 |
Karl Robin BendetsenAn American military leader best known as the "architect" of the internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II.
Date of Birth: 11.10.1907
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Carl Bendetsen: The Architect of Japanese American Internment
- Role in Japanese American Internment Planning
- Implementation of Internment
- Controversy and Legacy
Carl Bendetsen: The Architect of Japanese American Internment
Early Life and Military CareerCarl Bendetsen initially enlisted in the Washington National Guard at the age of 14, despite being under the minimum age. He later graduated from Officer Candidate School and attained the rank of Captain in the Army Reserve.
Role in Japanese American Internment Planning
In 1941, Major Bendetsen served in the office of the Judge Advocate General, Major General Allen W. Gullion. Sent to Hawaii, he assessed the threat posed by potential enemy nationals in case of war. Concerned about potential biases in favor of "good Americans" (a euphemism for white Americans), he recommended interning all Americans of Japanese ancestry, regardless of nativity.
In December 1941, following the Pearl Harbor attack, Bendetsen drafted a plan for the internment of Japanese Americans from the West Coast and southern Arizona. He successfully persuaded Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt to adopt this plan.
Implementation of Internment
Bendetsen's plan resulted in the designation of "Exclusion Zones" from which all Japanese Americans, both immigrants and citizens, were forcibly removed. Initially, only coastal areas were affected, leading some Japanese Americans to relocate voluntarily to inland areas. However, the government later prohibited them from leaving their designated zones.
Controversy and Legacy
Despite Bendetsen's claims of military necessity, intelligence reports indicated that the vast majority of Japanese Americans posed no threat. The internment of innocent citizens remains a controversial chapter in American history, with lingering debates about its legality and long-term impact.
