Paul Sagawa, born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1922, testified before the Commission about his family’s struggles under alien land laws, the loss of his father’s business, and the lasting injustice of wartime incarceration. His story traces the arc from forced removal in Arizona, to Poston camp, to Army service and beyond.

• Family Roots in Arizona: His father was a pioneer farmer in the Salt River Valley, active in community leadership — founding the Arizona Japanese Language School, serving as president of the Japanese Association, and helping establish the Phoenix Japanese Methodist Church in 1932.

• Alien Land Laws: Because his father could not lease land longer than three years, the family moved constantly. He also had to place his produce shipping business in the names of a Nisei and a Caucasian friend.

• Business Stolen: When the family was forced into Poston camp, the Caucasian partner seized control of the produce company. After the war, his father was given only a token payment — his life’s work gone. His health deteriorated soon after.

• Camp Years: At age 20, Paul became caretaker for his five younger siblings while his father was separately interned at Fort Bliss and Lordsburg.

• After Camp: Left Poston in 1943 for college, later drafted into the Army in 1944, serving with the Military Intelligence Language School. Rose to Master Sergeant before discharge in 1946.

• Life After Service: Tried farming again with his father and brother, but gave it up due to allergies. Moved to California, working as an office manager until a stroke in 1970 forced early retirement.

• Call for Redress: Declared incarceration was “no vacation” and condemned deniers. Urged monetary compensation as the only understood method of justice, alongside public education so “this can happen to anybody” is never repeated.

Mitsuo (Mitchell) Usui, a realtor from Northridge and WWII veteran, testified before the Commission in memory of his late parents. His testimony traced his family’s flourishing nursery business, the trauma of incarceration, his own military service, and the lasting wounds of loss.

• Family & Community Roots: Parents were active in Los Angeles Japanese community groups. His mother taught songs and cherished sayings; his father served on civic boards and left a legacy of service and faith.

• The Nursery Business: In 1938, the family invested in the Friend Club Nursery in Crenshaw, with $10,000 in land and inventory. By evacuation, it was thriving. They were forced to sell it for only $1,000 when his father was imprisoned by the FBI.

• Arrest & Evacuation: FBI agents raided their home after Pearl Harbor, chaining and numbering his father “like an animal.” The family was sent to Santa Anita Assembly Center and then to Colorado; his father later rejoined them from detention in New Mexico.

• Loss & Humiliation: Returning after the war, Usui tried to buy back the nursery, only to find it resold at inflated prices. The insult broke his father, who “never recovered” and died in 1953.

• Military Service: Despite his father’s objections — “It’s like kicking you in the pants, then asking you to shine my shoes” — Usui volunteered. He trained in Japanese language and paratroop units, serving until 1946. Returning home in uniform, he faced slurs of “damn Jap” on a Los Angeles bus, only defended by the bus driver.

• Legacy of Resilience: Remembered his mother’s proverb: “Knock it over seven times, it still comes up the eighth.” Saw in this the spirit of Issei, Nisei, and Sansei — to keep fighting for justice, dignity, and recognition.

• Closing Plea: Declared he would “keep on fighting until justice is done.”

Jun (June) Fukushima, a U.S. Army draftee in April 1941, testified before the Commission about the painful contradiction of serving his country while his family was imprisoned at Manzanar. His words blended personal memory, family loss, and a unique call for elder care for survivors.

• Before the War: His family farmed vegetables in Canoga Park, California. When Executive Order 9066 was issued, his parents, brothers, and sister were forced to abandon the farm and lost all household goods, furniture, and equipment — except a tractor sold off cheaply.

• In the Army: Drafted before Pearl Harbor, he served with the Military Intelligence Service at Camp Savage, Minnesota. Despite being on active duty, his family was sent to Manzanar.

• First Visit to Camp: In June 1943, took a bus from Los Angeles through the Mojave Desert to Manzanar. Found barbed wire, guard towers, straw-filled mattresses, blankets for walls, and communal showers and toilets with no privacy.

• Emotional Impact: Felt deep anguish knowing his parents and siblings endured incarceration while he wore the U.S. Army uniform.

• Call for Justice: Suggested not only compensation but also an “old age home” for surviving incarcerees, since elders bore the greatest shock and hardship.