Incarceration Years: Lordsburg/Santa Fe, Seagoville, Amache Camp Photos and DOJ Documents

Licensing

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.

Slides in this album 

Rev. Masahiko and Mrs. Kuniko Wada, circa 1931

Photo 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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Contributed by: mhomma

Dr. Kyushiro Homma with the Wada family at Gardena Valley Baptist Church

Engagement 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 Permit

Rev. 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 1

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.

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Contributed by: mhomma

Rev. Wada Psalm 121 Woodblock Print

Rev. 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.


WARE (I) 山にむかひて

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Santa Fe Echo Issue 14 - July 1942 page 1

Santa 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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Contributed by: mhomma

Santa Fe Echo Issue 14 - July 1942 page 2

Santa 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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Contributed by: mhomma

Arrest Warrant - Mrs. K. Wada

On 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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Contributed by: mhomma

San Pedro Detention Center Letter - Kuni Wada

May 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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Contributed by: mhomma

Letter from Mrs. Kuni Wada from Seagoville Detention Station

Mrs. 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Kuni Wada Letter to Director of the DOJ, Mr. Ennis

Mrs. 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 …

Kuni Wada Letter to Director of the DOJ
Contributed by: mhomma

Seagoville DOJ Detention Center Letters

Complete set of Seagoville DOJ Detention Center letters from Great grandmother Kuniko Wada to grand Uncle Yasushi Wada.   Found in Seattle during a family visit in Oct 2016.   Great addition to grandmother's letters received from Seagoville.

Seagoville DOJ Detention Center Letters
Contributed by: mhomma

Letter 2 from Seagoville Women's Detention Center

Jan 1943 letter from Mrs. Kuni Wada to her son Yasushi Wada at Poston Internment Camp.  However, Uncle Yas had moved to Eastern Baptist Seminary in Pa.

Prisoner of War Mail was free.

Letter 2 from Seagoville Women's Detention Center
Contributed by: mhomma

DOJ Notice - Notice to Aliens of Enemy Nationalities

People older than 14 yrs old within the US and not citizens must apply at the post office for a Cert of Id...

DOJ Notice - Front page
Contributed by: mhomma

Tuna Canyon, CA Detention Center to Santa Fe, NM Transfer

Great Grandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada's transfer paperwork. Arrested on March 13th and then transferred to Tuna Canyon Detention Center.  Transferred to Santa Fe, NM  Detention Center on March 26th.

Tuna Canyon, CA Detention Center to Santa Fe, NM Transfer
Contributed by: mhomma

LA County Jail to Tuna Canyon Detention center transfer

Great Grandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada's transfer DOJ INS transfer paperwork.  Arrested on March 13th and then transferred to Tuna Canyon on March 14th.

LA County Jail to Tuna Canyon Detention center transfer
Contributed by: mhomma

Dept of “Justice” Alien Enemy Hearing Board

Notice of Hearing for Rev. Masahiko Wada, Baptist Minister for Pomona Baptist Church.
The date of the hearing is scheduled for April 27, 1942.

Dept of “Justice” Alien Enemy Hearing Board
Contributed by: mhomma

Letter from Lordsburg DOJ Camp

Jan 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.

Lordsburg DOJ prison letters
Contributed by: mhomma

Letter of reconsideration to the Dept of Justice

Aug 26, 1942 letter from Lordsburg Detention Center.  Letter asking for reconsideration from Great Grandfather Masahiko Wada to US Attorney.

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Bank of America receipt for a radio

Bank 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 Anita

Letting the car go and optioning it back to the bank before being taken to Santa Anita Assembly Center

Letting the car go -1942
Contributed by: mhomma

War Bonds Jan 1942

USA 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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Contributed by: mhomma

Santa Anita Information Bulletin

Santa Anita Assembly Center Information Bulletin for the Homma family. Living quarters and meal times were assigned to the family.

Santa Anita Information Bulletin
Contributed by: mhomma

Santa Anita Assembly center registration

After 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.

Santa Anita Assembly center registration
Contributed by: mhomma

Petition to reunite Wada family

Rev. 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 …

Petition to reunite Wada family
Contributed by: mhomma

Envelopes from Mrs. Kuni Wada

Letters 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 …

Envelopes from Mrs. Kuni Wada
Contributed by: mhomma

Envelopes & Camp Letters

Letter 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)...

Letters were the way to communicate
Contributed by: mhomma

Prisoner of War Envelop from Lordsburg

Letter from my GreatGrandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada to his son, Yasushi Wada, at Eastern Baptist Seminary. Masahiko Wada had crossed out the "Prisoner".

