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Work leave

During World War II, Japanese Americans were seen as a source of replacement labor for the farms in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Starting in May 1942, camp inmates could obtain temporary leaves to work in agriculture, either returning to the camps every night or living on the farm for an extended period. In 1942 alone, some 10,000 Japanese Americans left the camps to perform this seasonal work. Their labor was vital to the agriculture industry and thus to the war effort.

World War II (240)
Leaving camp (359)
Work leave (362)

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362 items

doc WRA digest of current job offers for period of April 1 to April 15, 1944, Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin (ddr-csujad-55-836)

Report on job vacancies and opportunities for "resettlers" in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. Includes summary of jobs, housing, and a list of job titles and pay for males and females. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0838

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-836/

doc WRA digest of current job offers for period of April 16 to April 30, 1944, Chicago, Illinois (ddr-csujad-55-839)

Report on job vacancies and opportunities for "resettlers" in Chicago, Illinois. Includes summary of jobs, housing, and a list of job titles and pay for males and females. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0841

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-839/

doc Letter from M.A. Church, Senior Engineer, Jerome Relocation Center, to whom it may concern, June 29, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2609)

A letter of recommendation for Mr. Harry H. Kawasnishi written by M.A. Church, Senior Engineer, at the Jerome incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2773

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2609/

img Posted work leave notice (ddr-densho-93-19)

Original Ansel Adams caption: Detail of work-offer board, Manzanar Relocation Center, California / photograph by Ansel Adams.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-93-19/

img Royal Ambassador Boys' Camp (ddr-densho-462-284)

Group photograph of attendees and staff at the Royal Ambassadors Boys' Camp. In the second to last row, in the center is Tsutomu Tom Fukuyama, in his life guard's uniform on the left of the other two lifeguards. Caption on the image: Royal Ambassadors Boys' Camp; Ocean Park, Maine - Third Period - 1943 / Photo …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-462-284/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1213)

Phil writes to his wife, Alice Okano, concerning his travel from Amache Concentration camp to Denver. He couldn't convince his father to leave Amache. Phil writes that many people were biding their time in the camp to see how the war in the Pacific would pan out before making any decisions about leaving camp. Phil is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1213/

doc Letter from Alice Okano to Phil Okano (ddr-densho-359-1223)

Alice writes that if Phil, her husband, wants to take the teaching job it is fine by her. She also assures Phil she will be fine on the farm in Caldwell, Idaho if he wants to work in Denver a bit longer.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1223/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1212)

Phil writes to his wife, Alice Okano, concerning life in the Amache Concentration Camp including activities at the high school and social gatherings. He also mentions an upcoming trip to Denver and trying to convince other families to leave the camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1212/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1221)

Phil writes about meeting a friend of Alice's in Denver. He also writes about his day at the laundry and shopping trip to buy a new jacket.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1221/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1214)

Phil reports back on his first full day in Denver. He found a job, but he isn't sure how much he'll be making or if he'll like it.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1214/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1220)

Phil discusses if Denver would be a good place to try to open his own laundry or cleaning business based on what he's talked about with other people in the business.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1220/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1217)

Phil writes about receiving his first paycheck and learning to use a steam gun for silk pressing.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1217/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1222)

Phil writes about his continued work at the laundry. He warns Alice, his wife, not to write back because he'll be on the move.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1222/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1219)

Phil writes about his work at the laundry and visiting another laundry called Band Bou that could hire him and specialize in different types of fabric cleaning that he is keen to learn. He reminds Alice, his wife, to pay the rent on their house since he isn't sure Denver is a place he would like …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1219/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1215)

Phil writes of his first day at his new job at a laundry in Denver. He says he can only keep the job for a little while so he discusses the pros and cons of staying in Denver to find more work or returning to Caldwell, Idaho.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1215/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1218)

Phil writes about a trip to Boulder to see his sister, Ayako, and his brother-in-law. His family encourage him to get a job teaching Japanese which is draft deferable, but Phil writes that he isn't interested.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1218/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1216)

Phil talks about his work at the laundry and how he believes he is improving. At this point Phil thinks he will stay in Denver another week.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1216/

doc Letter from Phil Okano to Alice Okano (ddr-densho-359-1211)

Phil Okano writes to his wife, Alice Okano, concerning his travel from Caldwell, Idaho to Colorado .

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1211/

doc Letter from Edwin Hoxlinger (?) to Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-607)

Sorry she is unable to take the appointment in Denver at the moment but will keep her application open

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-607/

doc Letter to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi from Martha Masako Nozawa (ddr-densho-410-49)

Asking about work outside of camp, conditions inside camp, thoughts on the future

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-49/

doc Clipping from Cleveland Plains Dealer (ddr-densho-410-62)

Article about hiring Japanese Americans to fill coal and ice jobs

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-62/

doc Letter from Ben to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-196)

Asks if they know of anyone interested in work on a turkey farm

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-196/

doc Telegram from Joseph Yamagiwa, University of Michigan, to Tomio (Tomoye) Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-608)

Inviting her to interview for a position as a Japanese language Instructor

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-608/

doc Letter to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi from Ben Murota (ddr-densho-410-47)

Asking about work outside of camp, lack of coal for barracks in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-47/

doc Card to Henri Takahashi from Tomoye Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-71)

Describing conditions where she is working and new position in Provo as a domestic

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-71/