Yuki Akaki Collection

Dublin Core

Title

Creator

Akaki, Yuki: creator

Akaki, Bob: donor

Description

This collection contains letters and photographs from Yuki Akaki's time serving with the 522nd Field Artillery in World War II. The letters are from Yuki Akaki to his sister Miss Hatsume Akaki. Akaki writes from Camp Shelby in Mississippi, from Italy while engaged in combat, from France and from Post-war Germany. Much of the Akaki's letters request familiar food and items from his sister. Hatsume was incarcerated at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp in Colorado. Other topics include family members including siblings' scouting trips for resettlement after incarceration, emotional impact of combat and leisure and social experiences such as travel, films and reading. The photographs depict Akaki's time in the war with some present day photographs as well.

Format

JPEG, PDF

Extent

Language

eng

Date

1944-2011

Source

Go For Broke National Education Center

Identifier

2015.019

Items in the Yuki Akaki Collection Collection

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Private, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, July 19, 1943

Akaki describes his new training regiment with longer and more strenuous exercises. He writes about a check for Hatsume Akaki to cash. At the end of the letter, he writes about a dance held by the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. Letter was started…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Private, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, August 26, 1943

Akaki writes to his sister from Camp Shelby about the wedding he attended, his time spent with his friend Tsugime, and about his friend Terry Adamiya who was sent to Camp Savage. He also writes of the field and physical tests that he had to complete…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, May 1944

Akaki writes of his time aboard a ship heading overseas to a classified location. He describes life aboard the ship including food quality. He asks if she received his broken watch so that she could take it in for repairs.

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, May 31, 1944

Akaki writes from “Somewhere in Italy” – he is not allowed to disclose their location due to military regulation. He describes the weather in Italy, and about the Italian natives who try to barter with the American soldiers for cigarettes and…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, June 12, 1944

In this letter to his sister Hatsume, Akaki writes that he and his company had arrived safely in Italy. He complains about the insects there, saying they are worse than those in Mississippi.

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, June 18, 1944

Akaki thanks his sister for new underclothes and socks. He describes everyday activities including formal retreats and evening shows. He describes washing clothes and bathing using his helmet. He describes his first time swimming in salt water and…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, July 7, 1944

Akaki writes to his sister Hatsume about his site-seeing in Italy. He described the different places that he visited and the famous architecture he saw. He asks if the camp is going to do anything for Fourth of July (Independence Day)- he hopes to be…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, July 11, 1944

Akaki writes what happened the previous day in Italy: he had his picture taken by the Army Picture Service; what the weather was like; and he ate rice for the first time since leaving the states. He writes about his financial earnings, and about the…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, July 17, 1944

In this letter to his sister, Akaki writes about losing track of the days while in Italy. He tells her that it is a good idea that she and their family move elsewhere to start anew. He continues to complain about the bugs and the misery of their…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, August 1944

Akaki wrote this letter to his sister during one of his shifts on duty in Italy. He wishes his sister luck in moving to Detroit. He goes on to discuss the feelings he gets whenever one of his friends dies in combat. He also writes about how he craves…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, September 13, 1944

In this letter to his sister, Akaki breaks the news of his promotion to Technical Sergeant. There was a little ceremony, in which some of the men received Silver Stars and other recognitions. Akaki expresses his pride in his promotion. He also asks…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, October 6, 1944

Written to his sister from somewhere in France, Akaki describes his impressions of France in comparison to Italy. He tells her of the places he went to visit. He writes that although the weather is harsher, he prefers France to Italy.

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, October 22, 1944

Akaki describes the surrounding area of France and its harsh, rainy weather. He writes that the views in France are more appealing than those he experienced in Italy. He comments on slow mail service, and hopes to receive mail soon so that he can…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, October 25, 1944

Akaki writes this letter not too long after his previous letter to his sister dated October 22, 1944. He finally received the mail that he had been waiting for. He mentions to his sister that he has been corresponding with their younger brother. He…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, November 8, 1944

Akaki thanks his sister for sending him a pocket knife, asks about her friend Peter, and tells her about the faulty mail system. He continues on to talk about the first fall of snow in France and about the surrounding trees in the area. At the end of…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, November 30, 1944

Akaki apologizes to his sister for not writing sooner – he had been waiting for her permanent address. His brother is getting drafted and only has a few months left to spend at home. He writes that he sent packages home for his family and Tsugime,…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, December 5, 1944

In this short letter to his sister, Akaki wishes his sister a Merry Christmas. In light of the holiday spirits, he hopes that there will soon be “Peace on Earth” and that the war will be over by next Christmas so he can be home with his loved ones.

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, December 8, 1944

Akaki tells his sister, Hatsume, that he was writing this letter next to a warm stove and electric lights, and was enjoying the luxury of sleeping on a comfortable cot at night. He writes that he received another package of goods (soap, handkerchief,…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, December 18, 1944

Akaki begins this letter to his sister talking about Christmas spirit and how it has been lacking in the front lines. He had received more Christmas packages from people back home since his last letter. He writes that he still wants his family to…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, January 3, 1945

Akaki writes this letter a day after New Year’s Day. He describes what he did for the holidays, about the Red Cross girls, what he received for Christmas, and what he did to celebrate the New Year. He inquires about events at Granada (Amache)…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, January 22, 1945

Akaki received his back-mail the previous day, so he wrote this letter in response to the most recent letter from his sister Hatsume. He asks her if she could send over some Japanese food essentials (rice, soy sauce, etc.) in his next care package.…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, February 11, 1945

In this letter to his sister, Akaki writes that he is glad to hear that she received the perfume he sent to her, as well as the news that his family was planning to move to St. Paul. He goes on to talk more about the camera that he asked to be sent…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, February 14, 1945

This letter was written on Valentine’s Day when Akaki was “somewhere in France.” He writes about his mail, writing a letter to his parents, chopping wood, and catching up with an old friend from home. He writes that another movie was being played…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, March 11, 1945

Akaki writes this letter to his sister from Germany. He describes the area that he is currently residing, about his bad case of sunburn on his face, and asks for an update about how everything has been at home. He writes that spring is arriving due…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, April 2, 1945

In this letter, Akaki apologizes for not writing as often since being in Germany. He writes about Easter Sunday, the houses they are occupying in Germany, and about the women there. He complains about eating K rations, but eating off of the land…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, April 11, 1945

Akaki updates his sister about his time in Germany. Since being in Germany, he has had the luxury of bathing in hot water - instead of taking cold baths using only his helmet. He mentions hearing from his younger brother, who has taken up some bad…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, May 24, 1945

Since the war had ended in Europe, Akaki writes to his sister about the work he has been doing in the occupied military areas in Germany. His time has been spent in basic training, travels to some of Germany’s cities, and movie watching. He received…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, June 4, 1945

Akaki writes that he has not had much to do since the fighting ended in Europe. He went on a trip to see Adolf Hitler’s "hideout", and went swimming for the first time since his arrived in Italy. He writes that he has been considering applying to the…

Letter from Yuki Akaki, Technical Sergeant, United States Army, to Miss Hatsume Akaki, June 25, 1945

Akaki writes this letter to his sister about his latest excursion to Brenner Pass, stopping at different cities along the way. Some of these cities included Oberammergau, where they have the Passion Plays, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, home of the 1936…

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