Incarceration Years: Lordsburg/Santa Fe, Seagoville, Amache Camp Photos and DOJ Documents
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Homma Family Photos of Amache and Wada Family DOJ documents.
Rev. Masahiko Wada was an American Baptist minister for First Baptist Church, Garden Grove, Terminal Island Baptist Mission, Moneta / Gardena Valley Baptist Church (1929-1940) and First Baptist Church, Pomona (1940-1942). The Terminal Island Baptist Mission did not re-organize after WWII.
Grandfather Kyushiro Homma was a denist (USC dental school graduate) and Grandmother Mutsu Wada Homma supported the church music ministries (USC Music School).
The Homma family lived in Sawtelle, CA. On March 13, 1942, the FBI executed an arrest warrant under emergency authorization from the Assistant US Attorney Leo Silverstein. The Presidential warrant, number crossed out, was requested by the US Attorney of Los Angeles on March 10, 1942, file #100-12200 and #100-12201. As stated in the warrant, the charges against Kuni Wada were for “being a dangerous alien engaging in subversive activities.” The warrant stated that Mrs. Wada was a teacher at the Upland Kyosei-Kai Japanese Language School in Laguna which was indirectly controlled by the Japanese Gov’t by approving the books it used. Rev. Wada's, an American Baptist missionary and minister, charges stated on warrant D.J. 146-13-2-12-3447, were “Suspicion of Pro-Japanese Sympathy and Activities.” Rev. and Mrs. Wada were taken to the LA County Jail.
Rev. Wada was then taken to the INS Tuna Canyon jail prior to being transferred to DOJ Camp at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rev. Wada was then transferred to an Army facility at Lordsburg, NM, 29-H-J-614 C.I, until the end of 1943.
Mrs. Wada was taken into custody and jailed at the INS San Pedro Detention Center on Terminal Island then transferred to be “interned” at Seagoville Detention Center inside Seagoville Womens Federal Prison in Texas. The rest of the Wada children were sent to different internment camps.
Michihiko "Mike" Wada, who return from New York after his parents were arrested, was sent to Pomona Assembly Center and Heart Mountain, WY, 14-8-24. Uncle Mike was eventually able to get transferred to Amache where he worked in the silk screen shop. Yasushi Wada, a Gardena High graduate and Univ. of Redlands student, was sent to Poston, AZ, Block 14-14-D until his parents and missionary friends were able to get him into Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Midori, who was going to Pomona City College, went to Santa Anita Assembly Center with the Homma family and then Amache Colarado, 12K-12F, with the Homma family, 12K-12E. Midori wrote several letters to the US government and other ministers on behalf of her parents, trying to reunite the family. At Amache, Midori worked in the dental office and silk screen shop.
As written in Part IV, of the famous Rev. Herbert Nicholson’s book, Treasure in Earthen Vessels, Rev. Nicholson was able to visit all the Wadas during the war in the different interment camp and detention centers. During a visit to Seagoville women’s penitentiary, Rev. Nicholson visited with Mrs. Wada for the afternoon. He talked about visiting Rev. Wada in Lordsburg, Midori and Mutsu in Amache, Mike at Heart Mountain, and Yas in Eastern Baptist seminary. Rev. Nicholson, from Pasadena and Pomona, was a good family friend and a missionary to Japan.
While Rev. Wada was at Lordsburg in Nov. 1942, C.V. Hibbard, from the YMCA War Prisoner’s Aid Committee was able to send an English Bible and a note referencing working together in Japan. While in Seagoville, Mrs. Wada writes about the arrive of the Japanese from Peru. The men from Peru were taken to Kennedy, TX and the women and children to Seagoville before being returened to Japan. She writes about setting up a school for the Japanese children before their return to Japan. She also warns the Wada children not to try to visit Seagoville because travel is dangerous at this time.
In late 1944, Rev. and Mrs. Wada were reunited in Crystal City, Texas prior to be paroled to Amache Internment Camp in Colorado where the Homma family and Midori Wada were being held. The American Baptist Home Missionary Society and other played a key role in getting Rev. and Mrs. Wada released after Dr. Kyushiro Homma suffered a fatal heart attack and stroke in Amache.
