Japanese American Veterans Association JAVA ADVOCATE

June 2010 Volume XVIII—Issue 2 President signs Nisei Congressional Gold Medal bill Inside this issue: into law; NVN plans 2 days festivities in DC

[Courtesy of National Veterans Network] minute historic event. The presentation ceremony is expected to be held in the Sum- President’s Message 2 White House, Washington, DC. On October mer or Fall of 2011 in Washington, DC. 5, 2010, President Barack Obama signed At the signing ceremony, the President into law the Congressional bill to award the greeted each veteran and other officials at Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the Oval Office door and were ushered to COL Kim takes command 3 the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regi- stand behind the President's chair. They mental Combat Team, and Nisei who Minister Shinoda luncheon were veterans Osamu “Sam” Fujikawa served in the Military Intelligence Service (100th), Jimmie Kanaya (442), Grant Ichi- during World War II. There will be one JAVA reps at US Army Ball 4 kawa (MIS), Terry Shima (442), Kelly Ku- medal for the men of all three units. Fol- wayama (442), and Senator lowing the presentation, the Medal will Highlights from DVA (442nd). They were joined by Congressman be retrieved and archived at the Smith- Adam Schiff, Congresswoman , sonian Museum. Individuals may purchase Saul’s Ellis Island exhibit 5 Congressman Charles Djou, Congressman replica in bronze of the Medal from the US Michael Honda, National Director of JACL Mint at an approximate cost of $50. Six Thank you donors Floyd Mori, Chairperson of the National Nisei WWII veterans and other officials [continued on page 3] participated in the approximately 30- Meet the Generals, Admirals 6

JAVA scholarships awarded 7

Veterans Day breakfast at White House in 2009

Taps 8

From the Editor 9

Membership application

JAVA Committee Information 10

Welcome new members

Above: Observing the President sign the Nisei Congressional Gold Medal Bill into law, are (L-R) Osamu Fujikawa, Grant Ichikawa, Lynn Kanaya, Jimmie Kanaya, Floyd Mori, behind Mori is Chris- tine Sato Yamazaki, Terry Shima, Kelly Kuwayama, Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Daniel Inouye, Congressman Bob Filner, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Congressman Djou, Congressman Michael Honda, and Secretary Eric Shinseki. (White House photo) PAGE 2 JAVA ADVOCATE JUNE 2010

tary of Transportation Norman Mineta, convention in Kansas City, MO for President’s Message Honorary Chair of JAVA, for the unveil- special recognition of the 442nd RCT. It should be noted ing of his portrait, a canvas oil painting that was entered into the Smithsonian that this edition of Speakers Bureau was invited to National Portrait Gallery permanent the ADVOCATE is schools, government entities and collection portraits. being published in community organizations. Superin- Iraq. It probably has I am pleased to report that the visibility tendent of Public Schools of Mont- the distinction of be- of JAVA, the 442nd RCT, and Japanese gomery County, MD sent a letter to ing the only veterans American veterans was greatly en- me expressing appreciation for newsletter published hanced during the reporting period, for JAVA’s education program. in the war zone. I wish to offer JAVA's example: thanks to editor MAJ Kay Wakatake. We were sad to lose two JAVA stal-

