Terrorism against returning Japanese Americans, and the Army’s say on the West Coast

Vol. 21, No. 5, August 4, 1945. 8 pages. View this issue

A federal grand jury in Sacramento was asked to indict James E. Watson and Claude P. Watson over January 1945 terror raids on the Doi farm near Auburn, California, among a series of anti-evacuee attacks reported in the state that year. Around that story the editorial page took up the return west. Unsigned editorials backed an eight-point plan from the Los Angeles chapter of the National Citizens Political Action Committee and welcomed Gen. H. C. Pratt’s statement that the Army, not the War Relocation Authority, decides who may return. Larry Tajiri surveyed the Japanese American press, from the prewar dailies to the camp papers, and Mary Oyama described her family’s homecoming to Los Angeles.

Soldiers filled the news pages: the Distinguished Unit Citation for the Second Battalion of the 442nd Combat Team, Combat Medics Badges for 142 medics, and a Bronze Star for Sgt. Albert H. Ichihara. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the 442nd in his column, and the Rohwer Outpost printed its last issue as a newspaper.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Federal Indictment Asked Against Anti-Nisei Terrorists, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Federal Grand Jury in Sacramento is being asked to indict James E. Watson and Claude P. Watson on charges arising from January 1945 terror raids on the Doi farm near Auburn, California. The raids were among a series of anti-evacuee terrorist actions reported in California since the start of the year.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Soldier Honored by GIs in Italy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pfc. Isamu Aoki of Salt Lake City, a member of the 442nd Combat Team, was elected president of the student council at the servicemen’s college in Florence, Italy. He is studying agriculture and is rated first in his class.
• Presidential Award Given in Recognition of Three Actions by Nisei Troops in France, Italy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Second Battalion of the 442nd Combat Team received the Distinguished Unit Citation from President Truman for combat actions at Bruyeres, Biffontaine, and in the Italian drive. The citation details the battalion’s tactical operations at Hill 503, Hill 617, and along the Ligurian Coast.
• Sgt. Ichihara Wins Bronze Star Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sergeant Albert H. Ichihara of Seattle received the Bronze Star for restoring communications under enemy fire on the Fifth Army front in Italy. The citation praised his unselfish effort in forwarding urgent messages.
• Special Nisei Teams Demonstrate Enemy Tactics in Army Training Program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Picked Japanese American volunteers at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, are instructing Pacific-bound GIs on Japanese soldier tactics, weapons, and psychology. The Nisei trainers were given special intelligence instruction at Fort Snelling before being assigned to the program.
• Nisei Sergeant Wins Bronze Star Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sergeant Albert H. Ichihara of Seattle was awarded the Bronze Star for repairing a communications line under enemy mortar fire in Italy. His exposure to danger ensured urgent messages reached his company.
• 442nd Medics Receive New Combat Badges, by P.C. Staff, page 3. 142 medics of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who had seen action under fire received the Combat Medics Badge. Colonel Virgil R. Miller presented the badges in ceremonies honoring the combat aid men.
• Gen. Pratt Declares Army Has Sole Responsibility in Return of Evacuees to West Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Western Defense Command commander Gen. H. C. Pratt stated that the Army alone determines which persons of Japanese ancestry may return to the West Coast, based solely on military considerations. He clarified that the War Relocation Authority has no authority in that determination.

Community

• Rohwer Outpost Publishes Last Issue as Newspaper, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Rohwer Outpost, the evacuee publication at the Rohwer relocation center, discontinued newspaper publication with its July 21 issue due to staff relocation and worker shortages. English bulletins will continue to share essential news while the Japanese section carries on for now.
• Twin Daughters Born to Mrs. Hirabayashi, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twin daughters were born to Mrs. Hirabayashi in Seattle, whose husband Gordon Hirabayashi is a conscientious objector imprisoned for refusing civilian public service. The family are Quakers, and the case of Hirabayashi had been decided by the Supreme Court.
• JACL, Nisei Council in Milwaukee, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Milwaukee Nisei Council and local JACL chapter announced efforts to welcome new resettlers with assistance on questions and problems, except for housing. Contacts were listed for those seeking help.

National

• Anti-Bias Law Protects Nisei in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A member of New York’s commission against discrimination stated that the state’s new anti-discrimination law prohibits employers from refusing jobs to persons of Japanese or German descent based solely on racial origin. Exceptions may be made only for firms doing vital war work where the War Department requests such exclusions.

Sports

• CIO Seamen Rap Nisei-Baiting as Fascistic Activity, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The West Coast Marine Cooks and Stewards Association, CIO, unanimously condemned violence against Americans of Japanese ancestry as fascist tactics. The resolution pledged the union to fight for democratic rights of all people.
• Nakama, Nisei Swim Ace, Leads Ohio Baseball Team, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Keo Nakama, national AAU swimming champion, was elected honorary captain of the Ohio State University baseball team at the close of the collegiate season. A native of Hawaii, he also captained the university swimming team in 1944 and 1945.

Commentary

• Official Action Needed, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Citizen endorses an eight-point program by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Citizens Political Action Committee to support the return of Japanese American evacuees. The editorial also criticizes inconsistent Navy policies that have lifted fishing restrictions in Hawaii while maintaining them on the West Coast.
• Army’s Responsibility, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial welcomes Gen. Pratt’s statement clarifying that the Army, not the War Relocation Authority, determines evacuee eligibility to return to the West Coast. It notes the WRA had been unfairly scapegoated by opponents of evacuee return.
• Dickstein Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial expresses cautious optimism about the House subcommittee led by Rep. Samuel Dickstein planning hearings in California. It contrasts the committee’s conscientious approach with earlier committees that focused on inciting prejudice.
• Notes on the Press, by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri traces the history of the Japanese American press on the West Coast, from the prewar daily newspapers destroyed by evacuation to the mimeographed camp papers. He argues the foreign-language press reflects the nation’s lack of planning for immigrant groups.
• Nisei USA: Notes on the Press (cont.), by Larry Tajiri, page 4. Tajiri surveys the relocation center newspapers such as the Heart Mountain Sentinel, Manzanar Free Press, and Topaz Times, noting their struggles under WRA controls. He concludes that a truly free press did not emerge in the camps.
• Contrasts in Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial contrasts the Navy’s liberalized fishing policy in Hawaii with continued restrictions on West Coast Nisei fishermen. It also criticizes the Navy’s inconsistent policy on uniforms for Japanese American Marines.
• Nisei USA: Home to California, by Mary Oyama, page 5. Mary Oyama describes her family’s homecoming to Los Angeles after returning from Chicago, recounting friendly reception by neighbors and friends. She promises a series of articles offering practical advice to Nisei considering return.
• Letter-Box: Bank Creditors, by Henry J. Tsurutani, page 5. Henry Tsurutani urges evacuee creditors and depositors of the Yokohama Specie Bank to file their Proof of Claim forms before September 1945 and to update their addresses with state banking authorities. He notes the Los Angeles branch appears to have sufficient assets to pay claims in full.
• From the Frying Pan: Great Experiment Nears Conclusion, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa argues the 442nd Regimental Combat Team proved the courage of Nisei soldiers and served as an effective propaganda tool for American democracy. He recounts a Nisei captain’s willingness to attack a German position in Italy and urges the nation to honor the unit with parades.

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