Michihiko "Mike" Wada and Midori Wada worked in the Amache Silk Screen shop. The American Baptist Home Missions Society arranged for Rev. Wada to visit Minidoka Internment Camp from Amache to provide sermons and baptisms.
This is where Rev. Wada met several people from the Seattle Japanese Baptist Church.
The Wada and Homma families relocated to Seattle, WA via train after their release from Amache in September 1945. Their destination was the Seattle Japanese Baptist Church parsonage to restart their lives. Michihiko and Midori Wada resettled in New York after their release from Amache.
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Rev. Masahiko and Mrs. Kuniko Wada, circa 1931Photo after the rest of the family came to the USA from Japan sponsored by the American Baptist Home Missions. Mrs. Wada, eldest son Michihiko, Midori, and Yasushi came in 1931 when the family decided to stay in the USA. The American Baptist Home Missions sponsored Rev. Mashahiko Wada to … |
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Dr. Kyushiro Homma with the Wada family at Gardena Valley Baptist ChurchEngagement photo at Gardena Valley Baptist Church in 1933. Rev. Masahiko Wada was the pastor at GVBC from 1929-1940. Back row: Michihiko Wada, Rev. Masahiko Wada, Dr. Kyushiro Homma Front row: Mrs. Kuni Wada, Yasushi Wada, Mutsu Wada (Homma), Midori Wada (Murai) |
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Alien Enemy Travel PermitRev. Wada travel permit so he could continue serving the Japanese Baptist ministry. Jan. 1942 Alien Enemy Travel Permit - Rev M Wada from Dept of Justice, US Attorney So. Cal. District |
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Arrest Warrant Rev. M Wada page 1On March 13, 1942, the FBI executed an arrest warrant under emergency authorization from the Assistant US Attorney Leo Silverstein. The Presidential warrant, number crossed out, was requested by the US Attorney of Los Angeles on March 10, 1942, file #100-12200 and #100-12201. |
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Honolulu Newspaper on Nov 30th, 1941Copy received from Ms. Estella Hoshimiya in So. California. |
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Rev. Wada Psalm 121 Woodblock PrintRev. Wada's woodblock while incarcerated in Santa Fe DOJ Detention Center. Same scenery as a NJAHS Santa Fe Detention Center signed handkerchief. Uncle Kunio Homma thinks his grandfather came to Amache with the woodblock print. |
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Santa Fe Echo Issue 14 - July 1942 page 1Santa Fe Echo Newsletter Issue 14 July 3, 1942 from Santa Fe Detention Center, New Mexico. Newsletter was in a letter from Rev. Masahiko Wada to his youngest son, Yasushi Wada, at Poston. |
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Santa Fe Echo Issue 14 - July 1942 page 2Santa Fe Echo Newsletter Issue 14 July 3, 1942 from Santa Fe Detention Center, New Mexico. Newsletter was in a letter from Rev. Masahiko Wada to his youngest son, Yasushi Wada, at Poston. |
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Arrest Warrant - Mrs. K. WadaOn March 13, 1942, Mrs. Kuni Wada was arrested at home by the FBI. She was arrested with several other Japanese Language School teachers that day. After spending a few days downtown in jail, she was transferred to the Terminal Island Federal Prison. She was held at Terminal Island prison … |
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San Pedro Detention Center Letter - Kuni WadaMay 29, 1942 letter from INS San Pedro Detention Center on Terminal Island, CA. Great Grandmother Wada was arrested at the Pomona Baptist Church parsonage on March 13th, 1942. |
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Letter from Mrs. Kuni Wada from Seagoville Detention StationMrs. Kuni Wada's letter written in English to the Director of the Dept of Justice, Mr Ennis, requesting information on why she was arrested and being imprisoned away from her family. Great Grandmother spoke and wrote in both Japanese and English. She also understood and spoke some French and German.
