Gila River Internment Center - Rivers, Arizona - World War II Sites on Waymarking.com

Gila River Indian Community land was selected by the United States Government as one of ten camp sites and construction was started without the permission of the community. The permit for the United States Government to use the tribal land was reluctantly granted on October 7, 1942, two months after the internees were moved in.

The Gila River Indian community brought claims against the United States in 1971 for failure to comply with the terms of the permit agreed to in 1942. Damages were finally awarded to the community in 1976.

The war relocation authority designated this site as Rivers, Arizona in honor of Jim Rivers, the first Pima Indian killed in action during World War I.

The center was closed in November, 1945 and Rivers, Arizona became only a name in history.

The former internees, The Arizona Chapter of Japanese American Citizens, League and Friends who organized and funded these commemoratives, sincerely appreciate the permission and cooperation of the Gila River Indian community in allowing these dedications.

While their families were interred at Gila River, many U. S. Citizens of Japanese ancestry volunteered to serve or were inducted into the U. S. Military services. They fought on both the European and Pacific fronts in defense of the United States. Sacrifices were made by these Americans of Japanese ancestry to demonstrate their loyalty to the Untied States of America.

This monument honors all those who served in the U>S> Military during World War II. It was originally dedicated on April 23, 1944 with 458 names. When the center was closed in November 1945 over 1,100 internees had entered the Military Services.

Died serving in the U.S.A. Military Armed Forces, Rivers Arizona

The following list names some of the service men who gave their lives. Some names may be unlisted by choice while others were not located, but they are all equally honored.

Araki, Pfc. Masashi
Fujino, S/Sgt. Russel
Furukawa, Pvt. Tatsumi
Hasimoto, Sgt. John
Hiyama, Pvt. Yeiichi
Ishida, Pvt, Min
Kanada, Pvt. James
Kojaku, Pfc. Shaw
Komoto, Pfc. Nobuo
Kondo, Pvt. Henry
Kurokawa, T/4 Ben
Masuda, S/Sgt. Kazuo
Masumoto, Pfc. George
Nishi, Pfc. Takanori
Ota, Pvt. Geroge
Otani, S/Sgt. Kazuo CMH
Sakohira, Pfc. Todd
Shikata. T/3 George
Takasugi, T/Sgt. Katsumi
Teramoto, Sgt. Toshiaki
Wakita, Pfc. Masuo
Yeto, Pvt. Misuru
Yoshihara, Pvt. Makoto

This Monument was rededicated with this plaque on March 18, 1995

CANAL CAMP

The construction of the Canal Camp began on May 5, 1942. The first internees arrived on July 20, 1942. The population of 5,400 was at its peak on August 21, 1942. The majority of the internees were from central California.

Canal; High School graduated 97 seniors in 1944. The schools in both camps were accredited by the Sate of Arizona. Canal High published a bi-weekly newspaper "High Tide" and an annual year book called "Rivulet".

Over 1,100 loyal citizens from both camps served in the U. S. Armed Services. A plaque honoring those that served and those that died for their country is located at the Butte Camp Memorial.

Up to 8,000 acres adjacent to the Canal Camp were farmed growing 42 different varieties of vegetables as well as live stock. A dehydration plant, a cannery and vegetable packing shed were also located near the Canal Camp. Nearly 1,000 internees from both camps worked on the farms.

Canal; Camp was closed in October, 1945.

The Monument Committee gratefully acknowledges the permission granted by the Gila River Indian Community to erect these monuments on their land.

Butte Camp

Internees began to arrive at Butte Camp on August 21, 1942. The population of 8,301 was at its peak on March 21, 1943. The majority of the internees were from Central Los Angles and the South Coastal regions of California.

The main center hospital was located at Butte Camp with an annex and clinic located at Canal Camp./ The hospital had a 250 bed capacity. Five churches of Buddhist and Christian denominations were established. Other services such as a canteen, shoe repair shop, etc. were also available.

Butte High School graduated 136 seniors in 1944. The high school published a newspaper "Desert Sentinal" and an annual year book called "Years Flight.: A total of 872 students graduated high school from both camps in 1943, 1944, and 1045.

The center newspaper "Gila News Courier" was published up to tri-weekly with a Japanese section and was operated by the internees.

The Butte camp and the Gila River Internment Center were officially closed on November 16, 1945.

The Monument committee gratefully acknowledges the permission granted by the Gila River Indian Community to erect these monuments on their land.

Opening Days/Times: The Canal and Butte Camps sites are sacred to the tribe; therefore public access is restricted. "No Trespassing" signs are posted and a permit must be obtained from the Gila River Indian Tribe to visit either site. Related Website: Not listed Supplementary Related Website: Not listed Admission Fee: Not listed

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Posting a picture(s) of the location would be nice although not required.

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