’s in this issue
Military & Veterans
- Japanese American GIs Reported Wounded in Action in Battle for Germany, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The War Department identified Japanese American soldiers wounded in action in the European area, presumably in the battle for Germany. Next of kin in 20 states and Hawaii were notified of the casualties.
- 37 Nisei Troops Decorated in Rescue of Lost Battalion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Twenty-nine soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were decorated for heroism in the rescue of the 141st Regiment’s Lost Battalion in France, with eight others posthumously honored. Gen. Dahlquist praised the unit for gaining all objectives through difficult terrain.
- Sgt. Yamaguchi Wins Citation in Burma War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Technical Sergeant Jimmie N. Yamaguchi of Los Angeles was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in the north Burma campaign. He served with Merrill’s Marauders and earned several combat decorations.
- Two Wounded, One Missing in France, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two Nisei soldiers were wounded and one reported missing in action in France, according to notices to next of kin. The casualties included Pfc. George Funai, Staff Sgt. Charles Shimomura, and Pfc. Noriyuki Tashima.
- Gls in the Pacific Say: This Is an Anti-Fascist War, by Midpacifican, page 2. A reprinted Midpacifican editorial condemns racist attitudes after a Nisei veteran was refused service at an Arizona barbershop. It argues that the war is a fight for an idea that rejects racial superiority.
- Nisei Officer Wounded Four Times in Battle for Europe, by Robert C. Miller, page 4. Lieut. Dick Hamasaki, who carries five citations and a shattered leg, is traveling home to Hawaii after combat in France. Miller reported on the wounded officer’s wartime experiences and his family history.
JACL
- JACL to Open San Francisco Office Jan. 3, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL announced it will open a San Francisco office on January 3, 1945, with Teiko Ishida in charge. The office will focus on public relations and resettlement assistance on the West Coast.
National
- Full Force of Government’s Support Promised to Loyal Japanese Americans by Ickes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Interior Secretary Ickes said loyal Japanese Americans would have the full backing of the government as they reestablish themselves outside the relocation centers. He praised their loyalty record and discussed the West Coast reaction to the revocation of the exclusion order.
- Justice Department Expected to Take Over Tule Lake Camp, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Justice Department is reportedly expected to take over operation of the Tule Lake segregation center, which holds about 18,700 persons. The report was circulated in Washington.
- Legion Post in Los Angeles Asks Full Rights for Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. American Legion Post No. 8 in Los Angeles unanimously passed a resolution condemning refusal to grant Japanese American ex-servicemen equal rights. The resolution urged full constitutional protection for returning evacuees.
Incarceration & Redress
- Many Evacuees Plan to Remain Outside Coast Area, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Thousands of evacuees from Los Angeles County have decided not to return to the coast, and their household goods are being shipped to eastern and midwestern cities. WRA area supervisor Earl W. Barton reported the trend.
- Pacific Coast CIO Unions Pledge Whole-Hearted Effort Toward Fair Play for Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. West Coast CIO unions, including the ILWU and National Maritime Union, endorsed the Army’s revocation of the exclusion order and pledged to ensure fair treatment of returning evacuees. The unions praised Nisei soldiers for their wartime service.
- Gardenans May Reconsider Refusal to List Name of Dead Nisei Hero on Honor Plaque, by Drew Pearson, page 3. Pvt. Kiyoshi Muranaga of Gardena, California, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross but his name was barred from the city’s honor roll. Community leaders said the omission did not reflect the town’s feelings and may be reconsidered.
- Expect 60 Thousand Evacuees to Return to Former Homes on Coast in Next 18 Months, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Approximately 60,000 persons of Japanese ancestry are expected to return to the West Coast after the exclusion order is lifted on January 2, though the return will be gradual. WRA assistant director Robert Cozzens said relocation outside the coast will continue.
- California State Grange Seeks Evacuee Ban, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California State Grange vowed to use peaceable but vigorous means to prevent the return of evacuees of Japanese ancestry to the Pacific Coast. The organization called the Army’s revocation order ill-advised and dangerous.
- Catholic Group Raps Attitude of L.A. Mayor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Los Angeles Catholic Interracial Council criticized Mayor Fletcher Bowron’s reaction to the Army order allowing evacuees to return. Council chairman Daniel G. Marshall said the mayor’s statements were an illegal threat against lawful returnees.
- Justice Department Legionnaires Condemn Hood River Action, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Justice Department post of the American Legion condemned the Hood River, Oregon post for removing Japanese American soldiers’ names from a county war memorial. The post called the action contrary to American ideals.
- Boycott Against Evacuees Proposed in Western Yolo, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Residents of western Yolo County voted unanimously to boycott returning evacuees. Assemblyman Lloyd Lowrey and others attended the meeting.
Obituaries
- Haru Tashiro Passes Away, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Haru Tashiro, a 1939 graduate of the University of California School of Nursing, died on December 14 at a Fresno County sanitarium after an extended illness. She had been employed at the Fresno County General Hospital.
Community
- Nisei Coaches Nebraska Prep Eleven to Successful Season, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Coach Ida led the Deshler, Nebraska high school football team to a successful season, losing only one game. The story was reported by sports commentator Tom Dailey on station WOW.
- Milwaukee Journal Honored by Interracial Federation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Milwaukee Journal received a scroll from the Interracial Federation of Milwaukee for promoting interracial amity and supporting resettling Nisei. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual meeting.
- Nisei Attend Coast Social, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The largest gathering of Japanese Americans on the West Coast since evacuation took place at a Palo Alto home on December 12. Several servicemen from Dibble hospital attended the event.
Commentary
- Climate on the Coast, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. The editorial notes that most West Coast officials accepted the Army’s decision lifting the exclusion orders with good grace. It criticizes Mayors Bowron and Riley for hostile statements while praising Governor Warren and other officials for supporting fair treatment.
- The Day Travel Was Frozen, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa recalls his drive out of San Francisco on March 29, 1942, just before General DeWitt’s travel freeze took effect. He describes the grim faces of evacuees on the desert highway and the sense of loss at that time.
- Exile’s Return, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa argues that the wartime evacuation, though painful, opened new opportunities for Nisei to work and live across America. He contends the episode strengthened democracy by exposing racism and showing Nisei loyalty.
- Dr. Lechner Works Both Sides of the Street, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article examines Dr. John R. Lechner’s public statements against Japanese American return, including a Brawley protest meeting, and his invitation to JACL leaders for a conference. It describes his role in organizing anti-evacuee groups while claiming to seek compromise.
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