warts, Mrs. Maude Shirey, wife of Curator Eric Saul’s exhibit, GO FOR On October 5, 2010, President Barack Major Orville Shirey, G-2 and Histo- BROKE: Japanese American Soldiers Obama signed into law the bill to rian of the 442nd, and Mr. Joe Fighting on Two Fronts, opened at Ellis award the Congressional Gold Medal Ichiuji, an active member of the Island Immigration Museum. National collectively to the 100th Battalion, Speakers Bureau and the NARA Park Service estimates some 7,000 peo- 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Digitization Project. I wish to thank ple visit the Museum daily during the Team (RCT) and Nisei who served in JAVA members and friends for warm months. the Military Intelligence Service contributing to the Ichiuji and (MIS) in WWII. Of particular signifi- The White House invited a JAVA repre- Shirey scholarship funds as well as cance is the fact that Congress ac- sentative to the Asian Pacific Islands donating to the Millie Ichikawa cepted the recommendation of the Heritage Month reception when Presi- NARA Digitization Fund. National Veterans Network (NVN) to dent Obama recognized the heroism of include an amendment to recognize —Bob Nakamoto the 442nd RCT; Vic Matsui was invited the MIS. to speak at Fort Eustis, VA about the Honorary Chairs internment, 442nd and MIS. I wish to congratulate Christine Sato Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senate Yamazaki, chairperson of NVN, for Grant Ichikawa and Terry Shima were Senator Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senate her leadership in getting the MIS in- The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta cluded and 57 senators to sign as co- invited to the US Army Birthday Ball to Barney Hajiro, Medal of Honor sponsors of the Senate Bill. This was offer the toast to the Commander in truly a team effort of 22 Japanese Chief; over 1,000 attended the Ball. Hershey H. Miyamura, Medal of Honor American veterans organizations and George Joe Sakato, Medal of Honor entities, the 36th Division veterans, JAVA participated in the annual Me- the survivors of the trapped Texas morial Day Parade down Constitution Officers Battalion and their children, and a Avenue where 300,000 connected with Robert Nakamoto, President cross-section of America. the 442nd and MIS; JAVA representa- Bruce Hollywood, Col, USAF (Ret), tive was invited to the NAACP annual Vice President Congratulations also to former Secre- Secretary -- Vacant Earl Takeguchi, LTC, USA (Ret), Treasurer Left: AUBURN, Calif. — Robert Nakamoto, JAVA Board of Directors President, was the key- Above Officers plus: note speaker at a gather- William Houston, ing of three northern Cali- Deputy Executive Director fornia JACL chapters, in- Grant Ichikawa cluding Placer County, on Bert Mizusawa, BG, USAR June 24, 2010. He dis- Mark Nakagawa, LTC, USA cussed the role of the Calvin Ninomiya 100th Battalion, 442nd Terry Shima, Executive Director Regimental Combat Team Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA and the Military Intelli- Alan Ueoka, LTC, USA gence during WWII and Gerald Yamada, General Counsel the impact of that experi- Reuben Yoshikawa ence on future generations of . JAVA ADVOCATE (Photo by Laurie Naka- Akio Konoshima, Editor Emeritus moto) Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA, Editor Janelle Kuroda, LT, USN, Assistant Editor JUNE 2010 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 3

COL Kim takes command of 3rd BCT at Schofield Barracks by Gregg K. Kakasako, Star Bulletin

[Reprinted with permission from Honolulu Star Bulletin] Pacific, except for his last assignment in South Korea with U.S. Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command. Sev- HONOLULU, —Colonel Richard C. Kim returned eral of Kim's classmates from the UH class of 1988 at- home after 22 years to assume command of the 3500- tended the Schofield Barracks ceremony and said they member 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Schofield Barracks always suspected that he would end up as an Army career as it prepares for its fourth wartime deployment, to Af- officer. Allen Yim, who left the Army after 10 years, de- ghanistan next spring. The 25th Infantry Division unit scribed Kim as "the guy who was the most determined," has been to Iraq twice - in August 2006 and October 2008 adding, "He was born to be an infantry officer." - and Afghanistan in April 2004. Kim's military service has included assignments to the 2nd Kim, 45, said his brigade has just completed being re- Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division and 75th equipped after spending a year in northern Iraq in Ranger Regiment, and staff assignments in South Korea. Kirkuk and Salah ad Din provinces last year. He told He also has completed several combat deployments to Af- reporters that his soldiers face nearly a year of “robust ghanistan and Iraq, the latest being in January 2007 when training events" culminated by a month-long evaluation he led the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 325th period at the National Training Center in Southern Cali- Airborne Infantry Regiment, during the historical surge fornia's Mojave Desert. into Baghdad.

Kim, a 1983 McKinley High School graduate, left the is- [COL Kim was born in Korea and immigrated to Hawaii lands after receiving his commission as a second lieuten- when he was a child. As he got his citizenship, his thought ant through the University of Hawaii Army ROTC pro- was “if I try hard enough, if I worked hard enough then it gram in 1988. Most of his career has been away from the is attainable.”]

