Ralph Lazo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Lazo
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Ralph Lazo in a group photo at Manzanar
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| Born | November 3, 1924 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | January 1, 1992 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles California State University, Northridge |
| Occupation | Teacher, soldier |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards |  Bronze Star |
Ralph Lazo (born November 3, 1924 – died January 1, 1992) was an American hero. He is known for a brave act during World War II. He was the only non-Japanese American person who chose to go to a Japanese American internment camp. These camps were places where Japanese Americans were forced to live during the war. Ralph believed this was wrong and stood up for his friends. His story shows how one person can make a big difference.
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Ralph Lazo's Early Life
Ralph Lazo was born in Los Angeles, California. His birthday was November 3, 1924. He came from a Mexican-American and Irish American family. His mother passed away when he and his sister were young. Their father raised them, working as a painter.
Standing Up for Justice
When Ralph was 17, he was a student at Belmont High School. He learned that his Japanese American friends and neighbors were being forced to leave their homes. They were sent to special camps as part of the Japanese American Internment. This happened during World War II.
Ralph felt this was very unfair. He was so upset that he decided to join his friends. In May 1942, he got on a train with hundreds of others. This train took them to the Manzanar internment camp. Officials at Manzanar never asked about his family background.
Ralph later told the Los Angeles Times newspaper that "Internment was immoral." He said, "It was wrong, and I couldn't accept it." He felt that his friends had done nothing wrong. Their only difference was going to Japanese language school.
Life Inside Manzanar
While at the camp, Ralph continued his schooling. He also spent time helping and entertaining orphaned children. These children had also been forced to move to Manzanar. In 1944, Ralph was elected president of his class at Manzanar High School.
He stayed at the camp even after graduating. He remained there until August 1944.
Serving His Country
In August 1944, Ralph Lazo joined the US Army. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the South Pacific. He helped free the Philippines from enemy control. Ralph served until 1946. He was given the Bronze Star for his bravery in battle. This medal is given for heroic actions.
His life story, especially his stand against the internment, is shown in the film Stand Up for Justice: The Ralph Lazo Story.
Life After the War
After the war, Ralph Lazo returned to Los Angeles. He went to college at the UCLA. He earned a degree in sociology. Later, he got a master's degree in education from Cal State Northridge.
Ralph spent his career as a teacher. He helped students with disabilities. He also encouraged Hispanic students to go to college and to vote.
Fighting for Justice Again
Ralph Lazo also helped raise money for a class-action lawsuit. This lawsuit aimed to get reparations for Japanese Americans. Reparations are payments made to make up for past wrongs. This lawsuit was for those who were held in the internment camps.
This effort led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This law offered an apology from the U.S. government to Japanese Americans. It also stated that the internment was based on "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."
Ralph Lazo passed away in 1992. He was 67 years old.
Images for kids
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Ralph Lazo in a group photo at Manzanar
