Minoru Yonekura

Japan

The Ōnin War erupted in 1467 and launched the “Sengoku period” of constant Japanese civil war that continued for 150 years. Finally, a victory by Tokugawa Leyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara ended the war of Sengoku and began the Tokugawa shogunate. Under the Tokugawa, Japan experienced nearly 300 years of peace.

Life during Tokugawa, although peaceful, was very strict. Everyone was divided into classes: samurai, farmers, craftspeople, and merchants. Farmers were forbidden to engage in non-agricultural activities. Strict codes of behavior were imposed on every aspect of life. Most importantly, the Shogunate enforced strict isolation from all outside influences, especially from the West. Foreign trade and travel were forbidden to all of Japan for over 250 years.

In 1868 two powerful clans joined forces, toppled the Tokugawa, and placed Emperor Meiji into power. Meiji was only 14 when he took the throne, and he wanted to modernize Japan. Japan finally opened up to trade with the outside world.

Meiji’s rapid industrialization caused turmoil. Farmers were forced to leave their land, workers were left jobless, and wages plummeted. The lure of the booming economy in the US became difficult to resist.

In the fall of 1858, a large comet crossed the skies of Japan. Casting light over a society threatened by a cholera epidemic, economic collapse, and foreign interference.  The comet became the symbol of the state of Japan. To some, the comet was a symbol of impending catastrophe, to others it was an omen of renewal. The comet was a metaphor for all that was frightening or inspiring about life at the fall of the Tokugawa era.

Origin

It was under this comet that Kuzobura Yonekura was born on Kiushiu Island Japan. His family had been farmers for at least 300 hundred years and would have lost everything in the Meiji empire.

Kuzo found himself yearning for the opportunities of the western world. He was 48 and married with four sons when he made the daring leap to leave his homeland and head to the US.

His wife Moyo and sons came 2 years later. Kuzo and his family were called "Issei". First-generation Japanese immigrants. 

In 1910, four years after the family was reunited, Kuzo & Moyo welcomed their youngest son, Minoru Frank Yonekura.  Min was the very first "Nissei" of his family. (2nd generation immigrant, born in America) Baby Min was much younger than all of his brothers, who ranged from 25 to 10.

In 1920 the family was living in a home they owned on Stanton Ave in Eden Township, Now Castro Valley. This was a feat! As the Alien Land Law was passed in 1913, tightened in 1920, forbidding land ownership in California to all Japanese.

Many Japanese immigrants, or Issei, avoided that law by transferring the title of their property to their American-born children, or Nissei, who were US citizens. It is entirely probable that the Stanton Ave home was put into Min's name when he was a child.  Kuzo made his living raising chickens at the Stanton Ave house.  The photo above would have been the view from the Yonekura home.

It was during this time that Min became friends with (Grandpa) Bill Ralph.  They attended elementary school together, and remained friends for their entire lives.

Kuzo Yonekura died in 1927.  We don't know when Min’s mother passed, but there is no record of her when WWII began.

9066

Hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the FBI arrested nearly 1300 Japanese community and religious leaders, without evidence or trial, and sent them to prison for the duration of the war.

Lt. General DeWitt, wishing to incarcerate all of the Japanese, German and Italian Americans, forged a report made up entirely of lies about sabotage and presented it to the President. DeWitt convinced everyone that Japan would attack military installations on the West coast, and that all of the Japanese in America would collaborate.  Hatred of the Japanese had been rampant even before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  But Dewitt’s propaganda incited panic.  Almost everyone supported the plan to incarcerate every individual that had as little as 1/8th Japanese heritage, even if it violated the 5th amendment of the constitution.

15000 Japanese Americans willingly relocated away from the coast to inland states.

Just 2 months after the attack at Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066, forcibly relocating 120,000 American citizens of Japanese descent to prisons in inland states. Those prison hadn't even been built yet.

Posters were hung on power poles in every community, directing people to register at their local office.  They were given only a few weeks to dispose of all of their possessions.  Cars, homes, furniture were sold for pennies or given away.  Family heirlooms were burned or buried, anything from Japan would be considered loyalty to Japan and its’ owners would be considered enemies during war.

On May 3, 1942, local Japanese were required to register at the “Civil Control Center” located at 920 C Street in Hayward.  They were instructed to “pack sheets, towels & dishes for everyone in their family” but to bring only what they could carry.  And to report to the Hayward library, where they were loaded into buses and taken to the temporary housing at Tanforan horse racetrack in San Bruno.

