Japanese American Soldiers, Once Branded “Enemy Aliens,” to be Promoted Posthumously
In a poignant ceremony, seven Japanese American soldiers will be promoted to officer ranks, eight decades after they made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for the United States during World War II. Despite being branded “enemy aliens,” these brave men demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to their country, even as their families were detained in internment camps.
The seven soldiers, who were students at the University of Hawaii and cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, were on track to become Army officers when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Initially, they served in the Hawaii Territorial Guard, but soon after the attack, the U.S. barred most Japanese Americans from service, deeming them “enemy aliens.” Undeterred, they continued to serve in a civilian labor battalion known as the “Varsity Victory Volunteers,” performing tasks such as digging ditches and breaking rocks.
A Legacy of Bravery and Sacrifice
In early 1943, American leaders announced the formation of a segregated Japanese American regiment, and the seven soldiers were among those who joined the unit, known as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This combat team, along with the 100th battalion, composed mostly of Japanese Americans from Hawaii, went on to become one of the most decorated units in U.S. history. Some of its soldiers fought for the Allies even as their relatives were detained in Japanese American internment camps, considered a public danger.
According to 1st Sgt. Nakoa Hoe of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment, “It is essential to recognize our forefathers and these veterans that we stand on the shoulders of.” He noted that the once-segregated unit now includes a “multitude of cultures.” The seven soldiers “sacrificed so much at a challenging time when their loyalty to their country was questioned, and they even had family members imprisoned,” he added.
Posthumous Promotions and Recognition
The seven men – Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, and Howard Urabe – died fighting in Europe in 1944. All but Murata were killed during the campaign to liberate Italy from Nazi Germany. Murata was killed by an artillery shell in eastern France. They will be promoted to 2nd lieutenant, the rank they would have had if they completed the ROTC program. Relatives of at least some of the men are expected to attend the ceremony, scheduled to be held in a Honolulu park.
As Lt. Col. Jerrod Melander, who previously led the University of Hawaii’s ROTC program, stated, honoring the seven soldiers is not about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) but recognizing them for their merit and the ultimate sacrifice they made for their country. The university awarded the men posthumous degrees in 2012, and their promotions are a testament to their bravery and dedication.
As Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, emphasized, “Everyone’s contribution to and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and the security of this country should matter and should be acknowledged, regardless of who they are.” The promotions of these seven Japanese American soldiers serve as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of all individuals who have served their country, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Read more about the story of these brave soldiers and their posthumous promotions Here
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