Becoming American Becoming Ethnic

A Challenge of Loyalty

Lynn Sugamura (UC San Diego 1983) A Challenge of Loyalty Asa result ofJapan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, all persons of Japanese ancestry were directed by Executive Order 9066 to leave the California coastal area, an order that was enforced by Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt ofthe Western Defense Command. Members of this group were forced to evacuate their homes by a certain date and were allowed only a minimal amount of baggage per person. Many families had no choice but to sell their belongings for as much money as they could get (usually very little), or entrust them to their non-Japanese friends. After gathering their possessions, they were boarded onto buses and trains and taken to various "relocation centers" located in California, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, and later, Colorado. Both of my parents were born and raised in California. My father, whose parents hailed from Hawaii and Japan, was born Masaichi Tom (Sugamura) on October 8, 1928 in San Pedro, California. My mother, Teruyo (Kawaguchi), whose parents were both from Japan, was born on Terminal Island, California on April IS, 1929. She was raised in Los Angeles , but moved back to Terminal Island at age six. My mother and father were twelve and thirteen, respectively, when Pearl Harbor was bombed. The preeminent feeling among the majority of the people in every Japanese community (in regards to the bombing) was that ofshock and disbelief. My mother remembers hearing the announcement on the radio as her family was getting ready to go to church. At that time, the Kawaguchis were living on Terminal Island, which was 117 A Challenge ofLoyalty basically a Japanese fishing village. When my mother's family first heard of the evacuation procedures, they made plans to move in with relatives in Utah. They packed up a good deal of their clothing and belongings and sent them ahead. Unfortunately, a curfew was placed on the Japanese that required them to be indoors by a designated time. Another restriction was placed on the Japanese: they couldn't travel beyond a five-mile radius from their homes once the curfew was in effect, thus preventing the Kawaguchis from leaving the Southland. The curfew and travel restriction were primarily means ofcontrolling emigration from the West Coast. My "ji-chan" (grandfather Kawaguchi) was a fisherman and was, in a sense, kidnapped by FBI agents who raided many, ifnot all, of the Japanese fishing boats soon after the bombing ofPearl Harbor. The FBI took all alien fishermen to concentration (POW) camps where many were treated as criminals, along with the German soldiers who were being held there. ]i-chan was taken to a camp in North Dakota. The fishermen allegedly posed a threat to the United States; the government feared that these Japanese fishermen might have "signaled the enemy" while at sea. During the time that many of the fishermen were in concentration camps, their families struggled. More so than the children, the Issei (firstgeneration ) women suffered a great deal. Their grieffor their missing husbands and the job of supporting the family was a rough experience. To make matters worse, most spoke no, or very little, English. In May 1942 the Kawaguchis left their home to board a bus that was to take them to the Santa Anita (Racetrack) Relocation Center. This was only a temporary location until the camps were completed. It was at this time that my ji-chan was reunited with his family. They were, in fact, lucky to be reunited. Out ofall those who were placed in the POW camps, those who were affiliated with any Japanese society, church, social, or community group along with the owners (Japanese) of any commercial fishing boats, were not released. Instead, they were relocated to another camp in Crystal City, Texas. My father recalls being "herded like cattle" onto the buses by nervous GIs who were armed with guns and rifles. These same guards rode on the buses that took them to the Pomona (Fairgrounds) Assembly Center. When they arrived, they found out that they were to live in the horse stables. Similarly, the Kawaguchis were bused to the Santa Anita (Racetrack) Assembly Center. When they arrived, all families had to wait in line to receive a "family number," which corresponded to their living quarters. My mother's family was more fortunate than my father's. Because they arrived relatively later than the other families, they lived...