Letter from Mrs. Kuni Wada from Seagoville Detention Station |
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Kuni Wada Letter to Director of the DOJ, Mr. EnnisMrs. Kuni Wada's letter written in English to the Director of the Dept of Justice requesting information on why she was arrested and being imprisoned away from her family. Great Grandmother spoke and wrote in both Japanese and English. She also understood and spoke some French and German from interacting … |
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DOJ Notice - Notice to Aliens of Enemy NationalitiesPeople older than 14 yrs old within the US and not citizens must apply at the post office for a Cert of Id... |
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Dept of “Justice” Alien Enemy Hearing BoardNotice of Hearing for Rev. Masahiko Wada, Baptist Minister for Pomona Baptist Church. |
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Letter from Lordsburg DOJ CampJan 28, 1943 Rev Wada cannot pay Baptist Ministry fees because his money had been frozen. The Southern Cal Baptist Convention as well as the American Baptist continued to work to reunited the Wada family and secure their release. The SBC did cover the fees while Rev. Wada was imprisoned. |
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Lordsburg DOJ Camp Roster page 2Upper right text: Untitled País: 
mhomma
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Lordsburg DOJ Camp Roster page 3Camp decription and acknowledging the authors |
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Letter of reconsideration to the Dept of JusticeAug 26, 1942 letter from Lordsburg Detention Center. Letter asking for reconsideration from Great Grandfather Masahiko Wada to US Attorney. |
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Alien Enemy Routing - M WadaDept of Justice Alien Enemy routing from arrest to Lordsburg |
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Lordsburg Information on Detainee BehaviorPrison staff's opinion on detainee's behavior |
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Bank of America receipt for a radioBank of America receipt for a radio that was sold for a few dollars in 1942 |
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Letting the car go before Santa AnitaLetting the car go and optioning it back to the bank before being taken to Santa Anita Assembly Center |
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Bank sells the family carBank sells the family car to he Army
Bank selling the car |
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War Bonds Jan 1942USA Defense Savings Bonds, $25, purchased in Jan, 23, 1945. Two months before taken to Santa Anita Assembly Center then to Amache. |
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Santa Anita Information BulletinSanta Anita Assembly Center Information Bulletin for the Homma family. Living quarters and meal times were assigned to the family. |
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Grandfather's Dental Supplies for Internment CampDental Office inventory which was to be shipped to Amache.
Grandfather's Dental Supplies for Internment Camp |
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Santa Anita Assembly center registrationAfter Midori Wada's parents were arrested, she went to the Homma household to be with her older sister, Mutsu Wada Homma. The neighbors told Midori about the arrest as she was at Pomona City College. |
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Santa Anita Assembly Center Informational bulletinBarracks and meal assignments
Santa Anita Assembly Center Informational bulletin |
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Relocation instructions from Santa AnitaSanta Anita Assembly Center relocaton instructions to Granada Relocation Center |
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Petition to reunite Wada familyRev. Wada's petition to reunite his family after being separated into different internment camps or DOJ detention centers. Rev. M. Wada's petition to reunite his family after being split up into different internment camps. Rev. Wada was sent to Lordsberg DOJ camp in New Mexico. Mrs. K. Wada was sent … |
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Envelopes from Mrs. Kuni WadaLetters to my Grandmother Mutsu Wada Homma from Mrs. Kuni Wada. As stated in the warrant, the charges against Kuni Wada were for “being a dangerous alien engaging in subversive activities.” The warrant stated that Mrs. Wada was a teacher at the Upland Kyosei-Kai Japanese Language School in Laguna which … |
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Envelopes & Camp LettersLetter writing was the primary means of communication; however, it was often hard to make sense of things when the letters were heavily edited (cut out people names, places, and sometime date references)... |
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Prisoner of War Envelop from LordsburgLetter from my GreatGrandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada to his son, Yasushi Wada, at Eastern Baptist Seminary. Masahiko Wada had crossed out the "Prisoner". |
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Amache BrochureDescription of Amache with drawings. Amache Booklet with drawings. Uncle Michihiko "Mike" Wada worked in the silk screen shop once he arrived at Amache in 1944 from Heart Mountain Internment Camp.
