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 (231)
Administration (217)
Registration and the "loyalty questionnaire" (275)

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275 items

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 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/

doc Certification of registration (ddr-csujad-55-1633)

Certificate acknowledging that an incarceree has completed registration at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1635

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1633/

doc Questions to and answers by Mr. Robertson regarding registration questionnaires (ddr-csujad-55-420)

List of questions from incarcerees and answers by Guy Robertson, Project Director at Heart Mountain incarceration camp, regarding registration (also known as the "loyalty questionnaire"). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0422

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-420/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 34 (February 23, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1029)

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"), electricity conservation, shoe repair, barber, beautician, and track worker jobs, a visit from Milwaukee relocation officer, and outside employment interviews. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1029/

doc Memo from Ted Nakamura, Central Comm. Chairman, to all block managers, DSS form 165, February 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-188)

Memorandum of understanding from Ted Nakamura to Block Managers at Tule Lake regarding registration form WRA 304a (also known as the "loyalty questionnaire") and whether or not an individual is volunteering his services for the United States Army when filling out the form. Memo also includes a copy of the Application for Voluntary Induction, DSS Form …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-188/

doc Registration schedule (ddr-csujad-55-189)

Schedule for incarcerees to fill out the Statement of United States Citizen of Japanese Ancestry (form DSS 304a) and Application for Leave Clearance (form WRA 126) from February 18 through February 26, 1943. Schedule includes dates for males and females from each block in the Tule Lake camp. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-189/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 36 (February 25, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1031)

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") and block elections. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1033

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1031/

doc Relocation program (ddr-csujad-55-1914)

Speech delivered by by Dillon S. Myer, Director of the Relocation Authority to the American Legion covering the history and activities of the War Relocation Authority, registration and "loyalty questionnaire," and attitudes towards Japanese Americans and the "relocation" program. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1917

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1914/

doc Substitution for question 28 on WRA 126R (ddr-csujad-55-887)

Substitution for Question 28 on the Application for Leave Clearance, WRA Form 126 R (also known as the "loyalty questionnaire"). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0889

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-887/

doc Notice from the War Relocation Authority to incarcerees, February 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-190)

Notice from the War Relocation Authority to incarcerees regarding registration for service in the U.S. Army and procedures for forms DSS 304a and WRA 126. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0192

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-190/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 32 (February 18, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1028)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes an announcement from Project Director, Guy Robertson, on registration ("loyalty questionnaire"), and information on clothing allowances, investigation committee, and postal services. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1028/

doc Letter from Masahiko Miyakoda (ddr-csujad-55-132)

Statement by Masahiko Miyakoda describing his answer to the loyalty questionnaire. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0134

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-132/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 38 (March 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1033)

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"), temporary Community Council, tax returns, and shoe rations. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1035

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1033/

doc Statement of United States citizen of Japanese ancestry, Form DSS 304A (ddr-csujad-55-184)

Questionnaire distributed to male U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry over the age of 17, commonly known as the, "loyalty questionnaire." Individuals were required to supply information regarding place of birth; date of birth; places of residence; height; weight; hair color; eye color; voter status (when and where he first registered); if married, his wife's ancestry; the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-184/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 42 (March 9, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1037)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information a response from Block Chairmen and Block Managers regarding registration ("loyalty questionnaire") and change in schedule for a social event. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1037/

vh Akio Hoshino Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-26-10)

Discussion of so-called "loyalty questions" and the decision to resist the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-26-10/

vh Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-167-9)

Arrested for failing to report for army induction physical; sentenced to three years in prison

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-167-9/