Japanese American Veterans Association JAVA ADVOCATE October 2009 Volume XVI1—Issue 3 Inside this issue: 65th Anniversary of Liberation of Vosges Region by Dr. Ellen Sawamura President’s Message 2 the delegation attended memorials at the BRUYERES, France – On Saturday, July Epinal American Cemetery, the 442nd Monu- USAF band honors JA vet 3 11, 2009, six veterans of the famous ment in the Helladraye Forest “via Rue de Silver Star for 442nd medic 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team 442” and also viewed the bronze Monument Goodwill in Vosges region 4 (RCT) arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport to Friendship and Peace, sculpted by the late in Paris, France to commemorate the 65th Shinkichi Tajiri of M Company, rode on Young Oak Kim Academy 5 Anniversary of the Liberation of Bruyeres [continued on page 4 at “Vosges”] PPALM meeting and Biffontaine and the Res- Japan Prime Minister 6 cue of the “Lost Battalion.” Japan Army General visit A large delegation of friends, family, documentary film Japan Ambassador visit 7 makers, and news crew, led Mainichi Shimbun story by Lawson Sakai of E Com- Highlights from DVA 8 pany, accompanied these veterans into a double- Quarterly luncheon 9 decker bus to begin the long Meet the Generals, Admirals 10 ride to Epinal, a small vil- lage nestled in the Vosges Veterans Day Program 11 Mountains near the eastern The History Channel border of France. Congressional Gold Medal 12 442nd Veterans under “Rue de 442” street sign in Bruyeres: (L-R) Art JAVA President’s firm During the days to follow, Iwasaki, George Kanatani, Sam Sakamoto, Nelson Akagi, Fumio “Steve” Shimizu, Lawson Sakai. (Dr. Ellen Sawamura) Other Veterans organizations 13 Gabaldon actions in WWII 14 Filipino American reception 17 Nations mark 59th Anniversary of Korean War “Life Interrupted” project 15 WASHINGTON – On July 27, 2009, in a acts of gallantry of four recipients of the JACL Gala 16 ceremony marking the 59th anniversary of Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award Minority Veterans committee North Korean invasion of South Korea, for valor, one from each of the four branches Sgt. Rock in hard cover 17 Secretary of US Veterans Affairs Eric of service, including Corporal Hiroshi Welcome new members Shinseki paid tribute to 17 nation military “Hershey” Miyamura of the US Army dur- forces, including nearly two million Ameri- ing the Korean War. Cherry Blossom festival 18 cans, who served in the Korean War. He Exhibit at Ellis Island noted that 54,000 Americans made the The ceremony was held at the Korean War Memorial, located at The Mall, Washington, Sec of MD DVA appointed 19 ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for DC. The program, sponsored by the Korean 65th Anniv of Lost Bn rescue their country. He described the profound War Veterans Armistice Day Coordinating Book Review 20 Committee, was attended by representa- Salyers Grubb dissertation tives of the 17 countries which fought in the United Nations sanctioned war, Korean JAVA scholarships 21 War Veterans Association, other Veterans Shinseki in Palo Alto Durso retirement Service Organizations (VSO), and the gen- eral public. [continued on page 5 at Nations] Taps 22 Left: Wreath placed by JAVA and Japanese From the Editor 23 American Korean War Veterans at the Korean Membership application War Memorial in Washington, DC. (Barbara JAVA Contact Information 24 Salisbury, Washington Times) Upcoming Events PAGE 2 JAVA ADVOCATE OCTOBER 2009 sources every day, come rain, snow or nese American veterans groups to- President’s Message shine. gether to work towards a common cause. Harnessing the energy of I hope you all had a Historian Eric Saul, who has been com- national Japanese American veter- nice Summer holi- missioned by the National Park Service ans to support the passage of Sena- day. First I wish to to construct an exhibit at Ellis Island, tor Boxer’s Bill to provide the Con- welcome back to New York, has invited JAVA to serve on gressional Gold Medal to the 100th CONUS our most the planning committee. The subject of and 442nd is a worthwhile endeavor professional editor, the exhibit is the Japanese American that JAVA supported. At the same MAJ Kay Wakatake, experience during WW II. The grand time, we congratulate Craig Uchida, USA and her family, opening is on Memorial Day, 2010 to Chairman of the Board of the Na- following a tour of duty in Germany. run for 5 months. The visitors represent tional Japanese American Memorial a wide, diverse segment of our popula- I wish to congratulate the following Foundation, for holding a Gala event tion not normally reached by our tradi- JAVA members for their achieve- in Houston soon to celebrate the tional publicity mechanisms. In this ments. COL Mike Cardarelli, USA reunion of members of the trapped connection, two other programs JAVA is th (Ret) was sworn in as Deputy Chief of 36 (Texas) Division and veterans of connected with will reach this general nd Staff at the