At Tanforan single men were housed on the second floor of the grandstand. Families were placed in the horse stalls.  This would be their home until the military could build prisons in remote places in the central states.

In Tanforan there was one mess hall, located beneath the grandstand that was capable of holding 500 people, but served food to over 3,000 people.  Showers and toilets were communal.  Privacy did not exist.

Once the “permanent camps” were built, inmates were transferred to their next prison.  Most of the inmates from Alameda County were sent to Topaz, in Utah.

The trip from Tanforan to Topaz took two nights and one day by train.  Travel through populated areas was done at night.  The curtains were drawn, guards were stationed each end of each car, chairs were removed, people sat on the floor. They were not told where they were going.

The Letters 

Min was 32 when Pearl Harbor was attacked.  His parents were gone, and his brothers were married with their own families.  Min was placed with the single men.  He was in the first group to go to Tanforan, and the first to go to Topaz.  Minoru was assigned family number 21607.

Yuri Domoto, his childhood friend, exchanged letters with Min during the internment years.  Yuri saved hundreds of documents she had collected in her life. She submitted it all to the Japanese American Citizens League, including letters Min had written to her.

You can see in his own writing, his experience in going to Tanforan, and then to Utah.   (I have typed it below for ease of reading.)

May 11th, 1942

Tanforan, Calif

Miss Yuri Domoto

6G5A Grenada Relocation Project

Colorado

Dear Yuri,

I'm sorry it took so long in writing but right after receiving your letter our evacuation orders were issued and you know how it is during the last few days. Rush! Rush! Rush! all day half the night too. how are you Yuri and what's the news down your way?  Any word as to your evacuation when and where?  Before I forget if we happen to be shifted around and lose contact with each other will you write to Mrs. Anne Clark, 6548  Castro Valley Blvd in Hayward. she will let you know of my whereabouts. Or I can get in touch with you through her. 

Washington and Eden Township registered Monday and Tuesday at Hayward.  The registrar were the workers from the different county social groups – Mrs. Raydin and Kazu Ikeda among them.  C.H.  helped with the preliminary work such as dividing the community so there wouldn't be one grand rush and interpreting. afterwards we gave a luncheon at Green Shutter Hotel for their thoughtfulness and kindness in doing their jobs  - well I mean the personnel of the WCCA board, Mr. Wells & Mr. Gammon representing the Sheriff's Office & WCCA gave a short but sincere speech  wishing us a speedy & safe return.

We had our final glimpse of Hayward at 8:30 AM Friday and was taken over to Tanforan by bus. arriving here we were assigned our room, received our cots and ticks.  A little advice from an old timer of camp life, if Merced or Turlock is operating on the same basis as Tanforan a family of seven will receive one room cots and ticks.  That is all so just sit in an empty room and figure out what you would need to make it homey and livable.  Few suggestions if I may, plenty of sheets or canvas for curtains, hammer, nails all different sizes, hatchet, extension cord. tubs, washboard, small rugs, iron and boots if you have any.  There are many other things, but the articles mentioned above are things that may not come to your attention in the last minute rush.

The food is pretty fair, only trouble is that there are several thousand other persons that get hungry at the same time so we gotta wait in line quite a while for our meals.  We've been busy the last several days fixing up our rooms, building shelves, cabinets and few other things to make it as comfortable as possible.  This morning I went to the employment office and applied for a mechanical job but nothing was straightened out yet, so I've been working on the cleanup crew.  I found out this morning that there is some advantages in working, they have a special line for the workers in the mess hall and we were served without waiting in line.  I think everyone is required to do some type of work so the sooner a person apply for a job he or she has a better chance of getting it otherwise they will probably drafted for IEP or cleanup crew permanently.

I never knew I had so many friends, everywhere I turn people say hello, you here too?  My gosh Yuri I never saw so many Nihonjins in my life, seems like every one is here.

The place is dusty, windy and now it's raining but as June says we can stay indoors so all in it isn't too bad.

Please write as soon as you can. With regards to all.

