Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Western Defense Command Headquarters
Across the street to your left is Building 35. Lives were changed by decisions made here. Originally built as cavalry barracks in 1912, it was converted in 1918 for the School of Bakers and Cooks and then in 1921 to serve as the headquarters of the Ninth Corps Area, Fourth U.S. Army. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, this building became the headquarters of the Western Defense Command under Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt. He was responsible for the defense of the western United States and the campaign to recapture Attu and Kiska Islands in Alaska. President Franklin Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 gave DeWitt the authority to forcibly remove West Coast Japanese non-citizens and Japanese American citizens to relocation camps in the interior.
Erected by Presidio of San Francisco, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1941.
Location. 37° 48.09′ N, 122° 27.346′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. Marker is at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Keyes Street, on the right when traveling west on Lincoln Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 281 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old and New: Presidio Fire Station (here, next to this marker); French 24-Pounder (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Post to Park (about 400 feet away); Presidio of San Francisco (about 400 feet away); Bringing A Creek Back to Life: Thompson Reach (about 400 feet away); Old Station Hospital (about 400 feet away); Old Post Hospital (about 500 feet away); First Women in the Army: U.S. Army Nurse Corps (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . .
1. John L. DeWitt. Wikipedia article (Submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Executive Order 9066. Wikipedia article with transcript of the order. (Submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 18, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 7. submitted on March 4, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California.