Draft resistance

In 1944 the government reinstated the draft for Japanese Americans after suspending it in 1942 and began drafting men directly from the camps. This action angered many. At Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming, resistance took the form of an organized movement calling itself the Fair Play Committee. Members demanded that their rights as citizens be restored before enlisting in the military. Eventually, sixty-three men from Heart Mountain refused induction and were sentenced to prison terms for draft evasion. In the other camps, disparate individuals made the decision to resist the draft. After being unfairly incarcerated for almost two years, they saw the draft as the final injustice. Ultimately, 267 men from all the concentration camps were convicted of evading the draft and most served time in prison. President Truman pardoned all of the resisters in 1947.

World War II (231)
Resistance and dissidence (84)
Draft resistance (349)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Draft resistance, Frank Emi, Gordon Hirabayashi, No-No Boy (book)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

349 items

doc Letter from George Ishikawa to Frank Emi and friends (ddr-densho-333-32)

Letter regarding draft resistance trial

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-333-32/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 22 (July 27, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-28)

Selected article titles: "Status Unchanged as Hunger Strike Enters Ninth Day" (p. 1), "27 Freed; Due Process of Law Not Accorded--Judge" (pp. 1-2), "Obon Cancelled; Rites Held for Deceased Heroes" (p. 3), and "Bi-Ovum Babies Boost Births" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-28/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 27 (August 31, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-33)

Selected article titles: "Further Action on Tule Draft Case Dropped" (p. 1), "Stockade: Isolation Area Empty; Occupants Return Home" (p. 1), and "Sending V-Mail in Japanese Permissible" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-33/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 21 (July 20, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-26)

Selected article titles: "27 Taken to Eureka on Draft Violation Charges" (p. 1), "Two Charged with Sedition and Conspiracy" (p. 2), and "Black Reports Temporary Ban on Block Carnivals" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-26/

doc Postcard from Sgt. Frank Honda to Iku Morita (ddr-densho-497-8)

Postcard of Nice, France.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-497-8/

vh Jim Akutsu Interview (ddr-densho-1000-2)

Nisei male. Born January 25, 1920, in Seattle, Washington. Incarcerated at the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Resisted the draft, with the rationale that the U.S. government had classified him 4-C, an enemy alien, and he was therefore under no obligation to serve. Imprisoned at McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington. Vocal critic of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-2/

vh Gene Akutsu Interview I (ddr-densho-1000-1)

Nisei male. Born September 23, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Spent prewar childhood in Seattle's Nihonmachi. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Refused to participate in the draft and was imprisoned at McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington, for draft resistance. Resettled in Seattle.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1/

vh Akio Hoshino Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-26-13)

Leaving McNeil Island Penitentiary, starting over

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-26-13/

vh Akio Hoshino Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-26-11)

A unique Japanese American attitude regarding one's time in county jail for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-26-11/

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 Akio Hoshino Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-26-14)

Reflections on the decision to resist the draft, telling younger generation about experiences

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-26-14/

vh Akio Hoshino Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-26-12)

Description of McNeil Island Penitentiary, Washington; imprisoned for resisting the draft

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-26-12/

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/

vh Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-167-10)

Dealing with racism and harassment in prison

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-167-10/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-131-11)

Deciding to resist the draft, and reading about trial years later

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-131-11/

vh Jim Akutsu Segment 39 (ddr-densho-1000-2-39)

A jury instructed to find a guilty verdict in draft resistance trial