Honoring Heroes: Japanese American Soldiers Promoted Posthumously to Officer Ranks
Seven Japanese American soldiers who died fighting for the U.S. during World War II will be posthumously promoted to officer ranks in a ceremony on Monday. These soldiers were initially part of the University of Hawaii's Reserve Officer Training Corps but were barred from service after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They later joined the segregated Japanese American regiment, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and fought in Europe, with most of them losing their lives during the campaign to liberate Italy from Nazi Germany.
The soldiers, Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, and Howard Urabe, will be promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant, the rank they would have achieved if they completed the ROTC program. The ceremony will take place in a Honolulu park, and relatives of some of the men are expected to attend. These soldiers faced challenges and discrimination due to their Japanese heritage but still chose to serve their country with honor and courage.
The promotion ceremony is a way to honor the sacrifices made by these soldiers and recognize their contributions to the country. It is a reminder of the importance of acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices of all individuals, regardless of their background or heritage. The University of Hawaii had previously awarded these men posthumous degrees in 2012, and now their promotions to officer ranks further highlight their dedication and service to the nation.