Sincerely,

Min

barrack 89 room 1

Tanforan Assembly Center

San Bruno CA

May 11th, 1942

Tanforan, Calif

Miss Yuri Domoto

6G5A Grenada Relocation Project

Colorado

Dear Yuri,

I'm sorry it took so long in writing but right after receiving your letter our evacuation orders were issued and you know how it is during the last few days. Rush! Rush! Rush! all day half the night too. how are you Yuri and what's the news down your way?  Any word as to your evacuation when and where?  Before I forget if we happen to be shifted around and lose contact with each other will you write to Mrs. Anne Clark, 6548  Castro Valley Blvd in Hayward. she will let you know of my whereabouts. Or I can get in touch with you through her. 

Washington and Eden Township registered Monday and Tuesday at Hayward.  The registrar were the workers from the different county social groups – Mrs. Raydin and Kazu Ikeda among them.  C.H.  helped with the preliminary work such as dividing the community so there wouldn't be one grand rush and interpreting. afterwards we gave a luncheon at Green Shutter Hotel for their thoughtfulness and kindness in doing their jobs  - well I mean the personnel of the WCCA board, Mr. Wells & Mr. Gammon representing the Sheriff's Office & WCCA gave a short but sincere speech  wishing us a speedy & safe return.

We had our final glimpse of Hayward at 8:30 AM Friday and was taken over to Tanforan by bus. arriving here we were assigned our room, received our cots and ticks.  A little advice from an old timer of camp life, if Merced or Turlock is operating on the same basis as Tanforan a family of seven will receive one room cots and ticks.  That is all so just sit in an empty room and figure out what you would need to make it homey and livable.  Few suggestions if I may, plenty of sheets or canvas for curtains, hammer, nails all different sizes, hatchet, extension cord. tubs, washboard, small rugs, iron and boots if you have any.  There are many other things, but the articles mentioned above are things that may not come to your attention in the last minute rush.

The food is pretty fair, only trouble is that there are several thousand other persons that get hungry at the same time so we gotta wait in line quite a while for our meals.  We've been busy the last several days fixing up our rooms, building shelves, cabinets and few other things to make it as comfortable as possible.  This morning I went to the employment office and applied for a mechanical job but nothing was straightened out yet, so I've been working on the cleanup crew.  I found out this morning that there is some advantages in working, they have a special line for the workers in the mess hall and we were served without waiting in line.  I think everyone is required to do some type of work so the sooner a person apply for a job he or she has a better chance of getting it otherwise they will probably drafted for IEP or cleanup crew permanently.

I never knew I had so many friends, everywhere I turn people say hello, you here too?  My gosh Yuri I never saw so many Nihonjins in my life, seems like every one is here.

The place is dusty, windy and now it's raining but as June says we can stay indoors so all in it isn't too bad.

Please write as soon as you can. With regards to all.

Sincerely,

Min

barrack 89 room 1

Tanforan Assembly Center

San Bruno CA

September 3, 1942

Dear Yuri,

Your card reached me just in time. Yuri I'm in the midst of my packing getting ready to leave Wednesday that's tomorrow with the advanced group to Utah.  Rather I think it will be Utah although it hasn't been released officially by the office.  The main group follows on the 15th, wonder what kind of place it will be.

 I've been on the retired list since several weeks ago from my regular job and they have been taking it easy for a while even fooling around gets tiresome so I offered to help out at the P.O. and have been sorting and inspecting mail, delivering P.P. doing all sorts of work.  It is an interesting sort of job - I may apply for a permanent job in the P.O. at the relocation center. Tonight we are having a chicken dinner as sort of a farewell and final get together affair at Tanforan.  I hope it turns out good.

Tanforan was really busy over the three day holidays.  Saturday was inspection day with the MP's coming in and dividing the camp into sections and searching every room.  We had to stay by own barracks for a whole day so I spent part of my time reading and playing bridge with the father next door.  I believe you know them Yamaguchi’s from San Mateo.  Sunday was the last visiting day for many of the folks, as it ends on the 11th.  And they certainly came.  The place was packed.  There was still 300 persons waiting in line at 4:00 o'clock to get in so they extended the visiting time an hour longer even then quite a number of people weren't able to get in.  My friends were over from Hayward and had our final chat together, feeling kind of blue now knowing that I won't be able to see them until it's all over.  And all during this time a large celebration going on with parades, carnival, events, art & hobby shows, sporting events and everything imaginable.   They certainly go to lots of trouble in putting these things over.  

