A Question of Loyalty

A Question of Loyalty. . The Honor Roll sign listed the names of Minidoka men and women who served in World War II, attesting to their honor and loyal citizenship. But not all viewed honor and loyalty in the same way. The government issued a questionnaire in early 1943 to all internees, 17 or older, aimed at determining suitability for military service. But two problematic questions emerged. , , Question 27 confused women and the elderly, who feared a "yes" answer might require they serve in the military. Question 28 was particularly troubling to Issei (first-generation immigrants), who were unable to become U.S. citizens. They feared a "yes" answer meant losing their Japanese citizenship, leaving them country-less. They worried a "no" answer meant deportation to Japan. , , , 27. Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on combat duty, wherever ordered? , 28. Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power, or organization? , , no, no , Those draft-aged men who answered "no-no" were called the No-No Boys and branded disloyal. But not all answered "no" for the same reasons. Some were truly more loyal to Japan. Some protested the injustice of the whole relocation ordeal. And some responded "no" to avoid military service. The consequence for all, however, was segregation. They were all moved to the Tule Lake Segregation Center in California. Some 328 internees were sent to Tule Lake from Minidoka in 1943. , , yes, yes , Those who answered "yes-yes", 97 percent of Minidoka internees, the highest loyalty rate of the 10 camps, were eligible to be sponsored to leave the relocation center or join the armed forces. Sponsors included East Coast companies experiencing war time labor shortages. , , , The responsibilities of the War Relocation Authority can be best fulfilled if a separation is made between those who wish to follow the American way of life, and those whose interests are not in harmony with those of the United States. , Director Dillon S. Myer, War Relocation Authority