Jerry Enomoto was raised in San Francisco, California. Jerry was attending Lowell College Preparatory High School at the time President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and subsequently, signed Executive Order 9066. With Jerry’s father in Japan, Jerry became the man in the family for his mother and sister during their confinement at Tule Lake relocation Center. Jerry had a lengthy and most distinguished career in law enforcement. In 1994, he became the first Asian American to receive a presidential appointment as a United States Marshall. In addition, Jerry is married to Dr. Dorothy Stevens Enomoto, the first African American woman to manage a California Department of Corrections Institution.
Video Timeline
Note: To listen to a specific clip, move the slider on the video to the designated clip time listed below.
00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Clip 1
Curfew. Executive Order 9066 preparation: gather all you can carry. Executive Order 9066 led to temporary housing at the race track.
02:40 – Clip 2
Physical description of Tule Lake Relocation Center. Jerry’s Family: “I was the man of the family.”
04:54 – Clip 3
Redress Bill of 1988 and JACL. Why was Redress Bill successful? Jerry’s role in JACL Ed. Committee.
09:41 – Clip 4
Similarities to Japanese internment and today.
10:39 – Clip 5
Greatest challenge Jerry faced. Growing up faster than normal.
12:06 – Clip 6
Jerry describes cultural self-esteem and confidence.
Photo Gallery
Primary source images to accompany Jerry Enomoto’s story. Images provided by Jerry Enomoto – Elk Grove Unified School District
In Memoriam
We are saddened to share that Jerry passed away on January 17, 2016. – View our TOR Talks tribute post.
It was an honor to interview Jerry for our Time of Remembrance project. We encourage you to listen to and be inspired by his story of courage and resilience.