I'm the one that should be apologizing for not writing especially with all my spare time and I promise to do better from now on.  It's too bad we're not all together I do miss you.  Please say hello to everyone for me Yuri.

Min

September 15th, 1942

Min Yonekura

3 – 8 – D

Topaz, Utah

Dear Yuri,

How are you?  How do you like Grenada now that you've been there for a while?

 Here I am somewhere in the central part of Utah spending my first Sunday feeling somewhat lost so far away from home.  Topaz Utah is our home and it was named after a nearby mountain peak and located on the level sandy sheet of ground with mountains all around us. The nearest town is Delta 16 only miles away but once in the camp it seems as though we are million miles from nowhere.  When I first came in I was so tired and with the rain and all every thing looked so desolate and forlorn but after a good night's sleep things looked much better.  I also find the buildings and barracks quite an improvement over the ones at Tanforan and better arranged too.  It's divided into blocks and each block consisting of 12 barracks, dining, showers and reservation building accommodating 250 persons.  The center proper is a mile square filled with barracks as far as the eye can see.  When it's finished it'll hold 40,000 persons all the former Bay region folks that were sent down to Pomona and Santa Anita will join us again. Surrounding area of 12,000 acres will be used as a farming project. 

We had an informal meeting with the administrative staff with Mr. Ernst the head of the staff giving us a short talk and answering quite a number of questions for us.  The other members of the staff were introduced to us and they were very cordial in their greetings and seemed to me very sincere in their efforts to make this center one of the best.  Mr. Ernst also mentioned the possibilities here are unlimited and depends only on our abilities to carry them out.

The only bad feature here is the dust but I guess it would get better when we plant some vegetation in the ground and Oh yes it sure gets cold in the night especially in the morning when we have to get up.  

On entering here I signed up as a mechanic and later in the day I received my work order to report Monday morning.  I have a very good chance of heading and organizing the shop I'm just a little doubtful of my ability.  Now if it was rototillers I would do it with my eyes closed but this is a different story.  I'll find out in the morning what my duties are to be.  We had a family nice trip although we did miss the best part of the scenery by passing through the sierras at night. Nevada and Utah was mostly desert but I did receive a pleasant surprise in seeing the Great Salt Lake for the first time.  I'm running out of space so I will be closing so please write.  It's always nice to hear from you and also remember me to the rest of the family.

As ever,

Min

Chicago

During World War II the War Relocation Authority (WRA) opened in Chicago and the city invited Nissei Japanese that were leaving the internment camps.  The first group from the camps arrived on June 12, 1942. Unlike on the west coast, the Japanese had freedom of movement in Chicago and could work. Civic and religious groups provided assistance with housing and job placement. YMCAs, YWCAs, the city parks and recreation centers offered recreational opportunities and services. As news traveled about relatively easy transition experience, a chain migration of Japanese left for Chicago.

June 6th, 1943

YMCA, Chicago

Dear Yuri, I must apologize for not writing sooner to thank you for making my recent visit very pleasant it was really swell seeing you again Yuri, and I hope it won't be too long before we meet again.  I only hope I wasn't too much of a bother tho.

Do you know what - after getting everyone up so early on that last morning the darn train didn't get into the station till 8:30.  Was I mad.  When we reached Denver, I called Wak on the telephone and arranged to have dinner with her on the following day.  With nothing to do the rest of the afternoon we wandered over to the Japanese section and later did a little bit of window shopping downtown, spent the evening at my brother's.  Next day Kain and I met Wak at 11:15 dined together.  Later went to see William Saroyan’s “The Human Comedy” where we had a nice cry together.  On parting she gave us a delicious box of candy Mrs. Stover of course and later on the train we shared it with a sailor and a soldier.  Nice fellows too we got along swell together.

Reaching Chicago I stayed with Kains sister for several days till I found a room at the YMCA well they wouldn't actually call it a room it's just too large enough for me to squeeze in and carve into the bed.  They say the housing situation is pretty bad so I shouldn't be hollering too much. The rest of the facilities are grand and its location makes it very convenient.  I imagine that's why there are so many other Japanese registered here.  I understand the hostels are all crowded and can't handle anymore people's for quite some time.

I don't think I'm going to like Chicago very much it's a very dirty, gloomy, noisy place and the weather is really terrible.  There are several fellows from Topaz here but just casual acquaintances so I feel kind of lost in this strange city.  Maybe I'll get used to it in time.

