Title:
Letter from Paul H. [Kusuda] to [Afton] Nance, 1943, Feb 25
Creator:
Kusuda, Paul H., 1922-
Subject:
"Nance, Afton Dill "
Japanese Americans-- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
Description:
Handwritten letter from Paul H. [Kusuda] to [Afton] Nance, 1943, Feb 25.
32 --- 3 ----3 Manzanar Relocation Area Manzanar, California February 25, 1943 Dear
Mrs. Nance, The Current History magazine finally arrived today. I’ve glanced through it and the magazine appears to be
fairly good. It’s just about the size of a Reader’s Digest. By the way, two copies — that of January and February, 1943
— arrived simultaneously. Thank you! After considering the matter a little, I see that there is no sense in beating around
the bush. I may as well tell you that some time ago, I volunteered for the Combat Team. I haven’t told anyone about this
except three in our family. Today, I am writing to the Richardsons to let them know also. In addition, today, I notified
my boss, Mr. Charles K. Ferguson, Head of Adult Education. Not even my co-workers know what I have done. I intend to keep
it all a secret until after I am out of Manzanar. Whether or not I shall be accepted only God knows, and He isn’t saying.
Induction will take place in Salt Lake City. If I should be refused, I shall be stranded there without financial means except
about 10 or 15 dollars. You see — I might not be accepted because of the poor condition of my teeth. As you know, I have
the fear of being caught without funds. I wonder if you could help me cast aside that fear by lending me about twenty-five
dollars. Of course, I have no security, but I promise to repay any amount you lend me as soon as I can. Asking for money
is one thing which I do not savor doing, but in this case, necessity forces me to do something which I detest. I hope that
you see what I mean. Being financially insecure is a terrible feeling. If I am accepted in the U.S. Army, I shall not have
to worry about funds. If I am not accepted, I shall be up a tree. According to the Manzanar Free Press, induction will
begin on March 1. I don’t know when I shall leave Manzanar, but no doubt it will be within the next month. This question
of volunteering was a tough one for me. As soon as I told my parents, a hush fell — that was about 10 pm — after I returned
home from my shorthand class. My mother cried all night. What a terrible experience for me. How I dread leaving my parents.
My father was calm & quiet. I wonder how they will react to my actually leaving the Center. I wish it were over with.
Well, I signed my death warrant. Maybe I made a mistake; maybe, I did not. Only time will tell. In the meantime, please
write back. Sincerely, Paul H. PS. Thanks for the New Yorkers and Time Magazines. They arrived
yesterday. As to the portfolio — I haven’t started yet, but I shall soon, I hope! -PK
Publisher:
Japanese American National Museum
Date:
1943 February 25
Type:
text;
Format:
1 item ( 2 p. letter) ; sheet 27 x 20 cm.
Identifier:
JANM_028
2001.175.43
ark:/13030/tf000007c3
Language:
eng
Relation:
Coverage:
Manzanar (Calif.);
Rights:
Copyrighted;
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki
National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org).
Japanese American National Museum
Letter from Paul H. [Kusuda] to [Afton] Nance, 1943, Feb 25