Congressional Gold Medal (from page 1) Farewell luncheon for Veterans Network Christine civic organizations formed one year Minister Shinoda Sato Yamazaki, and Secretary of ago to assist in the passage of the Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. bill, will continue to work with Washington officials to plan a two- TYSONS CORNER, Vir. — Minister Kenji Shinoda, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of The President praised the hero- day program, according to Christine Japan at Washington, DC had a farewell lunch ism and combat performance Sato Yamazaki, Chairperson of the record of the Nisei who served with JAVA Executive Council at the Tower NVN. Christine said the Washing- Club, Tysons Corner, Virginia on July 21, their country abroad while many ton, DC, festivities will include a 2010. Prior to his Washington, DC. assign- of their family members were in congressional ceremony hosted by ment, Shinoda served as Consul General of internment camps back congressional leaders; a gala dinner Japan at Chicago. He departed for Tokyo in home. He noted that Interim to honor the WW II veterans, wid- late July for reassignment. Below L-R: JAVA Chief of Staff Pete Rouse's par- ows, and next of kin; the laying of a President Robert Nakamoto and Minister Shi- noda. (Photo by Grant Ichikawa) ents were also among the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown 120,000 internees. The Presi- Soldier at Arlington National Ceme- dent also discussed their legacy, tery where some 69 Japanese which favorably impacted future Americans soldiers are interred; generations, saying those that and programs at the WWII Memo- followed “rode on the backs of rial and the National Japanese you heroes.” The President of- American Memorial to Patriotism. fered his congratulations to all Asian Pacific Americans, includ- Following the presentation, the ing Japanese Americans, on this Medal will be retrieved and ar- "well-deserved recognition." The chived at the Smithsonian Mu- President then sat at his desk on seum. Individuals may purchase which rested the Bill and about replica in bronze of the Medal from a half a dozen pens. He used the U.S. Mint at an approximate each pen to sign a portion of his cost of $50. For current updated signature. information on the Congressional Gold Medal please go to The National Veterans Network www.nationalveteransnetwork.com. (NVN), a coalition of 23 Japa- nese American veterans and PAGE 4 JAVA ADVOCATE JUNE 2010

2 JAVA representatives attend 235th US Army Ball NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland. tion of the US Army Chief of Staff, On June 12, 2010, two JAVA mem- the JAVA letter of appreciation to the bers and a 33rd Infantry Division U.S. Army was forwarded to all gen- veteran performed the rare and great eral officers because the “message honor of presenting the toast to highlights one of the key reasons the President Barack Obama, Com- Army celebrates its birthday each mander in Chief, at the 235th US year - to recognize the contributions Army Birthday Ball at the National and sacrifices of every generation of Harbor Hotel and Convention Cen- American Soldiers.” ter, located at National Harbor, Maryland. The WW II veterans were The JAVA letter said that “last eve- Grant Ichikawa (Military Intelli- ning's event speaks of the Greatness L-R: Grant Ichikawa, Terry Shima and Myron gence Service), Terry Shima (442nd of America" and related that the Ellis present toast to the Commander in Chief at thought going through the minds of Regimental Combat Team) and US Army Ball. (Juan R. Tricoche, US Army) Myron Ellis of Parsons, Kansas, who the two Nisei veterans, while holding served with the 123rd Infantry Regi- soldiers, civilians, families and veter- their glasses to toast the President, ment of the 33rd Division in the New ans for their dedication and sacrifice to was that only 69 years ago Americans Guinea and Philippine campaigns. keep the nation strong. of Japanese ancestry were confined in Other toasts that were presented in- internment camps and their partici- cluded "to our fallen comrades” and "to U.S. Army birthday celebrations are pation in such a formal event was the Army." held in military installations around unimaginable. Yet, as the letter the world including parades, military noted, they volunteered for combat to In their remarks to the over 2,000 par- balls, presentations to students by prove their loyalty, including “the 800 ticipants, Sergeant Major of the Army, military commanders, and commemo- Nisei who were left on the battlefields Kenneth O. Preston, Chief of Staff of rative running events. of Italy and France during World War the US Army, General George W. Ca- II comforted by the fact their sacrifice sey, and Secretary of the Army, John M The U.S. Army honored JAVA with a was not in vain." McHugh commended and thanked the great compliment when, at the direc-