After looking around a bit I found a job as a mechanic with a large trucking firm. The work is kind of hard but then the pay is good so that squares things up.  A little later on I may be transferred down to their shop in Fort Wayne Indiana so I'm not quite settled yet.

After reading Random Harvest I had to see the picture so today I found a show playing it so in I went.  I personally think the book was much better than the picture although the picture was good.  I saw cabin in the sky too which is the extent of my recreation so far.  With this I'll be saying ‘bye for a while’ and please give my sincerest regards to all.

Always,

Min

YMCA hotel 826 South Wabash Ave Chicago

September 8th, 1943

4244 Drexel Blvd Chicago

Dear Yuri,

Today is Labor Day and the day of rest for me so I thought I'd put it to very good use by writing to you.  By the way this is the first free day I've had since starting to work excepting Sunday that's how busy we are.  I read in the oh Omache Pioneer where Mr. & Mrs. Kishi also became proud parents too so imagine you're a pretty busy person nowadays.  How do you like the job of being a baby caretaker?

 I'm still with the same firm that I started with working every day and half of the night keeping the wheels of industry rolling or something.  Well it's one way of keeping me out of mischief isn't it?  I'm quite satisfied with the job of course it isn't the best in the world but it does pay fairly well and then we don't have to keep on the run all day.  Just as long as we do our job and not fool around they're satisfied and we get along well with the other employees of the shop.

I met quite a number of Japanese since coming here and after talking with them majority of the fellows are not satisfied with what they are doing - some of them have switched their job two or three times which of course isn't the best of policy but then if you can't blame the fellows either.  Most of the places doesn't pay any well.   Lots of the fellows don't or rather doesn't seem to be able to find the kind of work they like.  Lately the situation is much better as the employers are just beginning to find out what the Japanese can do so they are giving us a better break and too number of new opportunity are opening up.  Civil Service too so I would imagine there would be something in your line too.

You know Yuri you are on the outside and find a job you naturally fall right back into the routine again and it isn't half as hard as you would think.  One has to eat so one just has to work.

I moved out of the Y because it was a little too expensive paying dollar a day for a tiny room and eating three meals out.  So another fellow and I decided to look around for a small housekeeping room and after a little search we finally found one to our fitting so we are now housekeeping.  The arrangement is good but it has one slight drawback someone has to wash and wipe the dishes and it happens to fall on me.

When Kan came to Chicago he stayed with us so one day I went along with him to see Yoichi. After living in a crowded dirty city it was kind of hard to believe that such a nice place existed out in the country.  Everything was green and air so clean.  It was the first enjoyable day I spent since coming here.  Sitting around the table eating and chatting together brought back memories of pre evacuation day, as all good things come to an end too quickly and had to return to the dreary old city.

Other activities have been very limited, the show now and then and for a change I went to hear the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra last Sunday.  June and Gii and JoJo passed through Chicago on their way to Akron OH but I failed to see them.  They tried to get in touch with me but the Y would not give them my new address.  They are now working on a huge estate and according to her letter they seemed to like it very much.

Well Yuri I'll be saying ‘bye for now’ and don't wait too long to write.

Always,

Min

P.S.  Are the bugs still bothering you?  Better watch your language now.  Mustn't get mad.

Please give my sincerest regards to your father, Noah and Sally.

Min

December 7, 1943

4244 Drexel Blvd

Chicago

Dear Yuri, I was up to your brother's place yesterday and heard about your father. Yuri knowing him as I did, I know it was a great loss to you folks and I offer my deepest Sympathy. when I awoke yesterday morning it looked like it would be a nice day especially for this time of the year.  And with nothing in particular to do I decided to go up to Crystal Lake. I rushed down to the station and caught the 9:00 o'clock train and reached there at 10 and spent the whole day with them. I found Toichi in bed with a slight cold and don't worry it's nothing serious. And he told me all about his trip to California and all about the changes since we left.  It sounded quite unbelievable but it was swell hearing things about the old familiar places although it did make me kind of homesick. After talking to him for an hour or so I left him so he could rest and spent the remainder of the day trying to get friendly with the youngster but didn't quite succeed perhaps better luck next time.  Toichi mentioned you were outward, bound where are you headed?

