W. Eugene Dimon

Biography

In 1942, the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona was converted into a temporary detention camp for persons of Japanese descent until they were transported to war relocation centers. The Pomona Assembly Center received 5,514 persons between May 7 and August 24, 1942; the maximum population at one time was 5,434. The majority of the detainees were from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

W. Eugene "Buck" Dimon served as the Recreation Director at the Pomona Assembly Center and was well-revered by the Japanese for his efforts to provide them with additional accommodations and services during their interim at the center. Dimon contacted local churches, schools, organizations, and the Pomona Public Library to donate used goods to the Assembly Center. His mother, Mrs. Eugene Dimon, was also noted for her kindness towards the Japanese detainees.

The majority of the detainees at the Pomona Assembly Center were transferred to the Heart Mountain War Relocation Center in Wyoming in August 1942.