Prisoner of War Envelop from Lordsburg
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Brochure

Description 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Brochure page 1drawing

Inside cover drawing, the next page explains the Amache name. Granada Relocation Center’s unofficial name became “Amache,” named after a Cheyenne Indian chief’s daughter who married John Prowers (1839-1884), a prominent cattle rancher for whom the county is named. The name Amache was used after a mail mix-up between the …

Amache Brochure page 1 drawing
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Water Tower

Amache 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Dental Staff

Back row (L to R):
Dr. M. Okuda, Dr. J. Abe, Dr. Nagamoto, Hiroshi Ed Hamamura (USC dental school), Nooru Shimokawa (from Hawaii and USC), Dr Higaki

Middle Rows:
Easter Takei (between Dr Homma & Amy), Midori Wada (Grandmother Mutsu Wada Homma's sister behind Amy), Mrs. Ohaine (above Dr …

Amache Dental Office
Contributed by: mhomma

Inside Amache Dental Office

Dr. 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.

Inside Amache Dental Office
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Christian Church

Amache Christian Church 1945
My Great Grandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada front row 3rd from the right

Amache Christian Church
Contributed by: mhomma

Homma Children in Amache - Kumiko, Hisao, Kunio

Homma 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Homma Siblings back at 12K 12E in 2008

Homma 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Letter from family friends at Manzanar

Letter 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 …

Letter from Nagano Family to Homma Family
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Group photo

Mike 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Group photo 2

Mrs. Kuni Wada 2nd row 6th from the left. Possible a Block 12H photo.

Amache Group photo 2
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Memorial September 1945

Designed 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.

Amache Memorial September 1945
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Granite monument designed by Reverend Masahiko Wada

Granite 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.
My Grandmother Mutsu Wada Homma front Left. My Great-Grandfather Rev. Masahiko Wada 2nd from right with glasses.

Amache Granite monument designed by Reverend Masahiko Wada
Contributed by: mhomma

Homma Siblings at Amache Memorial in 2008

Homma 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.

Homma family at Amache Memorial Stone in 2008
Contributed by: mhomma

Planted trees around Amache

The internees planted trees around the Amache camp. Several of the trees are still alive around the camp as we visited Amache

Planted trees around Amache
Contributed by: mhomma

Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa's Amache visit with the Homma and Wada family

The 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Mike Wada with friends

Probably 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Minidoka Travel Permit Approval for Minidoka

Rev. 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 …

Minidoka Travel Permit Approval for Minidoka
Contributed by: mhomma

War Relocation Authority Alien Travel Request

Amache Internment Camp to Minidoka Internment camp travel request so Rev Wada could conduct Chirstian services in Japanese.

War Relocation Authority Alien Travel Request
Contributed by: mhomma

INS-DOJ Short term leave request to Minidoka Internment Camp

Rev. 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
Contributed by: mhomma

Western Union Telegram notice

Western Union Telegram from Baptist worker John Terborg to New York's Baptist office of Rev. Wada's travel approval to Minidoka Interment Camp to conduct services since the Japanese speaking minister returned to Japan.

Western Union Telegram notice
Contributed by: mhomma

Esther Mary McCullough letter to Am. Baptist Board

American Baptist women's worker Esther Mary McCullough letter to Am. Baptist Board describing Rev. Wada's time ministering at Minidoka.  Ms McCullough worked at Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle, WA before and after the war.

Esther Mary McCullough letter to Am. Baptist Board
Contributed by: mhomma

Minidoka Federated Christian Church funeral service

Rev Wada, front row 2nd from the left, conducting a funeral service for a Nisei 442nd RCT veteran.   American Baptist Minister Emery Andrews is standing in the back row.

Minidoka Federated Christian Church funeral service
Contributed by: mhomma

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 …

Amache Silk Screen shop brochure
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Reflections Cover July 1945

The 30-ish page document was written by a Honolulu Times writer, Ichigo, that was interned …

Amache Reflections Cover July 1945
Contributed by: mhomma

Leaving Amache short stories

The 30-ish page document was written by a Honolulu Times writer, Ichigo, that was interned in Amache.   He gave this to my Grandmother as people were preparing to depart from camp on July 31, 1945.  Ichigo thanked my uncle, Mike Wada, for helping get it printed as …

Leaving Amache short stories
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Silkscreen - Cherry Blossoms from Midori Wada Murai

Midori Wada's Amache Silkscreen Print from the Amahe Silkscreen shop.  Donated to the Amache Museum.  Silk canvas.  Re-framed post Amache.

Amache Silkscreen - Cherry Blossoms from Midori Wada Murai
Contributed by: mhomma

Amache Wood Carvings

Wood carvings from tree roots.  Crane and Turtle colored with black shoe polish from Rev. Wada

Amache Wood Carvings
Contributed by: mhomma

Album Type

family history

mhomma — Last modified Mar 05 2023 5:16 p.m.


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