 While on the train I overheard a young fellow speaking about the conditions at Poston.  That the internees were allowed to roam around without guards and wastefully used gas and food.  I felt like putting in my 2 cents but thought how narrow minded some people are.  In contrast while walking up to your brother's place a man was raking leaves in the front yard and when I went by, he said hello and talked to me for a while.  How different the minds and thoughts of people. 

Remember the picture of the cornstalks bunched together and pumpkins laying around on the ground we used to see back home?  Well, there's no picture here, it's the real thing.  And it’s certainly interesting to see how things are done in different sections of the country.

As for my work, it is the dullest monotonous work I ever did.  Perhaps it may not be the job but the way I live.  I have no opportunity to meet anyone except for the little group around our neighborhood.  What I mean is that we can't mix with the people to show them what Japanese are.  In smaller places conditions seems to be quite different so perhaps in the spring I may pack up and leave this place called Chicago.  Nothing definite as yet.  Getting back to my work I am employed by a large motor express firm and I do the repair works on the truck.  There are seven of us and it seems as though most of them feel the same as I do about the work.  And too we had little trouble with the other employees.  They are kind of jealous of us.  Of course they haven't come out and said so, but it's in the air.  We are willing to put in the extra hours and that means more money while the others have the same opportunity they don't want to work, and they hate to see others get more than they do.  So now we have new rules and regulations and everything goes according to seniority rating, not that I mind cause working 10 11 12 hours a day is no pleasure.   And this cold Chicago weather doesn't help matters either.

I received a pleasant surprise on Thanksgiving Day, June and Gii dropped in and we spent a very nice day together.  They were on their way back to Topaz because Gii is supposed to report to Camp Savage by January first.  That is if he passes his physical.   JoJo is sure growing up and during his four month stay in Ohio, he acquired a touch of that southern accent.  And it's really a kick to listen to him talk.

Well Yuri I guess that's just about all for this time, so we'll be saying “bye for now” and please give my sincerest regards to all.

As ever,

Min 

PS thanks a lot for the pictures.  Remember George Kanata?  Guess where he is.   Camp Savage

Gaman

Gaman, a Buddhist word, means “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity”.  In facing American racism, gaman was necessary for self-preservation.  Gaman was characteristic of the samurai.  In samurai culture, the sword had great significance.  A man’s honor resided in his sword, and the craftsmanship of swords became an art in itself. It is the Samurai spirit that led to the making of swords in camp.  In the years after the war, families were invited to bring their artifacts to the Japanese American National Museum.   Among the items brought were 7 samurai swords.  Each was presented by different families, from different camps.  All of them were reported to have been made in camp by the Issei of their families.  It is still a mystery how they made the swords, as metal was difficult to get, and the only heat was coal.  Internees were expressing their subdued rage by making forbidden Samurai swords. Swords not intended for violence, but defiance, as symbols of strength and beauty using the Samurai spirit within them. 

Rinzo

Of the seven samurai swords that were presented to the museum, two were made in Topaz.  And one was made by Min’s oldest brother, Rinzo.  Rinzo was 55 when Japan attacked Hawaii. Of his 6 children, 3 were still under 18, and were interned with him at Topaz.  His handmade samurai sword is on display at the Topaz museum in Utah.  Donated by his daughter, Edith, who told the museum that her father had made the sword from the leaf spring from a car.

442nd

In 1943, Japanese Americans who had been interned were finally allowed to join the U.S. military and fight in the war.  President Roosevelt activated the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It was composed entirely of Nisei from Hawaii and mainland US.  These men fought and won battles while their families were held captive at home.  The Battle of the ‘Lost Battalion’ has been hailed as one of the fiercest and most heroic ground battles in American military history. The 442nd was sent into the harsh terrain of the Vosges mountains of France and ordered to rescue a Texas National Guard unit trapped deep in the forest, surrounded by 6,000 Nazi troops. Previous attempts had failed, incurring heavy losses. The trapped Texans were running dangerously low on ammunition and rations.  Adolf Hitler himself had heard of the trapped unit and ordered that they not be rescued no matter what the cost to the Germans.   After a month of non-stop combat, on October 31st, the 442nd finally was able to rescue them.  They lost 150 men in the process.  The rescue of the Lost Battalion is an essential story which has helped improve the reception of Japanese Americans in the US in the years since World War II.