Highlights from the Department of the VA

Claims Backlog Tops Shinseki's College of Medicine (BCM) and re- ments praising the facility as Long To-Do List. As he enters his searchers at Rice University's BioSci- “outstanding” to Secretary of Veter- second year as head of the U.S. De- ence Research Collaborative (BRC). ans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. The partment of Veterans Affairs, Secre- Researchers have developed a micro- Charleston VA far surpassed the tary Eric K. Shinseki is focused on chip sensor called the Nano-Bio-Chip national average for direct impact reducing the disability claims back- that processes saliva and yields on- findings during the Joint Commis- log. "We are going to break the back the-spot results. “The device works sion survey conducted March 9–12 of the backlog this year," Secretary by analyzing saliva, looking for car- with just four findings for four differ- Shinseki said during a recent news diac biomarkers of injury implicated ent accreditation surveys for the interview. He's counting on four pi- in the heart attack,” said Biykem hospital, its Long Term Care pro- lot programs designed to identify and Bozkurt, M.D., chief of cardiology at gram, Behavior Health Care, and overcome obstacles that slow the the MEDVAMC. Chest pain brings Home Care. claims process. One pilot program about 5 million patients to U.S. being tested in Baltimore is taking emergency rooms each year, but 80 SGLI Payments to Go Down. Sec- best practices from the others to cre- percent of those patients are not suf- retary Shinseki announced that mili- ate what Secretary Shinseki called fering heart attacks. The new saliva tary personnel insuring their fami- the "virtual VA regional office of the test could save lives, time and money lies under the Servicemembers’ future." Ultimately, he expects it to by allowing doctors to identify those Group Life Insurance (SGLI) pro- be a model for 57 VA regional offices suffering from a heart attack before gram, which is administered by the nationwide. administering a battery of costly Department of Veterans Affairs, will tests. The Joint Commission, the have reduced out-of-pocket expenses VA Medical Center Testing New accrediting body for all hospitals effective July 1, 2010, by an average Heart Attack Detection. A diag- in the United States, was so im- of 8 percent. The revised monthly nostic tool to detect heart attacks pressed with the quality of clinical premium rates per $10,000 of insur- using a person’s saliva is now being programs at the Charleston, SC, VA ance, along with other information, tested at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center during its recent are available on the Internet at Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in survey that it sent surveyors’ com- www.insurance.va.gov. Houston in collaboration with Baylor JUNE 2010 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 5

Eric Saul’s exhibit at Ellis Island on Nisei wartime experience

ELLIS ISLAND, NY — Curator Eric Saul’s ex- hibit entitled “GO FOR BROKE: Japanese American Soldiers fighting on Two Fronts,” at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, New York City, officially opened on August 8, 2010. Led by Master of Ceremonies George Ta- kei of Star Trek, over 200 people, including Nisei WWII veterans, families, and friends listened to speakers who recognized the heroism of Nisei who fought in Europe and the Pacific. The ex- hibit closed in early September. JAVA assisted in the planning, execution and opening cere- mony of this exhibit.

The exhibit, which featured rare photographs obtained from government sources and private collections, was dedicated to the memory of Mike M. Masaoka, 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran and civil rights activist, for advancing the status of persons of Asian ancestry, and to Chester Tanaka, 442nd RCT veteran, author, Below: L-R: Maj Gen Kelly McKeague, keynote speaker, George Takei, Superinten- and historian, for publicizing the patriotism of dent David Luchsinger, Eric Saul, Joanne Oppenheim, Floyd Mori. (Courtesy of the Nisei. Floyd Mori) to Ellis Island, through which millions passed to reach their Takei recognized the heroism of the Nisei soldiers and de- promised land. JAVA President Robert Nakamoto said the scribed with passion his invitation to the White House in WWII Nisei veterans settled the question of loyalty and 2000 to witness the presentation of 22 Medals of Honor to paved the way for future Japanese American generations to Asian Pacific Americans, including 20 Nisei from the 100th compete for prime positions and ranks. Author of Dear Miss Battalion and the 442nd RCT. National Park Service su- Breed and Stanley Hayami, Nisei Son; His Diary, Letters perintendent of Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty David and Story from an American Concentration Camp to Battle- Luchsinger cited the relevance of the Japanese Americans field, 1942-1945, Joanne Oppenheim, discussed the Ameri- canism of Japanese youths.

