Telegram to a Father 1d

Japanese American National Museum, Gift of Mary Saito Tominaga (94.6.77)

This object is part of the story , which is about Loyalty.

Amache, Loyalty, Telegram to a Father

  • Does this document give any clue as to who George Saito is?
  • Does he look like a young man or an older man?
  • What country is he a citizen of?
  • What might prompt a government to monitor its citizens in this way?
  • At the time this document was issued, where was George residing?
  • Does such a document make you question the rights and limitations of an American citizen?

This document is George’s indefinite leave card, issued by the government as a way to monitor any subversive behavior in its American-born citizens of Japanese ancestry. This card gave George permission to leave Amache concentration camp. Soon after its issuance, George enlisted in the United States Army and served in the segregated 442nd RCT in Europe.