Wood box used by a civilian Army contract to ship items home

[p-59a]

This guy was a civilian University Professor who was an Army employee. He shipped to Japan right after the surrender and returned to the states in 1946. I'm not sure what he did for the Army, but these are his things. Can anyone make out what the box was used for?

[p-59a]

Another off topic question is why would a civilian have a laundry number?

[p-59a]

mark found on clothing

[tiger41]

I would assume that as a professor he was in Japan as part of the governments effort to rebuild the infer structure of Japan. Given his last name on the box...I assume he may have spoken Japanese. As part of the effort he likely lived on a military area and wore a uniform of some type that identified him as a member of the occupational forces....and again given his name may have helped his not being stopped or mistaken for a Japanese national. His laundry would have been done on the facility as the Japanese likely had little to no facility of that kind still standing. There could have been Japanese working in the laundry and the number ID'ed his clothing. I see one kanji for "east"....which is pronounced "higashi" in Japanese. which is also his name in English. .Just some random assumptions !

[aznation]

Here's what I found on George J. Higashi.

 

 

[aznation]

>

[p-59a]

I would assume that as a professor he was in Japan as part of the governments effort to rebuild the infer structure of Japan. Given his last name on the box...I assume he may have spoken Japanese. As part of the effort he likely lived on a military area and wore a uniform of some type that identified him as a member of the occupational forces....and again given his name may have helped his not being stopped or mistaken for a Japanese national. His laundry would have been done on the facility as the Japanese likely had little to no facility of that kind still standing. There could have been Japanese working in the laundry and the number ID'ed his clothing. I see one kanji for "east"....which is pronounced "higashi" in Japanese. which is also his name in English. .Just some random assumptions !

Thank you for that information!

[aznation]

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[aznation]

Source: Fold3

[aznation]

Source: Fold3

 

[aznation]

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[aznation]

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[p-59a]

Aznation, you never fail to amaze me. Thank you!!!

[aznation]

Source: NARA

[aznation]

> Note: Can't be positive this is the same George Higashi since it doesn't show a middle initial but it might very well be him.

[aznation]

Source: Find-A-Grave

[aznation]

Source: FamiliySearch.org

[aznation]

Source: FamiliySearch.org

 

[aznation]

Source: FamiliySearch.org

 

[aznation]

Source: FamiliySearch.org

 

Note: This document shows the same mailing address that's on the trunk.

[aznation]

Source: FamiliySearch.org

 

[aznation]

>

[aznation]

Posted Today, 10:32 PM

Aznation, you never fail to amaze me. Thank you!!!

 

You're welcome. Glad I could find some info for you. -- Matt

[p-59a]

Matt, The Manzanar Free Press is dated 1943. I have never heard about anyone being sent any place. What was that program for? Does the Army still have lists of civilians employed by them?

[aznation]

Manzanar is best known as the site of one of ten American concentration (relocation) camps, where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II from December 1942 to 1945. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in California's Owens Valley between the towns of Lone Pine to the south and Independence to the north, it is approximately 230 miles north of Los Angeles.

 

Manzanar was the first of the ten concentration camps to be established. Initially, it was a temporary "reception center", known as the Owens Valley Reception Center from March 21, 1942, to May 31, 1942.[44] At that time, it was operated by the US Army's Wartime Civilian Control Administration (WCCA).

 

The Owens Valley Reception Center was transferred to the WRA on June 1, 1942, and officially became the "Manzanar War Relocation Center." The first Japanese Americans to arrive at Manzanar were volunteers who helped build the camp. By mid–April, up to 1,000 Japanese Americans were arriving daily, and by July, the population of the camp neared 10,000. Over 90 percent of them were from the Los Angeles area, with the rest coming from Stockton, California; and Bainbridge Island, Washington. Many were farmers and fishermen. Manzanar held 10,046 adults and children at its peak, and a total of 11,070 were incarcerated there.