Thank You Donors! Japan’s Consul General to New York, Ambassador Shinichi JAVA is grateful for the generosity of Nishimiya, discussed the importance of Japanese Ameri- cans. “They are a key to promoting mutual understanding our members and friends between the people of Japan and the United States. And Kamai Forum () that is why the Japanese government considers our rela- Kiyoshi Fujihara (California) tions with Japanese American organizations and communi- Hisashi and Jean Hirasaki (California) ties so crucial,” Nishimiya said. Japanese American Citi- Hanako (Hankie) Hirose (Maryland) zens League (JACL) National Executive Director Floyd Mori Bryan K. Horikami (Maryland) discussed JACL and Masaoka’s wartime and postwar roles Lona Ichikawa (Virginia) to obtain maximum benefits for persons of Japanese ances- Dr. Howard Kline and Dr. Ellen Sawamura (California) try. U.S. Air Force Major General Kelly McKeague, repre- Ard Kozono (California) sentative of the Chairman of the , dis- Chosei Kuge (Maryland) Joseph T. Kuroda (Hawaii) cussed the role of the 100th BN in the Hawaii Territorial Martin Matsui (Hong Kong) Guard. “This exhibit portrays not just proud snapshots of Matthew and Jillian Moul (California) Japanese American history but it is a shining and enduring Walter M. Ozawa (Hawaii) lesson to the world of what it means to be an American,” Gary H. Shiota (California) McKeague said. Dorothy Shundo (California) George Suzuki (California) In a quiet moment of reflection after the program, Dr. Ray Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin (Oregon) Murakami, a former Chairman of the Board of the National Grant M. Ujifusa (New York) Japanese American Memorial Foundation and JAVA mem- ber, observed: “This exhibit enhances JAVA’s education Due to space limitation, donors to the following will be recognized in future Advocates: program. Clearly, what is most significant is the exposure Maud Shirey Scholarship Fund of the exhibit to tens of thousands of people many of whom Millie Ichikawa NARA Digitization Fund are not aware of the Japanese American story.” Joe Ichiuji Scholarship Fund PAGE 6 JAVA ADVOCATE JUNE 2010 Meet the Generals and Admirals Each quarter JAVA features two Asian Americans who have attained the highest ranks in the US armed forces. The pre- sent count is that 103 Asian Hawaiian Pacific Islander Americans have been promoted to generals and admirals, including General Eric Shinseki of Kauai, Hawaii, who wore four stars as the US Army’s 34th Chief of Staff. Of the 103, 59 served in the US Army, 23 in the US Air Force, 17 in the US Navy, 2 in the Public Health Service, and one each in the US Marines and US Coast guard. Broken down in another way, 43 are Japanese Americans, 26 , 20 Hawaii Pacific Islands, 10 Filipino Americans and four Korean Americans. Brig Gen Joseph K. Kim Brig Gen Michael D. Kim

Brig. Gen. Joseph Kim is the Brig. Gen. Michael Kim is the mo- Commander of the 154th Wing, bilization assistant to the Director Hawaii Air National Guard, of Operations, Headquarters Air Hickam Air Force Base, Ha- Mobility Command, Scott Air waii. The wing is one of the Force Base, Ill. The directorate is largest, most complex and di- responsible for developing policies verse in the Air National Guard and procedures for worldwide air consisting of three flying operations and transportation units:F-22, KC-135R and C- functions assigned to the com- 17A, a fixed radar squadron mand. These include cargo and and the full complement of passenger movement, C4 support Wing support squadrons; more systems, training and standardi- than 1,900 personnel. zation programs.

