1 00:00:00,00 --> 00:00:05,39 So now so we're get started again. And so where I want to pick this up is to start 2 00:00:05,39 --> 00:00:12,33 talking about your military service and so can you describe. How you first got 3 00:00:13,02 --> 00:00:19,61 interested in joining the military and perhaps the start of the story when when the 4 00:00:20,37 --> 00:00:26,71 military started the draft again. They came out with a loyalty oath or low-Z. 5 00:00:26,71 --> 00:00:31,88 Questionnaire. So can you tell me that the story about how you first saw the 6 00:00:31,88 --> 00:00:38,21 loyalty question yeah. Well let me start from when I 7 00:00:38,21 --> 00:00:44,94 registered. I had three brothers of military age. 8 00:00:45,57 --> 00:00:52,26 And they are all registered in California and I want the only one that was not of 9 00:00:52,26 --> 00:00:59,13 age to register in California and therefore would I had to register in saying 10 00:00:59,13 --> 00:01:05,53 that ne and. When I when I turned eight. I turned eighteen 11 00:01:07,60 --> 00:01:14,46 in June of forty two when. When we were in Idaho. So I 12 00:01:14,46 --> 00:01:19,26 had to register there and and. 13 00:01:22,80 --> 00:01:25,14 I don't know what month I register but in 14 00:01:25,14 --> 00:01:32,14 a way in your underwear or February. 15 00:01:33,01 --> 00:01:38,63 Up to then. We were classified and to me Alien for C.N.N. 16 00:01:39,46 --> 00:01:45,41 And couldn't get Dr to do even. Even if I did register. So 17 00:01:46,80 --> 00:01:52,57 in January or or February of forty. Early. Yeah in 18 00:01:52,57 --> 00:01:59,47 a way forty three. President Roosevelt said Well all you. Knew 19 00:01:59,47 --> 00:02:06,07 stays from how why and they 20 00:02:06,07 --> 00:02:11,47 enter Mencap. Can volunteer for 21 00:02:11,47 --> 00:02:17,51 a Japanese American fighting unit and that included me 22 00:02:18,40 --> 00:02:24,93 because I was of military age. And so I 23 00:02:28,89 --> 00:02:35,05 think it was in right after President Roosevelt said that we can volunteer 24 00:02:36,05 --> 00:02:40,61 then the W R A sent out. Somebody with 25 00:02:40,61 --> 00:02:46,12 a questionnaire and I was sorting spuds and 26 00:02:47,78 --> 00:02:54,26 he said Now often come outside with me. So I went outside in. And he said here's 27 00:02:54,26 --> 00:03:00,47 a questionnaire and I didn't know at that time that same questionnaire 28 00:03:01,31 --> 00:03:07,53 was also. Being given to the inter neat and 29 00:03:08,30 --> 00:03:15,16 Cam. I don't know if the boys were on how why I had to sign the questionnaire. 30 00:03:15,72 --> 00:03:22,65 But anyway. He handed me this questionnaire and I went right down the list. Yes 31 00:03:22,65 --> 00:03:29,42 yes yes yes yes. And I don't know which. Question. 32 00:03:29,94 --> 00:03:36,22 It was but once asked me if I wanted to join the 33 00:03:37,42 --> 00:03:43,97 service and fight for the United States. And I think I was reluctant 34 00:03:43,97 --> 00:03:50,84 we went ahead and put us on by but the next question. It. Asked. 35 00:03:51,85 --> 00:03:58,75 Will you forswear your allegiance to the Japanese government 36 00:03:58,75 --> 00:04:05,37 know what. However it was. Were good but anyway I said 37 00:04:05,37 --> 00:04:07,38 wow. This was 38 00:04:07,38 --> 00:04:14,30 a trick question too for that guy do. Take me and in into 39 00:04:14,30 --> 00:04:20,74 camp or whoever. And I said in my mind this guy's just trying to 40 00:04:23,16 --> 00:04:29,56 drag me into camp saw. I told him hey I can answer this question because 41 00:04:30,36 --> 00:04:36,97 if I put down. Yes that means that you think I'm loyal 42 00:04:36,97 --> 00:04:43,87 to Japan and you did and and then. And I talk to myself 43 00:04:45,02 --> 00:04:46,48 . He's going to take B. 44 00:04:46,48 --> 00:04:53,36 And ship me to Japan or whatever and so I said. I don't think I'll sign that 45 00:04:53,36 --> 00:04:59,04 and without another word he said I'm taking you in 46 00:05:00,01 --> 00:05:06,73 and by then one hundred twenty thousand were already and camp and I says I don't 47 00:05:06,73 --> 00:05:12,03 want to go to camp. I said to myself I don't want to go to camp and so I 48 00:05:13,24 --> 00:05:20,21 reluctantly without saying another word. OK Are all answer that question and I 49 00:05:20,21 --> 00:05:26,47 put down. Yes and he didn't say anything and 50 00:05:29,37 --> 00:05:35,34 then I went on to the rest of the questions to answer and I put down yes yes. So I 51 00:05:35,34 --> 00:05:42,20 had to do everything. Yes And the guy left so I think I did I figured. 52 00:05:42,66 --> 00:05:48,81 I did the right thing you know because he could have just. OK commit to camp right 53 00:05:48,81 --> 00:05:54,59 then and there by not answering that one question but but I want to be clear about 54 00:05:54,59 --> 00:06:01,34 this but so he says he threatened you to yeah. To put you in camp. 55 00:06:01,37 --> 00:06:08,12 If you had said no to the. You were you for swear allegiance to Japan or 56 00:06:08,83 --> 00:06:15,43 . Yeah it's so and so's because of that threat. You decided just to put what you 57 00:06:15,43 --> 00:06:20,87 thought he wanted you to put down for us so I took my chance on putting down yes 58 00:06:20,87 --> 00:06:27,19 then and after I put down yesterday and finished. The questionnaire he left without 59 00:06:27,19 --> 00:06:30,63 saying anything so so I think I did the right thing.