2012-05-26 - Sacramento Gold Medal Ceremony Honors WWII Veterans
Soaring six stories high in the courtyard, the California State Museum’s Constitution Wall proclaimed in huge words “rights”, “redress”, “without discrimination”, and “liberty” to the 300 well-wishers of the Japanese American World War II veterans honored May 26th in Sacramento.
This was the striking backdrop as Congresswoman Doris Matsui presented almost 30 surviving veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service (MIS) with the Congressional Gold Medal.
It is a “very special day for all of us – and all Americans . . . All our veterans served and sacrificed much, but these men also suffered discrimination in our own country.” After being imprisoned during WWII, many “no longer felt they had a country they could call their own,” remarked Matsui
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award for performing outstanding service to the United States. The veterans join honorees including George Washington, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Tuskegee Airmen, Matsui shared.
The suspicions and racism against Japanese Americans were fueled by Japan’s 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor leading to the rapid incarceration of over 110,000 in American style concentration camps. Not until 1943 did the government allow segregated Japanese Americans units, most coming out of those camps and Hawaii, to fight the worldwide march of Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and militarist Japan.
The written program explained how the 100th Battalion and 442nd soon proved themselves in European battles, becoming the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history for length of service and size. The MIS, composed of Nisei and Kibei (those educated in Japan) linguists served as translators, interrogators, and code-breakers against Japan in the Pacific.
Dr. Isao Fujimoto of U.C. Davis Asian American Studies related how he later met Charles Willoughby, General Douglas McArthur’s Chief of Intelligence during WWII. Willoughby credited the Japanese American linguists with shortening the Pacific War by two years and saving a million lives.
Nisei soldiers helped to “demolish all suspicions of the minority population”. “For bringing honor to Japanese Americans everywhere . . . thank you very much” said Fujimoto.
He pointed to the Nisei veterans’ service, sacrifice, and selflessness. The immigrant Issei parents guided the American- born Nisei 2nd generation with three principles: 1.” Give it all you’ve got”. 2. “Whatever you do, do it in a way that brings honor to your family and community”. 3. “Don’t brag”.
Nisei veterans, boy scouts, singer Kendyl Ito, and ceremony participants salute the flag. Congressional Gold Medals lined up for the ceremony.
Exemplifying the humility of many Nisei, Percy Fukushima, an MIS veteran from Sacramento’s Florin community said, “We all served our country. We just happened to be Japanese Americans.”
When asked what the ceremony meant to him, a 442nd veteran and well-known community photographer Shig Yokote, shared a few thoughts. “There’s really not so much to say.” Thinking a little more, he added, “Well, I’m 95 years old now. This ceremony comes at a much appreciated time and I’ve looked forward to it. We appreciate the organizations doing this.”
Roy Sato, a 100th Battalion soldier active in veteran activities, remarked that the local ceremony was good since many veterans couldn’t go to the national ceremony in Washington, D.C. last fall. He noted that his grandkids have interviewed him about his military service for school projects. It’s important that the younger generation understand the sacrifices of the older generation.
Looking to the future was George Morita of the Military Intelligence Service. He commented that many of his family were able to join him at the Sacramento ceremony. One who wasn’t is his daughter Priscilla Ouchida. As the new National Director of the JACL, she just got an apartment in Washington, D.C. and was starting to tackle some of the big challenges facing the community and the JACL.
Sharon Ito, master of ceremonies and long-time newscaster, summed up the crowd’s feeling well. “We say thank you to our Veterans of WWII, our husbands, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers. They were our heroes when we were growing up. “
Reverend Peter Inokoji-Kim, a veteran himself, led a moment of silence for those many veterans who had already passed away. He reminded us that “each day of life is not to be taken for granted but is a true gift”.
Kendyl Ito, a multi-talented McClatchy High School student, performed the Star-Spangled Banner with Boy Scout Troops 50 and 250 leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Community partners co-sponsoring the ceremony were the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League (J.A.C.L.), Florin J.A.C.L., and Asian Community Center of Sacramento.
This was the striking backdrop as Congresswoman Doris Matsui presented almost 30 surviving veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service (MIS) with the Congressional Gold Medal.
It is a “very special day for all of us – and all Americans . . . All our veterans served and sacrificed much, but these men also suffered discrimination in our own country.” After being imprisoned during WWII, many “no longer felt they had a country they could call their own,” remarked Matsui
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award for performing outstanding service to the United States. The veterans join honorees including George Washington, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Tuskegee Airmen, Matsui shared.
The suspicions and racism against Japanese Americans were fueled by Japan’s 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor leading to the rapid incarceration of over 110,000 in American style concentration camps. Not until 1943 did the government allow segregated Japanese Americans units, most coming out of those camps and Hawaii, to fight the worldwide march of Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and militarist Japan.
The written program explained how the 100th Battalion and 442nd soon proved themselves in European battles, becoming the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history for length of service and size. The MIS, composed of Nisei and Kibei (those educated in Japan) linguists served as translators, interrogators, and code-breakers against Japan in the Pacific.
Dr. Isao Fujimoto of U.C. Davis Asian American Studies related how he later met Charles Willoughby, General Douglas McArthur’s Chief of Intelligence during WWII. Willoughby credited the Japanese American linguists with shortening the Pacific War by two years and saving a million lives.
Nisei soldiers helped to “demolish all suspicions of the minority population”. “For bringing honor to Japanese Americans everywhere . . . thank you very much” said Fujimoto.
He pointed to the Nisei veterans’ service, sacrifice, and selflessness. The immigrant Issei parents guided the American- born Nisei 2nd generation with three principles: 1.” Give it all you’ve got”. 2. “Whatever you do, do it in a way that brings honor to your family and community”. 3. “Don’t brag”.
Nisei veterans, boy scouts, singer Kendyl Ito, and ceremony participants salute the flag. Congressional Gold Medals lined up for the ceremony.
Exemplifying the humility of many Nisei, Percy Fukushima, an MIS veteran from Sacramento’s Florin community said, “We all served our country. We just happened to be Japanese Americans.”
When asked what the ceremony meant to him, a 442nd veteran and well-known community photographer Shig Yokote, shared a few thoughts. “There’s really not so much to say.” Thinking a little more, he added, “Well, I’m 95 years old now. This ceremony comes at a much appreciated time and I’ve looked forward to it. We appreciate the organizations doing this.”
Roy Sato, a 100th Battalion soldier active in veteran activities, remarked that the local ceremony was good since many veterans couldn’t go to the national ceremony in Washington, D.C. last fall. He noted that his grandkids have interviewed him about his military service for school projects. It’s important that the younger generation understand the sacrifices of the older generation.
Looking to the future was George Morita of the Military Intelligence Service. He commented that many of his family were able to join him at the Sacramento ceremony. One who wasn’t is his daughter Priscilla Ouchida. As the new National Director of the JACL, she just got an apartment in Washington, D.C. and was starting to tackle some of the big challenges facing the community and the JACL.
Sharon Ito, master of ceremonies and long-time newscaster, summed up the crowd’s feeling well. “We say thank you to our Veterans of WWII, our husbands, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers. They were our heroes when we were growing up. “
Reverend Peter Inokoji-Kim, a veteran himself, led a moment of silence for those many veterans who had already passed away. He reminded us that “each day of life is not to be taken for granted but is a true gift”.
Kendyl Ito, a multi-talented McClatchy High School student, performed the Star-Spangled Banner with Boy Scout Troops 50 and 250 leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Community partners co-sponsoring the ceremony were the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League (J.A.C.L.), Florin J.A.C.L., and Asian Community Center of Sacramento.