WRITTEN TESTIMONY
1. My name is Susumu Sato. My address is __________, Olympia, Washington. I am presently employed as an oysterman. My age is 62.
2. In 1941 I was living in Bay Center, Washington. I was working as an oysterman. Since the evacuation was an executive order, I felt I had no alternative but to obey. I took a few of my clothes; I left my furniture, household goods, and all my wedding gifts behind. I would estimate my family's losses due to the evacuation at about $150,000 (minimum).
3. I was in Tule Lake Camp (at Newell, California). Living conditions in camp were very poor; for example, the temporary tar papered barracks had spaces between the floor boards. You could feel the cold and wind come through the floors. Often there was not enough coal for all the families. The barracks had no running water and no cooking facilities. There were no partitions in the rooms so there was no privacy.
We took a bus which was followed by jeep (as far as the train). We then transferred to a train which took us to Tule Lake. My first impression when I arrived was that I was a prisoner and I was afraid of the guard tower.
I worked at various jobs: chimney sweep, janitor, coal worker, warehouseman, and carpenter. It was a little difficult to adjust to camp life, but I tried hard to be flexible.
I was in camp with my family. One of the single events that had great impact on me was the night many tanks came through the camp. I thought: "If I'm going to be killed anyway, I won't hide." So I stayed and continued my work watching the boilers. Also, my wife became ill while we were in camp. The doctor said she would die because of this illness, and it has worried me all these years although she is still living. I believe this was incorrect information since she appears to be in good health -- although I am still worried.
4. POST CAMP LIFE:
I went to Blue Canyon, California, and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. During this period it was difficult to find a job and housing because of the prejudice against JapaneseAmericans. Clue Canyon was so isolated, we felt that the educational system was too limited.
I was the sole support of my family since my father was ill. Because of the WWII incarceration, I was unable to fulfill this obligation and my sisters (who are American citizens in Japan) were forced to sell my land in order to survive. I had only one opportunity to communicate with my family in Japan (through the Red Cross). I did not know until after the war that they had survived the atomic bomb.
I would accept a minimum of $150,000 (direct compensation) as adequate compensation for the years my family and I spent in camp.
August 17, 1981
[Signed]