Units perform worldwide mobility and air refueling op- Brig. Gen. Kim entered the Air Force in 1982 through the erations along with the 24-hour Air Sovereignty mission ROTC program at the University of Maryland, College within the Hawaiian Islands along with supporting more Park. He separated from active duty in 1997 and joined the than 450 personnel in geographically separated units. Air Force Reserve without a break in service.

Kim was commissioned from the United States Air Force Kim received his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in the University of Maryland, College Park in 1982, when he engineering mechanics, and earned a Master of Business entered on active duty. He received a master’s degree in Administration from City University, Bellevue, Washing- aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Uni- ton, in 1990. versity in 1996. He also enrolled in the Air Command and Staff College by seminar and the Air War College by corre- On active duty, he served as a T-38 Instructor Pilot, T-38 spondence. PIT Instructor Pilot, KC-135A Evaluator Instructor Air- craft Commander, Chief of KC-135 Standardization/ He previously served as the Vice Commander of 22nd Air Evaluation, and KC-135 A/R CCTS Instructor Pilot. Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA and served as the Dep- uty Director of Mobility Forces, Combined Air and Space Op- Kim joined the Hawaii Air National Guard in 1993. He erations Center, Southwest Asia. He had four tours of duty served in various positions, commanding the 203 ARS, in Rhein-Main Air Base and Ramstein Air Base Germany 154th Operations Group and serving as Vice Wing Com- and served in USAF posts in Texas, Arkansas, South Caro- mander before assuming his current position. He is a lina, Georgia and Alabama. A command pilot, he has logged Command Pilot with more than 8,000 hours of flying time more than 5,000 flying hours in military aircraft. in the T-37, T-38 and KC-135. Kim’s awards include the , Meritorious Medal Kim’s awards include the Legion of Merit and Meritorious with 4 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with , and Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He has de- awards from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. ployed in support of numerous contingencies including: Desert Shield, Deny Flight, Northern Watch, Kosovo, Asked why he chose the armed forces as his career choice, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Kim said, “Simple, I wanted to serve my country, like my father, Command Sergeant Major Richard S. Kim, USA (Ret), Nearly a dozen of Brig. Gen. Kim’s family have served in who landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 and also served the military, including both his father and father-in-law, in the Korean War. Also, I wanted to fly airplanes.” each having 25 years of service. When asked why he serves, Kim stated that he was taught by his father to Brig. Gen. Kim and his wife, Kari, have three children, always find a way to be of value to society, to give back. Baylor, Mia and Scout.

Brig. Gen. Kim lives in Aiea Hawaii with his wife Kim- berly and his three daughters. JUNE 2010 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 7

JAVA awards scholarships to 6 elite HS graduates by Calvin Ninomiya, Esq.

The third annual JAVA Memorial Scholarship competition including Mrs. Marie Tashiro, whose family established culminated on May 15, 2010, with the naming of six high the Jack Tashiro scholarship; Mrs. Connie Ishio, who es- school graduates whom the Awards Committee had deter- tablished two scholarships in the names of her son, Doug- mined as its choices for receiving this year’s awards, each las, and her husband, Colonel Sunao Phil Ishio, USAR for $1,500. (Ret) and JAVA founder; and Mr. Victor Matsui and his daughter, Marcia, who, along with son, Martin, estab- The awardees include Jennifer De Rosa of Arlington, VA; lished a scholarship in the name of Mrs. Teru Kamikawa Hisa Hashisaka of Honolulu, HI; Kyle Ichikawa of Fremont, Matsui. CA; Christine Larson of San Jose, CA; Rachel Seeman of Portland, OR; and Sherilyn Tamagawa of Kaneohe, HI. JAVA would like to also recognize those who established Three awardees ranked first in their class out of schools scholarships but were unable to attend the luncheon. Mrs. with large graduating classes. Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin provided a gift for a scholarship as well as a generous bequest to JAVA from her estate. This Calvin Ninomiya, chair of the JAVA scholarship program, year, the Orville Shirey scholarship was renamed as the explained that this year’s contest attracted 31 applicants, Major and Mrs. Orville Shirey scholarship to honor not an unusually large number of entrants, making the judging only the individual in whose name the JAVA scholarship particularly difficult. Decisions were made on the basis of program was first established, but to include his wife, the total application, taking into account the contestant’s Maud, who died on May 3, 2010. GPA, class rank (where available), extracurricular activi- ties, and his or her essay. Each entrant was asked to write The Awards Committee members who determined the what winning the JAVA scholarship would mean to that awards selection are Sue Okubo, Ph.D., Ray Murakami, applicant. DDS and Ed Wakayama, Ph.D. The announcement of the winners was made at a special For any inquiries concerning future JAVA scholarships luncheon held at the Harvest Moon restaurant, Falls awards, please contact Calvin Ninomiya, Esq., at (301) Church, VA. Attending the program were family members 652-8135 or via email at [email protected]. of those in whose names the scholarships were established

