Registration and the "loyalty questionnaire"

To help administer the military draft and work release program, the U.S. Army and the War Relocation Authority (WRA) produced "loyalty questionnaires" for all Japanese Americans seventeen years of age and older. The questionnaires contained two questions that caused confusion and controversy. Despite serious problems with the wording and meaning of the questions, government officials and others generally considered those who answered "no" to these two questions to be "disloyal" to the United States, and they were transferred to the Tule Lake concentration camp which was designated a segregation camp. "Yes" answers to these questions made Japanese Americans eligible for service in the U.S. Army, and some became eligible for release and resettlement in areas outside of the West Coast exclusion zones.

World War II (283)
Administration (228)
Registration and the "loyalty questionnaire" (294)

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294 items

doc Letter from Kathleen Koga Uchiyama to Alvin Uchiyama (ddr-densho-406-34)

Future plans, discusses a friend who was a no-no boy and was sent to Tule Lake, asks about loyalty questionnaire. With envelope front and back.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-406-34/

doc Relocation problems and policies (ddr-densho-381-24)

An address delivered by War Relocation Authority Director, Dillon S. Myer, to the Tuesday Evening Club. Myer discusses a variety of topics, including the creation of the War Relocation Authority, managing the camps, and plans for relocation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-24/

doc Report and minority views of the Special Committee on Un-American Activities on Japanese War Relocation Centers (ddr-densho-381-55)

A report submitted by John M. Costello to the House of Representatives discussing concerns with the War Relocation Authority's management of the concentration camps.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-55/

doc Takami Hibiya's United States citizen of Japanese ancestry form (ddr-densho-381-135)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-135/

doc Letter from N.R. Griswold and J.B. Hunter to Ray D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-741)

A letter in support of Chimata Sumida staying at Rohwer and not being sent to Tule Lake. Mr. Griswold and Mr. Hunter detail the work Chimata Sumida has done with the night school and his positive impact on camp morale. Mr. Sumida also was a strong voice in favor of relocating and helped many people to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-741/

doc Letter from Chimata Sumida to War Relocation Authority (ddr-densho-379-740)

Chimata Sumida asks to not be transferred from the Rohwer incarceration Camp to the Tule Lake Segregation Center under the guidelines indicated in Leeland Barrows letter to Edward J Ennis of the Alien Enemy Control Unity. Due to the loss of his original repatriation application, he was unable to retract that original application. Chimata Sumida details …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-740/

doc Letter from Ray D. Johnston to D.S. Myer (ddr-densho-379-742)

Ray D. Johnston, project director, writes to D.S. Myer to communicate that the whole adult population of Rohwer does not want Chimata Sumida to be transferred to Tule Lake. Sumida cancelled his repatriation request too late, but he is too valuable at Rohwer to allow him to be transferred.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-742/

doc Letter from Ray D. Johnston to D. S. Myer (ddr-densho-379-739)

Ray D. Johnston requests that Chimata Sumida not be transferred from the Rohwer incarceration Camp to the Tule Lake Segregation Center. Both camp officials and other incarcerees highlight Chimata Sumida's positive effect on the community of Rohwer and request his transfer to Tule Lake be cancelled.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-739/

doc Letter from Leland Barrows to Edward Ennis (ddr-densho-379-738)

Leland Barrows writes to Edward Ennis concerning what is to happen to Japanese Americans who either requested repatriation or answered no to the loyalty questionnaire. All people both citizen and alien will be taken to the segregated area of Tule Lake. Their immediate families could either accompany them to Tule Lake or staying in one of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-738/

doc Teletype message from Elmer M. Rowalt to Ray D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-744)

Elmer Rowalt sends a teletype message replying to Ray D. Johnston's letter. He states that Chimata Sumida will not be transferred to Tule Lake.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-744/

doc Message from E.M. Rowalt to R. D. Johnston (ddr-densho-379-745)

Rowalt replies to Johnston's letter from September 10th and grants his request that Chimata Sumida not be transferred to Tule Lake.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-745/

doc Letter from Rohwer incarcerees to War Relocation Authority (ddr-densho-379-743)

Ten members of the Rohwer community write to the War Relocation Authority to ask that Chimata Sumida not be transferred to Tule Lake. They praise his work at Rohwer as an Events speaker as well as his position on the Resettlement Board.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-743/

doc Sachi Fudenna Recalls the Washington Township and Tanforan during World War II (ddr-ajah-6-404)

Document with biographical information for Sachiko Kamiji Fudenna, transcription of interview and clipping

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-6-404/

doc Segregation of Persons of Japanese Ancestry in Tule Lake Relocation Center (ddr-densho-493-35)

16-page pamphlet authored by the War Relocation announcing the segregation of "disloyal" Japanese Americans at Tule Lake and the displacement of "loyal" Tule Lake residents to other camps, based on responses to Question 28 of the loyalty questionnaire. Pamphlet explains who will be segregated based on their answers; which people will receive a hearing prior to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-35/

doc Aquila 1943 (ddr-densho-493-39)

First edition of the Aquila, yearbook of Tri-State High School at the Tule Lake facility in Newell, California. The book includes a roster of all students, photos of the classes and clubs (including Zoology Club, Needle Arts Club, Tri-State Thespians, glee clubs, and others), names and photos of faculty and staff, and a written history of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-39/

doc What About Our Japanese-Americans? (ddr-densho-493-36)

31-page pamphlet authored by Carey McWilliams for the American Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations, published by the Public Affairs Committee, Inc. as part of a Public Affairs Pamphlets series. Inner note says that the text was also to be published shortly by Little, Brown and Company under the title of Prejudice. The Japanese-Americans: a …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-36/

doc Tule Lake Registration Card for Shizuo Nishimura (ddr-densho-493-27)

Registration card reading "TULE LAKE PROJECT / No. 503 / This is to certify that: Shizuo Nishimura, 5311 F (Address) / has completed registration." Signed by the Project Director Harvey Coverley, and countersigned by the Registrar.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-27/

doc Letter from Mary Tsukamoto to Mr. McWilliams, October 18, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-2)

Mary writes about the hardships of her first year in Jerome incarceration center, the loyalty questionnaire, regrets by those who chose to repatriate to Japan, and the kindess of the everyday people she met on a tour of Indiana. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, February 16, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-422)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on "loyalty questionnaire." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0424

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-422/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 40 (March 3, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1035)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on registration ("loyalty questionnaire") for female incarcerees, range firing schedule, a farewell dinner for Dr. Kinoshita, and the YWCA schedule. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1035/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, special session, February 17, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-423)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on "loyalty questionnaire" and Nisei. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0425

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-423/

doc Address by Lieutenant Ray McDaniels at Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-744)

Transcription of address given by Lieutenant Ray McDaniels to incarcerees at Heart Mountain incarceration camp regarding the "loyalty questionnaire," loyalty of Japanese Americans, and recruitment for a special combat team. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0746

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-744/

doc 27 Japs jailed for rebelling against draft order at Tule Lake Center (ddr-csujad-55-1976)

Clipping of the article, "27 Japs Jailed for Rebelling Against Draft Order at Tule Lake Center." From the Masako Adachi scrapbook, page 20. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1979

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1976/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 30 (February 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1026)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information about registration ("loyalty questionnaire") schedule and instructions, policy on construction materials, and paychecks. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1028

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1026/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 28 (February 11, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1025)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information about the "Registration Program" (including clarification on question #27 of the "loyalty questionnaire"), interviews by a Relocation Officer, and a farming opportunity. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1025/