Letter from W. [Willard] E. Schmidt, Head, Internal Security to John H. Provinse, Head, Community Management, War Relocation Authority, January 13, 1943
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Description
Summary of events in connection with Internal Security Division of the Tule Lake incarceration camp, including description of personnel and recruitment efforts; a vote of incarcerees to return to work; decisions about the function of wardens and who would select members of the Warden Division; and matters concerning case report A-7, including personnel, equipment, and possible construction of an on-project jail. The Willard Schmidt collection, documents some of the administrative duties of Willard Schmidt, the Chief of Internal Security for the War Relocation Authority and the Tule Lake incarceration/segregation camp. This collection contains administrative records and photos documenting the Tule Lake camp, the largest incarceration camp with a peak population of 18,789 and with the most turbulent history. In 1943, the camp was turned into a segregation center to house "disloyal" Japanese Americans relocated from other camps based on their answers to a confusing loyalty questionnaire. The camp endured martial law from November 1943- Jan 1944 after escalating protests and unrest. The hostile environment of the camp lead to many incarcerees renouncing their American citizenship upon the end of incarceration, a process which took 14 years to reverse if they did not wish to be deported to Japan.
World War II--Administration--War Relocation Authority World War II--Incarceration camps--Facilities, services, and camp administration World War II--Incarceration camps--Work and jobs Geographic communities--California
Place
Newell, California Incarceration Camps--Tule Lake
Source
San Jose State University Department of Special Collections and Archives;
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