Department of Veterans the 442 RCT. target, Billy Tucci’s 6 monthly series Affairs (DVA). MG Antonio (Tony) comics on the Rescue of the Lost Battal- Thanks to our volunteers, JAVA Taguba was appointed Chairman of ion have been bound for sale. Also, the remains a vibrant organization. We the DVA Committee on Minority Vet- History Channel, featuring Jimmie will continue our emphasis on the erans, which is mandated by the US Kanaya, will broadcast later this year legacy of Japanese Americans, our Congress. Ed Chow, a Vietnam War its 10-series epic documentary on WW education programs, scholarships, veteran, was appointed Secretary of II. and assistance of veterans and their Veterans Affairs for the State of families in need. Maryland. MAJ Alan Ueoka, USA, We were advised by the Embassy of Ja- was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel pan that Ambassador and Mrs. Fujisaki —Bob Nakamoto in a dignified ceremony at the Na- are hosting a reception on October 20 for tional Japanese American Memorial Japanese Americans living in the Wash- Honorary Chairs to Patriotism, located near the US ington, DC area. Such a gathering has Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Senate Capitol Building. I understand Alan, not happened before. This is a testa- Senator Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senate a Sansei, selected this venue because ment to Ambassador Fujisaki’s commit- of his conviction that sacrifices made The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta ment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Barney Hajiro, Medal of Honor by the WW II generation opened op- (MOFA) initiative to reach out to the Hershey H. Miyamura, Medal of Honor portunities for subsequent genera- Japanese American community to solid- tions of Japanese Americans. ify relationships. JAVA has been an George Joe Sakato, Medal of Honor active participant of Ambassador Fuji- I wish to thank JACL President Larry saki and Irene Hirano Inouye’s project. Officers Oda and National Director Floyd Mori Glen Fukushima, President and CEO of Robert Nakamoto, President for recognizing JAVA, along with Airbus Japan KK and life member of Bruce Hollywood, Col, USAF (Ret), three other organizations, for publiciz- JAVA, independently, serves as unoffi- Vice President ing the Japanese American experience cial consultant to MOFA on these mat- Michael Yaguchi, Lt Col, USAF (Ret), during WW II and its legacy. I realize ters. we would not have received this high Secretary Earl Takeguchi, LTC, USA (Ret), honor without our legion of volunteers We endorse Christine Sato-Yamazaki’s Treasurer who have donated their time and re- efforts to bring representatives of Japa- Board of Directors Above Officers plus: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRESIDENT! Grant Ichikawa Bert Mizusawa, BG, USAR The JAVA Board of Directors and THE AD- VOCATE wish to congratulate our President Calvin Ninomiya Bob Nakamoto for his business firm Base Terry Shima, Executive Director Technologies, Inc.’s recognition with three Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA separate awards as one of the top minority- William Houston, owned businesses in the nation. Why JAVA Deputy Executive Director has been successful as a national veterans Gerald Yamada, General Counsel organization is because of his superior leader- Reuben Yoshikawa ship and support. Please see story on page 12. JAVA ADVOCATE Akio Konoshima, Editor Emeritus Kay Wakatake, MAJ, USA, Editor OCTOBER 2009 JAVA ADVOCATE PAGE 3 Maryland Public TV and USAF Band honors JAVA member BETHESDA, Md. – Maryland Public weather airport, and open the Burma Television plans to broadcast a special Road, the land route to China. After 5 program by the US Air Force Band on battles and a 700-mile march through Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, to the treacherous jungles of Burma, Hir- honor five Maryland veterans, including abayashi and his unit achieved their Grant J. Hirabayashi, a veteran of the goal but sustained 85% casualties in famed Merrill’s Marauders, a Special the process, a warning made to the Forces unit which served in Burma dur- volunteers when they were recruited. ing World War II. The musical tribute to America’s veterans was taped on The musical tribute will also feature June 17, 2009, at the Music Center at four members of the arts: Michael Stratmore in Bethesda. Feinstein, one of the premier interpret- ers of American popular songs; Louis Hirabayashi, a 2004 inductee into the Gossett, Jr., an internationally ac- Ranger Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, claimed actor and passionate advocate Georgia, who volunteered for the US of civil rights and diversity; Ronan Army Air Corps but was reassigned be- Tynan, a former member of The Irish cause of his racial ancestry after World Tenors, an orthopedic surgeon, and War II began, was one of the 14 Nisei popular speaker; and Shemekin Cope- out of 200 volunteers to serve in the land, a singer.