Amache Brochure |
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Shipping more dental equipment to AmacheShipping more dental equipment to Amache |
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Amache Consumer Enterprise MembershipRegister receipt |
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Amache buildingsAmache Internment Camp
Amache buildings |
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Amache Water TowerAmache Water Tower My father, Hisao Homma, and uncle, Kunio Homma, use to climb the tower as children. The water tower was close to their barracks at 12K-12E.
Amache Water Tower |
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Amache Water Tower, 1944Another view of the water tower, circa 1944
Amache Water Tower 2 |
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Newly planted trees around camp AmacheNewly planted trees around camp Amache |
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Amache Internment Camp buildingsAmache Internment Camp buildings
Amache Buildings 2 |
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Amache Dental StaffBack row (L to R): Middle Rows:
Amache Dental Office |
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Inside Amache Dental OfficeDr. Kyushiro Homma is standing in the center of the photo. Dr. Homma was able to bring some of his dental office equipment from his Los Angeles office. circa 1943. |
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Amache Christian ChurchAmache Christian Church 1945 |
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Amache Christian Church newsletterGranada Christian Church weekly bulliten no 133
Granada Christian Church weekly bulliten no 133 |
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Amache Church DirectoryGranada Federated Christian Church directory, Block 7-H. |
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Amache Christian Church Sunday School ClassAmache Christian Church Sunday School Class |
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Hisao Homma Amache Grade SchoolTeacher Miss Smith
Amache Grade School |
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Homma Children in Amache - Kumiko, Hisao, KunioHomma Children in Amache Internment Camp, circa 1944. Left to Right are Kumiko, Hisao, Kunio. Photo taken outside barrack 12K 12E.
Homma Children in Amache - Kumiko, Hisao, Kunio |
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Homma Siblings back at 12K 12E in 2008Homma Children, Hisao, Kumiko, Kunio, return to Amache 63 years later. It was the first trip back for Hisao and Kunio. Photo taken in on the foundation of their barracks 12K 12E. July 3rd 2008.
Homma Children return to Amache - Hisao, Kumiko, Kunio |
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Homma Family in Amache Internment campHomma Family outside of 12K - 12E. left to right: Kunio (front), Kumiko, Mutsu, Hisao |
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Dr. Kyushiro Homma's funeral at AmacheGrandfather Homma was 44 yrs old when he died in Amache |
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Dr. Kyushiro Homma's Funeral at AmacheAugust 1944 |
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Dr. Homma's funeral serviceGrandfather's funeral service in Amache |
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Letter from family friends at ManzanarLetter from Manzanar page 5 - Front (from Sanezumi Nagano in Manzanar to the Homma Family in Amache) The families were neighbors in Sawtelle, CA. Joe Nagano, son of Sanezumi, was a JANM volunteer and my Grandfather Kyushiro Homma were friends. Painting describes a Friday night sandstorm at Manzanar, writing that the … |
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Amache Baseball teamAmache Baseball team
Amache Baseball team |
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Amache (Granada) Internment CampAmache Internment Camp. Photo from Michihiko Wada's photo album.
Amache Internment Camp |
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Amache Fire DeptAmache Fire Dept putting out a brush or trash fire.
Amache Fire Dept |
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Amache hospitalAmache hospital around 1944
Amache hospital |
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Amache HospitalAmache hospital staff
Amache hospital staff |
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Christmas time around AmacheDressed up for Christmas. Hisao Homma 2nd from the right. |
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Amache Elementary School Report CardHisao Homma's Amache report card. |
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Amache childrenAmache - Kumiko Homma Hasegawa 1st row 4th from the left
Amache Children |
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Amache Group photoMike Wada front row kneeling with camera around neck; Kunio Homma 9 kids right of Uncle Mike; my father, Hisao, front row 3 right of Kunio
Amache Group photo |
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Amache Group photo 2Mrs. Kuni Wada 2nd row 6th from the left. Possible a Block 12H photo.
Amache Group photo 2 |
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Amache Group photo |
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Amache Memorial September 1945Designed by Rev. Wada. My aunt said that the writing on the wood planks were done by Rev. Wada. The wood planks are currently on display at the Japanese American National Museum. |
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Amache Granite monument designed by Reverend Masahiko WadaGranite monument designed by Reverend Masahiko Wada. Names of 148 persons, including 31 Nisei who died in the service of their country, are inscribed on the memorial.
