APA Community Grapples with Soldier's Decision to Refuse Deployment to Iraq

When 1st Lt. Ehren Watada refuses to deploy to Iraq later this month he will become the first military officer to take this position. He will also be the first APA officer to do so.

By CAROLINE AOYAGI-STOM, Pacific Citizen Executive Editor

In a community that has long revered its heroic World War II veterans, Japanese Americans are voicing a diverse range of opinions about the recent decision of a JA soldier to refuse deployment orders to Iraq, an order that is likely to come from his superiors later this month.

'I refuse to be silent any longer … I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression.' — 1st Lt. Ehren Watada

When U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, acts on his decision he will become the first commissioned military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. For several days now the Honolulu native's headshot has emblazoned the front pages of this nation's leading newspapers and debates over his decision have swarmed the Internet. But often lost amongst this debate are the voices of his fellow APA community members.

The opinions of those interviewed for this article are varied, just like it has been in the mainstream; some sympathize with Watada's plight while others vehemently disagree with his position. Still others refused to add their voices, reluctant to take part in the controversial debate.

Watada, currently stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, did his best to explain the process he went

through before coming to his decision. With his family and supporters, Watada released a pre-recorded statement at simultaneous press conferences in Tacoma, Washington and Honolulu on June 7. He was not permitted to attend the nearby Tacoma conference in person by his superiors.

His thoughts: "I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to 'stay the course.' ... I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression. I wanted to be there for my fellow troops. But the best way was not to help drop artillery and cause more death and destruction. It is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home."

Shortly after this statement was released, Watada's commanding officer moved to prosecute the first lieutenant for protected speech, starting an official investigation of his public opposition to the Iraq War.

Watada, a member of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the Army's first Stryker Brigade Combat Team, wants the United States to withdraw troops immediately. He is not against all wars but believes the three-year Iraq War is illegal and unjustified. His decision has the support of his father, Bob Watada of Hawaii Kai, a former executive director of Hawaii's campaign spending commission, and his mother Carolyn Ho of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

David Masuo of Alaska, a former Vietnam War veteran, does not agree with Watada's decision. "As a military member who is serving his country, in my belief, he is wrong. He has sworn his allegiance and loyalty to the United States of America and is disobeying a direct order by his Commander in Chief by not going to Iraq ... For the good of the unit, service and country, Lt. Watada should not disobey his deployment order," he said.

"We feel it is wrong," said Bob Wada, charter president of the Japanese American Korean War Veterans (JAKWV). "He took an oath and he has to obey that. You don't decide for the government what war we are going to fight for. We went to Korea and we didn't know why we were there."

But others were more sympathetic about Watada's stance against the war.

"I support his decision about not going to Iraq even though my husband went and I know that many of the people who go do not believe in the Iraq War," said Jennifer Akiko Reven, 22, whose husband is currently stationed at Fort Brag, North Carolina. "He is being very brave by coming out publicly on his stand, I admire him for that and I support his decision for I don't agree with the war either."

"I say props to this guy for standing up for what he believes in, but he also needs to be ready to face the consequences of his actions," said Phil Yu, creator of the Angry Asian Man Web site, a popular blog on all things Asian American.

Watada entered the U.S. Army in 2003 shortly after graduating from Hawaii Pacific University and comes from a family who has seen a number of its members join the military. His first deployment was to Korea and upon his return he was notified that he would soon be heading to Iraq. In January, after months of soul-searching, he informed his superiors of his intention to resign. He later filed a formal application to resign but both requests were eventually denied. Watada has now informed his superiors that he will refuse deployment to Iraq.

Watada's decision will likely lead to a court martial and jail time unless he is allowed to resign or is reassigned to duties not connected to the war in Iraq. He is obligated to serve his three-year term which ends on Dec. 3, 2006. At this time he is being represented by attorney Eric A. Seitz.

Recent polls have indicated that many Americans, like Watada, no longer support the war in Iraq. A Harris Interactive poll from mid-May shows that 61 percent are not confident that U.S. policies in Iraq will be successful versus 22 percent who are confident. A recent Zogby poll also showed that over 70 percent of people in the military want to withdraw from Iraq by the end of this year.

Many JA newspapers, including this one, have written extensively on the heroic accomplishments of the segregated WWII units: the 442nd Regiment, the 100th Battalion, and the MIS. Opinions varied on what kind of impact Watada's decision will have on the JA community and the accomplishments of its WWII heroes.

"I think that his decision will have a limited impact on the JA community as a whole. I would hope that other Americans would see that he is expressing his personal stance on a political issue and that he is not alone," said Reven. "Our nation is already very split on the war."

"As for his decision affecting the JAs and APA communities, I don't think it will reflect upon those who have served in the past. He is but one person, and not many are standing with him," said Masuo.

"He is bringing shame to the JAs," said Wada, noting that many of the WWII vets volunteered while their families were imprisoned in internment camp. "The guys that were killed in action ... they must be turning over in their graves that a JA is refusing to go to war."

Many of the JA WWII veterans associations contacted for this article either declined or did not return calls requesting a statement. Some indicated that they were hesitant to get involved with the issue.

But those who did speak out believe this is an issue JAs must talk about, especially when one of their own has come out to take a controversial stand.

"JAs should speak out about this topic because the war in Iraq impacts all of us ... I know that if we spoke up we would be heard," said Reven.

And perhaps the conversations have begun to take place. The JACL PNW district, specifically the Olympia, Washington chapter, is working on an emergency resolution that hopes to keep racial aspects out of the current debates surrounding Watada for the upcoming national convention in Arizona.