Above: Scholarship recipients (L-R): Jennifer De Rosa; Hisa Hashisaka, Rachel Seeman, Kyle Ichikawa, Sherilyn Tanagawa, Christine Larson.

Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, breakfast at the White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last year JAVA was in- vited to the White House Veterans Day breakfast with President Barack Obama and First Lady Mi- chelle Obama in the White House East Room.

Seated L-R: JAVA President Bob Nakamoto, Terry Shima, Christine Sato Yamazaki, Mrs. Matz. Standing L-R: President Obama, Unidentified, Unidentified, BG Bert Mizusawa, USAR, Mrs. Obama, Virginia Copeland, VA; MG William Matz, USA (Ret), President NAUS; Mike Plumer, NAUS. (White House photo) PAGE 8 JAVA ADVOCATE JUNE 2010

Ichiuji loved to speak of his war- TAPS time military experience espe- cially to students, who Ichiuji felt should be briefed so they will JOE ICHIUJI, 522ND VET- readily know the right thing to ERAN AND COMMUNITY do if the nation is “faced with STALWART PASSES another Pearl Harbor”. When asked what motivated him, ROCKVILLE, Md. — Joseph “Joe” Ichiuji said, “When the call came Ichiuji, 442nd Regimental Combat for volunteers for the 442nd Team veteran and active community RCT, I was among the first in my leader, passed away peacefully at his internment camp to volunteer. I home in the Washington, DC suburbs, did it to prove my loyalty and to on July 3, 2010. He was 91. hasten the day my family can leave camp.” Born in Salinas, California, of Japa- nese immigrant parents, Ichiuji was Ichiuji is survived by his wife of inducted into the U.S. Army in 1941, 62 years, Asako “Susie” Ichiuji, completed his basic training at Camp daughter Karen Ichiuji (Phil) Roberts, California, and was assigned Ramone, son Douglas (Melissa) to the field artillery when World War Ichiuji, four siblings and numer- II broke out. He was soon discharged ous grandchildren. because of his racial ancestry, re- turned home and was sent to the A memorial service was held in Poston, Arizona, internment center July 2010, in Potomac, Mary- with his family. While interned, he land. Memorial contributions volunteered for the Japanese Ameri- may be made to JAVA’s Joseph can 442nd Regimental Combat Team Ichiuji Scholarship Fund. Please (RCT), serving in combat with Battery make checks payable to JAVA, A, 552nd Field Artillery Battalion in indicating “Joe Ichiuji Memorial Europe. Following the war, Ichiuji Scholarship Fund” on the Memo earned his Bachelors and Masters line, and mail to Earl Takeguchi, degrees in Business Administration 7201 White House Dr, Spring- and entered the federal service. He field, VA 22153. retired after 37 years of Federal Service, most of which was spent at the U.S. Agency for International Development. (Photos from Ichiuji family) Following his retirement, he devoted his time to traveling the world with his wife and friends, playing golf and doing community work.

Although he enjoyed the leisure of retirement, he dedicated countless hours to his passion of supporting the causes of organizations such as JAVA, the Japanese American Citizens League, the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, the Go For Broke National Educa- tion Center, the National Japanese American Veterans Council, and the Agency for Interna- tional Development Alumni Association.

