Houston Community News >> Japanese Veterans Honored at White House
Following his presentation of a broad view of US relations with Asian Pacific nations, extolling them for the cordial and productive relations America enjoys, the President singled out Asian Pacific Americans who served in the Armed Forces. Six Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) World War II veterans were selected by the White House to represent the 360,000 Asian Pacific American veterans and 29,000 active duty personnel for special recognition
Seated at the front row were Joe Ichiuji (442nd Regimental Combat Team), Yeiichi Kelly Kuwayama (442nd Regimental Combat Team), Grant Ichikawa (Military Intelligence Service), Grant Hirabayashi (Military Intelligence Service -Merrill’s Marauders), Ben Kuroki (US Army Air Corps gunner), and Terry Shima (442nd Regimental Combat Team). The President addressed them saying, “With us today are veterans from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This was a segregated Army unit composed mostly of volunteers recruited from internment camps in the United States. Isn't that interesting? People whose love of the country was such that they were able to overcome the bitterness of being interned by a country they called home, and they were willing to put on the uniform; and not only put on the uniform -- they served America with distinction in eight battle campaigns in Europe. In 1945, members of the 442nd helped liberate the concentration camp at Dachau. They went from an internment camp to wear the uniform of the United States Army, to liberate camps in Europe.
“Yet the 442nd is best known for their mission to rescue the trapped soldiers of the Texas National Guard's ‘Lost Battalion.’ A lot of Texans are thanking you guys for that, by the way. In the mountains of Eastern France, the 442nd went up against the heavily entrenched Germans and suffered devastating casualties. But their courage saved more than 200 of their brothers. Their valor helped earn them several Presidential Unit Citations, and helped make their unit one of the most highly decorated in U.S. military history. Their sacrifice earns the gratitude of the nation they defended -- an attitude we express today to the men of the 442nd. Thank you for coming.”
As the audience applauded, the Nisei
veterans rose spontaneously and saluted their Commander-in-Chief, who
returned the salute. This event was reminiscent of President Harry S.
Truman’s review of the 442nd RCT at the Ellipse, the outer south lawn of
the White House, following its march down Constitution Avenue on July
15, 1946, when he praised the Nisei for fighting the enemy abroad and
prejudice at home.
To former Sergeant Ben Kuroki, who flew 58 air combat missions in Europe
and Japan, the President said, “I do want to point out one soul who's
joined us -- and Ben is not going to be happy about it, Ben Kuroki. He
probably doesn't want to be called out but I'm going to do it anyway,
Ben. I’ve got the podium and you don't. Two days after Pearl Harbor, Ben
volunteered to join the Army, where there is no doubt he met prejudice
at nearly every turn. Still, he became one of the few "Nisei" admitted
to the Army Air Corps. He flew 58 missions over Europe and Japan, and he
earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses. When he came back home, he
turned to another mission: working to overcome the intolerance he had
experienced during his early days in the Army. Ben edited newspapers. He
spoke to audiences around the country. He became a strong advocate of
racial equality. He knew something -- and he knew the subject well,
unfortunately. Sixty years after the Japanese surrender, Ben received
the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal. And at the ceremony, here's
what he said: "I had to fight like hell to fight for my country -- and
now I feel completely vindicated."
“We are glad you feel vindicated, but I am proud to tell you America is
a better place because of you, Ben. Thank you for coming.” Kuroki stood
erect and smartly saluted his commander-in-chief; the President returned
his salute.
Fourteen other JAVA members were invited to witness this extraordinary
program in which Asian Pacific Americans were recognized by the highest
authority of this nation. They also participated in an elegant reception
that followed in the State Dining Room. Asian American officials invited
to the White House event were former Secretary of Transportation Norman
Mineta, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chow, and Congressman David Wu of
Oregon. JAVA President Robert Nakamoto, Japanese America Citizens League
(JACL) National Director Floyd Mori, as well as National Japanese
American Memorial Foundation President and Executive Director Gerald
Yamada also participated in this White House event.
While still reeling from the unprecedented White House attention, Kuroki
was honored that evening to a packed audience at the Smithsonian Air and
Space Museum, which featured a documentary of his life, The Most
Honorable Son, at the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. The Museum Director,
General John R. Dailey, US Marine Corps (retired), cited Kuroki’s
courage and perseverance to remain in the Corps which was rife with
discrimination and prejudice against Japanese Americans. In the Question
and Answer period Kuroki, the only Japanese American who flew in air
combat missions in the Asia Pacific Theater, was asked how he felt about
dropping bombs on the people of his ancestry. He replied: “I felt
terrible for the people, especially women and children, the same way the
German American airmen felt about dropping bombs in Germany and the
Italian Americans in Italy. But we were in a war against fierce Axis
powers, which were determined to abolish our democratic system.
The next day, May 2, prior to his return to California, Kuroki, his wife
Shige, daughter Julie Cooney and her daughter, Alexis, had lunch with 35
JAVA members and their families. 30