Mr. Tsuguo Ikeda., Family Number 15015
North Portland W.C.C.A. 5/2/42
Minidoka W.R.A. 9/9/42
Left Minidoka 8/16/43 (17 1/2 months incarceration)

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Minoru Ikeda (Parents)
Left Minidoka 2/18/45 (34 1/2 months incarceration)

Evacuation Starts for Seattle Japs, Apr. 28

Portland Be First Jap-Free City

Reflections From Jail by Gordon Hirabayashi, August 12. 1942

Sometimes I think about evacuation and its various implications. The reaction is usually one of deep disappointment. At other times I am overcome with callousness and think, "What's the difference?" Even bitterness and resignation creep in: "If I were only born of Caucasian Parents.... " Yet, I am quite aware that these feelings will not achieve the things for which I desire. I try to understand why it has happened-Why? Why?

Measures Taken For Sanitation, Dec. 30, 1942

To prevent the spread of all diseases, the sanitation department is spreading a strong odorless germicide mixed with lime in the outside latrines, and winterizing of the latrines has begun to keep them as warn as possible until the sewage disposal plant is completed, Associate Engineer Green announced.

In addition, lanterns are being placed in some latrines.

Our Home Life, May 9, 1943

Evacuation has brought about the breakdown of family life. It seems to be humanly impossible to preserve family unity and ideals in a glorified, all-the-year-around camp ground. Children rush into dining halls for their daily sustenance without ever experiencing a spirit of family fellowship with a prayer of thanks for their food. They are never at home for with their pals they are having a glorious time. The home is becoming just a place where our boys and girls sleep for the night. Parents are unable to discipline their children, and unconsciously they are accepting conditions as they are without any attempt to remedy them.

In The Supreme Court of the United States, October, 1944.

Minoru Tamesa, Petitioner, vs. United States of America, Respondent.

After having had a classification of 4C-"Alien enemy"-he was reclassified 1A--i.e., available for induction into the armed forces. Upon receipt of his 1A classification from his draft board the petitioner wrote:

"Dear Sir: I have received from your Board a reclassification to 1-A. Would you please tell me why? I am wondering if the army had not given instructions to fill out Japanese American Citizen

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Questionnaire form 304-A, kindly advise. This classification as I understand it, designates the duty of a citizen to join the armed forces of his country. This is as it should be, were it not for the fact that we are receiving these reclassifications in concentration camps, where we have been held for the past two years. All that has passed with our enforced evacuation is regarded in the words of Attorney General Biddle and Judge Denham as a mistake. Yet there has been no congressional move toward restoration of fully civil rights, the toneing down of prosecution, or compensation for damages suffered thru forced evacuation. In fact there have been movements backed by certain congressmen, and others in positions of responsibility to deport all persons of Japanese ancestry. All these acts without due process of law and against the Articles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It seems that we are citizens with civil rights suspended.

I believe that loyalty is like a covenant between a citizen and his country. A man should fight for his country. On the other hand, he should feel that his cause is just, that he is accorded the full privileges of a citizen of a democratic nation, as clearly defined under the Constitution and Bill of Rights otherwise he will be fighting without aim in view.

There have been legal proceedings begun to obtain from the attorney general of the United States, and the Department of Interior, a clarification of the present and future status of persons of Japanese ancestry. Therefore, until such a time as a clear and just decision is forthcoming, I wish to ask for deferment from joining the armed forces."

Barbed Wire Fences Start Going Up In Hospital Area, Nov. 7, 1942

No Japs Wanted

No Japs Wanted?

What did the evacuation mean to me?

Evacuation experience and others before that experience said to me those in leadership and others in America saw the color of my skin and heritage said we were still a "Jap" in White America.

1. By law the government of United States in 1924 excluded persons from Japan to immigrate to America but allowed other non-Asians.

2. By law my parents were not allowed to become citizens but others could.

3. By law my parents could not own land or vote in America because they were of Japanese ancestry.

4. By force of law in May, 1942, my parents and I were incarcerated but not persons of German and Italian ancestry. What should the compensation be?

On August 17, 1981 after 10 years after 1,200 anti-war demonstrators were falsely arrested and incarcerated, tax-free compensation calculated for each day spent in jail along with 10 years' interest at 6% was awarded.

A similar pattern of tax free amount based on number of days wrongly incarcerated at 6% interest for approximately 40 year period would be a reasonable compensation.