Ichiuji made unique contributions to JAVA’s National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) project and Speakers Bureau. He helped coordinate the NARA project, an effort to electronically scan all relevant documents on the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regi- mental Combat Team and the Military Intelli- gence Service. The database will be maintained at the websites of JAVA and 442nd Hawaii. When completed, researchers will be able to access the database electronically from any- where in the world. JUNE 2010 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 9

Greetings from Camp From the Editor Ramadi, Iraq! I have been preparing this edition in be- tween my heavy workload of being the Brigade Judge Advocate and as- sisting the Iraqi criminal justice sys- tem establish the Rule of Law. I thank the JAVA leadership for being patient with me for putting together this issue, and thank you to JAVA member and new Assistant Editor Janelle Kuroda for greatly assisting me with this issue.

As I kept up with the JAVA activities from this side of the world, I sadly read of the passing of my dear per- Above: MAJ Kay Wakatake flying out of Fallujah in a sonal friends Joe Ichiuji and Ranger Grant Hirabayashi (to be Blackhawk helicopter. honored in a future Advocate issue). I regret that I could not see them one last time, but I am grateful that I had the honor of meeting them and being their friend. The Official JAVA Coin Each day that I serve this great nation, I thank Joe and $10 each, plus $1 shipping. Order one for yourself or as a gift! Grant and all the Japanese American and Asian Ameri- Send checks payable to “JAVA” can veterans who served so honorably and selflessly; to: they have opened so many doors for those of us who JAVA Books currently serve. P.O. Box 59 —Kay Wakatake Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Please email comments to [email protected].

Membership Dues: JAVA Membership Application Veterans, Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard: $30 Cadets, Midshipmen: $15 Life Membership: $300 Date: Amount Enclosed:$ Military Experience (if applicable): Membership: † New † Renewal † Transfer Rank: Name: Dates of Service: Military Campaigns: Spouse’s Name:

Address: Awards/Decorations:

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(Office) Please make checks payable to JAVA and mail to: Bruce Hollywood, Membership Chair Email: 38 Kinross Drive Stafford, VA 22554 JAPANESE AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION c/o Base Technologies 5th Floor, 1749 Old Meadow Road McLean, Virginia 22102

Please send correspondence to: General: Terry Shima, [email protected], 301-987-6746 William E. Houston, [email protected], 703-380-8175 Education: Terry Shima (temporary) (see above) Freedom Walk: Martin Herbert, [email protected], 703-509-6473 Membership: Bruce Hollywood, [email protected] Visit our website: Memorial Day Arlington Cemetery: Terry Shima (temp) Memorial Day Parade: Martin Herbert (See above) www.javadc.org National Archives Research: Joe Ichiuji, Emeritus Fumie Yamamoto, [email protected]; 301-942-3985 Newsletter: Kay Wakatake, [email protected] Oral History: Terry Shima (temporary) (see above) Quarterly Lunch: Grant Ichikawa, [email protected] Round Robin: Grant Ichikawa, [email protected] Sakura Matsuri: Reuben Yoshikawa, [email protected], 703-795-2512 Speakers Bureau: Terry Shima (temporary) (see above) Veterans Day: Terry Shima (temporary) (see above) Webmaster: Dave Buto, [email protected] Mark Nakagawa, [email protected] Mae Nakamoto, [email protected]

Introducing little Chester Likeke Kernek-Moritsugu!

Welcome New Members

Andrew Beckwith (North Carolina) BG Joseph Caravalho, Jr. USA (Texas) John Fitzgerald (Alaska) Jun Kayama (California) George W. Liao (Maryland) Sam I. Mayeda (Colorado) Karl Punahele Motoyama (Virginia) Mark T. Nakagawa (Carol) (Virginia) Robert R. Omata (Hiroko) (Maryland) Jan "Micky" Scholte (Marie) (California) John Tobe (Washington, DC) Hiroshi Tsuboi (New York)

Above: Chester Likeke Kernek-Moritsugu, son of Erika Mo- ritsugu and Brian Kernek, born on April 14, 2010. Photo from Erika Moritsugu.