Harry Kawamoto, a Nisei from San Diego drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1942, testified before the Commission about the contradictions and injustices he and other Japanese American soldiers faced during WWII. Although he did not experience incarceration himself, his testimony revealed how racism and mistrust followed Nisei even into military service.

• Drafted Before Removal: Entered the Army just before mass evacuation began. While in training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, requested furlough to visit his parents in Poston, Arizona, but was denied because “no persons of Japanese ancestry were allowed in that area.”

• Denied Emergency Furlough: Recalled fellow Nisei soldier Albert Ito, whose brother was killed in the so-called “Manzanar riot.” Ito was refused permission to attend the funeral, with the same excuse given.

• Roosevelt at Fort Riley: When President Roosevelt visited Fort Riley in 1943, Nisei soldiers were locked inside barracks under armed guard — while another group of Nisei, overlooked by officers, wandered freely outside. Kawamoto called this “a ridiculous security measure” that showed the government did not trust its own Japanese American servicemen.

• Segregated & Distrusted: Nisei were often assigned to noncombatant units, further proof of government suspicion. Kawamoto argued that once drafted, Nisei should have been treated with full fairness and respect.

• On Injustice: Declared that denying a soldier the right to attend his brother’s funeral could “never be justified.”

• Redress & Reparations: Insisted no apology could erase such wrongs, and called on the Commission to recommend reparations “in the greatest degree possible.” Pointed out that Congress already had evidence after WWII to justify payments, yet ignored it.

• Closing Plea: Affirmed that every person of Japanese ancestry — and others affected — suffered financial and psychological losses and deserved compensation, endorsing the proposals of the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations.