Patton's List of "Initial Seizure of Orange Nationals.”

A reader asked if I knew about General Patton's "internment list." I think the list that she requested is the "Initial Seizure of Orange Nationals" plan drawn up by General Patton while he was stationed in Hawaii (1935-37) This following is a copy of an article written by June Watanabe on February 27, 1984 for the Honolulu Star Bulletin.

“Hostage Plan Revealed”


In May 1983, while doing research at the National Archives for the USS Arizona Memorial, Michael Slackman, historian for the memorial, discovered a document titled, “A General Staff Study/Plan: Initial Seizure of Orange Nationals.” (“Orange” was the term sometimes used for Japan before World War II.) The document was prepared by George S. Patton while he was stationed in Hawaii as the Chief of Military Intelligence. The plan, drawn up as ordered by Major General Hugh Drum, was discarded and considered obsolete even before the war started.

The plan listed 128 men to be “seized.” The plan called for making the telephones of the targeted men inoperative through use of busy signals. Then, 80 soldiers were to board trucks and arrest the civilians who lived in the Honolulu area. Other arrangements were made for picking up eight diplomats at the Japanese Consulate.

Once arrested, the men were to be held at the Schofield Barracks hospital. Among the men named and what positions they held after the war are: Wilfred Tsukiyama, first Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court; Masaji Marumoto, Assistant Justice. Tomekichi “Tom” Okino, Circuit Court Judge of the Big Island; Benjamin Tashiro, Circuit Court Judge of Kauai; Toshio Ansai, Maui County Councilman and State Legislator; Noboru Miyake, State Senator from Kauai; Thomas Sakakihara, Big Island District Judge, Territorial Legislator; Y. Baron Goto, Vice-Chancellor of East-West Center; Ernest Hunt, the only Caucasian Buddhist priest in Hawaii; Fredrick Makino, founder of Hawaii Hochi.

I'll keep looking through my notes for the original list. By now, you know, my organizational skills are lacking. I can't even think of the book that has the complete list. If you're really interested, check with www.densho.org, I'm sure they would be able to help you.

PHOTO: Patton's Polo Team in Hawaii. Photo: Department of the Army, Hawaii