Amache Granite monument designed by Reverend Masahiko Wada |
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Homma Siblings at Amache Memorial in 2008Homma family members and children of Dr. Kyushiro and Mutsu Homma, (L to R) Kunio, Hisao, and Kumi Hasegawa, at the Amache Memorial stone that their grandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada designed. |
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Granada Christian Church thank you letterGranada Christian Church thank you letter to Miss Emma Noerenburg. |
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Planted trees around AmacheThe internees planted trees around the Amache camp. Several of the trees are still alive around the camp as we visited Amache |
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Girls around Amache 1944 or 1945Unknown girls walking around the Amache Internment Camp's dirt roads |
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Kunio Homma outside 12K-12EKunio outside his family's Amache Internment Camp room. |
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Hisao Homma at Amache Internment CampHisao is to the left. His friend is unknown at this time. |
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Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa's Amache visit with the Homma and Wada familyThe famous and distinguished Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa came to visit Amache and visited with the Homma and Wada family. Before WWII, Rev. Morikawa served as the youth pastor at Moneta / Gardena and Terminal Island Baptist churches as well as several other Los Angeles area Baptist churches. Rev. Morikawa served …
Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa with Kunio Homma and Rev. & Mrs. Wada |
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Girls hanging out after schoolTypical boring day around Amache |
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Mike Wada with friendsProbably Hisao and Kunio Homma, children to the left, in this photo. Notice the other person taking a photo too. Near the end of the war, my father remembers several people taking pictures.
Mike Wada at Amache with friends from Los Angeles |
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Friends at AmacheMutsu Homma far right |
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Homma family with Kuni Wada outside Amache with 2 unk peopleHomma family with Kuni Wada outside Amache with 2 unk people
Church friends and Santa Monica neighbors visit |
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American Baptist Royal H Fisher's letter for Minidoka visitMinidoka Federated Chruch's invite for Rev. Wada to come speak at special sessions in Nov and Dec 1944.
American Baptist Royal H Fisher's letter for Minidoka visit |
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Minidoka Travel Permit Approval for MinidokaRev. Wada's approval to travel to Minidoka Internment Camp for church services. I reviewed gov't documents stating the DOJ concern over approval of Rev. Wada's "Enemy Alien" travel request. Rev. Wada would travel to Minidoka Internment Camp at the request of the American Baptist and camp members. The pastor of Seattle's … |
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INS-DOJ Short term leave request to Minidoka Internment CampRev. Wada would travel from Amache to Minidoka to do church services. This is how he became known to the church members of Seattle's Japanese Baptist Church. Seattle Church members and Rev. Emory Andrews requested his services after WWII. This is how the family ended up in Seattle after camp …
INS-DOJ Short term leave request to Minidoka Internment Camp |
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Nisei Vet Funeral Ned Nakamura backRev. Wada conducted the funeral service |
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Amache Silk Screen shop brochure
Document describes the first year of the silk screen shop including projects and budget. Forward is written by Maida G. Campbell, Director Silk Screen Shop. The first pages describe the … |
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Travel Instructions for leaving Relocation CentersTravel Instructions in Japanese for the internees leaving the Internment Camps. Dated Feb. 1945.
Travel Instructions for Leaving the Relocation Centers |
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DOJ Enemy Alien Parole TerminationDOJ Enemy Alien Parole Termination |
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Children at Amache |
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Amache Wood Carvings |
Amache Stories and Memories
The Schmoe House, Houses for Hiroshima Project, Grand Opening Ceremony - Hiroshima, Japan
May 2011 Japan Tsunami Relief Mission trip & Follow up visit in Oct 2012
Baptist Churches in Pre-WWII Imperial Japan
Moneta / Gardena Valley Baptist Church (1930-1940)
Heart Mountain Photos from Michihiko Wada
Incarceration Years: Lordsburg/Santa Fe, Seagoville, Amache Camp Photos and DOJ Documents
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