Today we honor Victor and John “Johnny” Akimoto who both gave their lives fighting for a country they believed in. Originally from Idaho Falls Idaho, the Akimoto Family relocated to Los Angeles California in 1928. The Akimoto children -four boys and four girls- all excelled in academics and sports. Life was good for the Akimoto Family until the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
According to the Silent Heroes Project: “Victor Akimoto enlisted in the US Army on January 27, 1942. He was initially assigned to Fort Warren, Wyoming for basic training where he learned how to drive military trucks. In January 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the formation of an all Japanese-American unit. Akimoto jumped at the opportunity. Before transferring to Camp Shelby, Mississippi to join the 100th Battalion from Hawaii and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Akimoto was promoted and earned his Sergeant’s stripes.”
“In February 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. The government relocated the Akimoto family to the Santa Anita Race Track Civilian Assembly Center. The family used their Idaho connections to become farm laborers in the sugar beet fields near Lincoln, Idaho. Later, Johnny Akimoto and then his parents moved to the Amache Internment Camp in Colorado. On April 7, 1943, Johnny Akimoto was one of the first two volunteers for the 100th Infantry Battalion from the Amache Internment Camp. Brothers Victor, Johnny and Ted met up at Camp Shelby. John was the only brother initially set to be shipped overseas for combat. Immediately Sergeant Victor Akimoto asked for a demotion in rank so he could join his brother. The request was granted. Private Victor Akimoto was on his way to Italy.”
“Near Biffontaine, the Germans had surrounded members of the 141st Infantry Regiment, a unit mostly from Texas, for nearly a week. Victor’s regiment made several attempts to help rescue this “Lost Battalion” before the regiment finally succeeded. This was one of the most costly battles undertaken by the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team. The Germans captured Victor Akimoto on October 24, 1944, and he eventually died of his injuries at the Bad Orb Prisoner of War Camp Hospital in Germany on December 14, 1944. Victor was 26 years old at the time of his passing. Victor was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, three Presidential Unit Citations/Distinguished Unit Badge, Expert Marksman Badge, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and a Victory Medal.”
“Private First Class John Akimoto was a veteran of the Battle of Anzio and the Rome to Arno Campaign in Italy. On August 2, 1944 John passed away from illness at the age of 19 years old. John was the recipient of the Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.”
The Akimoto Brothers’ contributions helped the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team receive over 18,000 individual decorations making them the most decorated unit in US military history.
Victor and Johnny remain in rest next to each other at the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint-Avold, France. Lest We Forget.
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