The 442nd is remembered as the most decorated unit in the history of the US military. The unit, totaling about 18,000 men, collected over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 560 Silver Star Medals, 21 Medals of Honor, and seven Presidential Unit Citations.   In 2010, all members of the 442nd were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their heroic service.

Domoto Brothers

The first Domoto Nursery was started by brothers Kanetaro and Takanoshin Domoto in 1885 at 3rd and Grove streets in Oakland. They moved in 1892 to E.14th St. and Central Ave.  It grew to be one of the largest nurseries in California and was referred to as “Domoto College” for the multitude of young men who trained there.  The brothers and their large families ran the nursery for 50 years.  They lost the nursery in the great depression.

But in 1927, Toichi Domoto, son of one of the original Domoto Nursery founders, began a nursery at Whitman St. in Hayward.  Toichi leased the land from a Danish immigrant named Sorensen. He paid taxes to Sorensen, so the land was not confiscated by the state, as other Japanese properties were.  Toichi continued to pay Sorensen while incarcerated, which enabled him to keep the nursery. After the war, Toichi purchased the land from Sorensen. Toichi grew camellias at his Hayward nursery into the 1980s and 90s.

Most of the plants that have flowered at the historic “Filoli” house & garden in Woodside, were supplied and planted by Toichi Domoto.  A bonsai tree, that originated Japan in 1815, tended by Toichi for years, survived the wars years and the depression, is now on display at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Washington.

Friends

Min and his nieces and nephews had gone to school with the Domoto kids, and each had worked at one time or another for the Domoto Brothers Nursery.  Yuri and Min wrote letters to each other throughout the war years.  The names he mentioned in those letters were the Domoto family, Kan, Wak and Toichi. 

When Min eventually left dreary Chicago, he moved into the “back house” of Toichi Domoto’s Hayward home.  He was listed on the 1950 census as a “nursery man”.  Probably tending to Toichi’s Camillias. 

Aftermath

For the displaced Japanese, the difference between total devastation and having a place to return to, came down to their proximity to racism.  If they were lucky to live near white families that called them friends, they had a possibility to have these friends to care for their farms and homes.  Several kind people stepped up and managed the land for the incarcerated.  For those with neighbors that were anti-Japanese there was no hope.  It is estimated that more than 5 billion dollars in property was lost from the Japanese during internment.  Having no money and no home to return to most of them ended up in other states, never seeing their homes or farms again.  Many communities even passed resolutions banning them from returning.

The activism of the 1960s encouraged the Japanese community to seek redress. They persuaded President Ford to rescind Executive Order 9066. They convinced President Carter to establish the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Its report acknowledged there was no military necessity for incarcerating them. The commission recommended a national apology and compensation. 

President Regan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The act offered an official Congressional apology for the internment, admitted to racist prejudice, war time hysteria and failure of leadership. It also commanded that $20,000 be issued to all living survivors of the Japanese internment. 

Minoru Yonekura didn’t get an apology.  He did not receive $20,000. 

Our friend Minoru died in 1986. 

Epilogue

Min never married or had any children.  But the Yonekura family continues in the lives of his nieces and nephews.

Min’s brother George married and had one daughter, Anne Marie.  Anne Marie married Ken Taylor.  They moved to Colorado and had 3 sons .   Son Stewart is a geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineer in Maryland.  Son Keith is an architect in Kansas. David is a home inspector in Colorado.

His Brother Rinzo married and had 4 sons and 2 daughters.

Rinzo’s son George remained in California.  He invented the license detector system that enables police officers to monitor vehicles on the road to ensure drivers have valid licenses.  All of George’s children are still in Alameda County.

Rinzo’s daughter Alice married Lou Tsunekawa.  Lou is a member of the baseball hall of fame in Stockton and has a ball field named for him.  He also was injured during the rescue of the lost battalion.   They never had children.

Rinzo’s daughter Edith married Ted Ikemoto and moved to Salinas.  She lived to be almost 100.  Her daughters now live in Tennessee.

Rinzo’s son Masayuki married, had 2 sons, and moved to Monterey.  His son Glen is a real estate investor in the Silicon Valley and is on the Santa Clara University Board of Fellows.  Derek is a science teacher in Salinas.

Rinzo’s youngest son Kazunori was living in Fernley NV, and passed away in 2023.