Densho Digital Archive - Nelson Takeo Akagi Interview (denshovh-anelson-01-0015)

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TI: So Nelson, we're gonna get started again. And so where I want to pick this up is to start talking about your military service. And so can you describe how you first got interested in joining the military? And perhaps starting with the story when the military started the draft again, they came out with a "loyalty oath," or a "loyalty questionnaire." So can you tell me the story about how you first saw the "loyalty questionnaire?"

NA: Well, let me start from when I registered. I had three brothers of military age, and they all registered in California. And I was the only one that was not of age to register in California, therefore I had to register in St. Anthony. And when I, I turned eighteen in June of '42 when we were in Idaho, so I had to register there. And I don't know what month I registered, but anyway, in January or February, up to then, we were classified "enemy alien," 4-C, and couldn't get drafted even, even if I did register. So in January or February of early, January of '43, President Roosevelt said, "Well, all you Niseis from Hawaii and the internment camp can volunteer for a Japanese American fighting unit." And that included me because I was of military age.

And so I think it was in, right after President Roosevelt said that we can volunteer, then the WRA sent out somebody with a questionnaire. And I was sorting spuds, and he said, "Nelson, come outside with me." So I went outside, and he said, "Here's a questionnaire." And I didn't know at that time that same questionnaire was also being given to the internees in the camp. I don't know if the boys from Hawaii had to sign the questionnaire, but anyway, he handed me this questionnaire and I went right down the list, "Yes, yes, yes, yes," and I don't know which question it was, but one asked me if I wanted to join the service and fight for the United States. And I think I reluctantly went ahead and put "yes" on that, but the next question, it asked, "Will you forswear your allegiance to the Japanese government?" or however it was worded. But anyway, I said, "Wow, this is a trick question to, for that guy to take me in, into camp or wherever." And I said, in my mind, "This guy is just trying to drag me into camp." So I told him, "Hey, I can't answer this question because if I put down 'yes,' that means that you think I'm loyal to Japan and you'll take..." and then, and I thought to myself, "He's gonna take me in and ship me to Japan or whatever." And so I said, "I don't think I'll sign that." And without another word, he said, "I'm taking you in," and by then, 120,000 were already in camp. And I says, "I don't want to go to camp," I said to myself, "I don't want to go to camp." And so I reluctantly, without saying another word, "Okay, I'll answer that question," and I put down "yes." And he didn't say anything. And then I went on to the rest of the questions to answer, and I put down "yes-yes," so I answered everything "yes," and the guy left. So I think I, I figured I did the right thing, 'cause he could have just taken me to camp right then and there, by not answering that one question.

TI: But I want to be clear about this. So he, he essentially threatened you to put --

NA: Oh, he threatened, yes.

TI: -- you in camp if you had said "no" to the, "Will you forswear allegiance to Japan?" So, and so it was because of that threat you decided just to, to put what you thought he wanted you to put down, or "yes."

NA: Uh-huh. So I took my chance on putting down "yes," and after I put down "yes" and then finished the questionnaire, he left without saying anything. So I think I did the right thing.