19th Annual Joint Memorial Service (2024)

The 19th Annual Joint Memorial Service (JMS), held on Sunday, September 29, 2024, was presented by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100), 442nd Veterans Club, 442nd Legacy Center, Sons and Daughters of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service Veterans Hawai‘i organizations.

Wilbert Toda (MIS), Dr. Takashi Manago (100th Inf Bn), and Roy Fujii (522 FAB, 442nd RCT) pose for photos at the 19th Annual Joint Memorial Service.

On September 29, 1946, the veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the first segregated Japanese American unit to fight in Europe, held a memorial service to honor their comrades who died in the war for whom a formal service or ritual could not be held in the heat of battle. The veterans of the 100th continued to organize or participate in an annual memorial service, traditionally held in September on the Sunday closest to September 29 — the day that Sgt. Shigeo “Joe” Takata became the first 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) soldier to be killed in action, in 1943. Held as a joint memorial service since 2006, the service now honors all the men who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, who died in World War II or have since passed on. 

The service was led by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization this year. We were truly honored to have Dr. Takashi Manago of the 100th Infantry Battalion, Able Company; Mr. Roy Fujii of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) of the 442nd RCT; and Mr. Wilbert Toda of the MIS join us at the service. As the years go by, we see fewer veterans attending in person, emphasizing the crucial task of upholding the values and legacy of our soldiers and recognizing the impact they have on our lives today. We understand the effort it takes for these veterans to join us. For instance, despite hearing from two separate reliable sources that Mr. Fujii would not be attending due to significantly reducing his outings, he surprised his family by expressing his wish to attend after seeing the news about the Joint Memorial Service. This serves as a testament to the enduring and unbreakable brotherhood formed during the challenging war years, which remains as strong as ever, even after 80 years.

19th Annual Joint Memorial Service group photo after the service, including veterans (seated in front center, left to right) Wilbert Toda (MIS), Dr. Takashi Manago (100th Bn, Co. A), and Roy Fujii (442nd RCT). (Photo courtesy Clyde Sugimoto [nephew of Nolan Miyazaki (B)]) 

The 111th Army Band, Hawaii Army National Guard’s performance was instrumental in creating the right atmosphere as we started the program. After the presentation and posting of colors, Sandy Tsukiyama, daughter of Ted Tsukiyama (442nd RCT and MIS), sang The Star-Spangled Banner and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī. Between the two songs, Aletheia Uchida, Andrew Uchida, and Sarah Murakami, descendants of Gary Uchida (HQ), led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry Honor Guard did an excellent job in the presentation and posting of colors, the 21-gun Memorial Salute and the Retiring of Colors.

Presentation of the colors by the 100 BN 442D INF REGT Honor Guard. (Photo courtesy Ann Kabasawa [daughter of Raymond Nosaka (B)])

Pastor Daniel Chinen of Moanalua Gardens Missionary Church gave the invocation and benediction, and Reverend Yuika Hasebe of the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin offered a Prayer of Remembrance.

As JMS chair, I gave a welcome speech and the following is part of what was shared:

These units would endure many losses; they encountered tremendous obstacles on and off the battlefield. And yet, time after time, they proved unquestionable loyalty to their country, which would later lead to civil rights changes with an enormous positive impact on society.

Today we, descendants and friends, honor these AJA and other ethnicities who fought against fascism, while proving that Americans come in all colors and are deserving of equal rights.

When the men returned to Hawaii, they continued to fight for the expansion of civil liberties for everyone; as a result, the doors of opportunity were opened wider for us and succeeding generations. 

Our emcee, Al Hirata [nephew of Shigeru Tokuuke (D)], shared that in 1945, Major Mitsuyoshi Fukuda (A) requested of Assistant Secretary of War John McCloy to discontinue the practice of segregating AJAs as separate units. Perhaps this request helped President Harry S. Truman’s decision to sign Executive Order 9981 banning segregation in the Armed Forces — one of the first acts of civil rights in the USA. 

Our keynote speaker, Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill, spoke also of Executive Order 9980, which banned segregation in the federal civil service because of race, color, religion, or national origin. Perhaps it was the tenacity, dedication, and long suffering of all men who served in segregated units that contributed to President Truman’s signing both documents on July 26, 1948. 

CPO Jamon Jefferson, (Flag Writer), LT Kristie Hodges (Flag Aide), and RADM Stephen Barnett (Navy Region Hawaii). (Photo courtesy

Pat Thomson)

Wreath presentations were made by the 100th, 442nd, MIS, and 1399th groups, followed by other participating presenters. We received a lot of positive comments about the service, and many appreciated the involvement of the yonsei Legacy Speakers, and how they shared about their grandfathers. 

Jennifer Kumura (100th Inf Bn Legacy Speaker) delivers speech, following wreath presentations.

Jennifer Kumura, granddaughter of Isamu Nakasato, 100th Infantry Battalion Co. A, said her grandfather passed away when she was just a month old, but reflected:

I know firsthand that it is only through stories that are told of him and learning about the Nisei veteran legacy that I am able to get to know the kind of man he is. 

As I learn more about the WWII Nisei soldiers’ and veteran’s history and experience, I grow more in awe of what they endured and fought for. These Nisei soldiers, who faced prejudice and mistrust at home during World War II, chose to serve their country with bravery and character. Despite this adversity, the 100th and 442nd became the most decorated unit of its size in U.S. Military History because they fought as one unit with all heart, perseverance, and resilience. They showed the strength of their character and devout loyalty to our country, the United States of America.

Maggie Inouye, granddaughter of Senator Daniel Inouye, 442nd RCT, said:

On June 21, 2000, 21 veterans from the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team received the Medal of Honor. One of those heroes was my grandfather, Daniel Inouye. After the event, he was asked how it felt to be a part of the greatest generation. His answer was one typical of many nisei veterans, that he didn’t believe his generation was the greatest generation. For that implies it never gets better, and that’s not what America is about. He believed in an America that is always trying to improve upon itself, pursuing its goal of a more perfect union. In his words, “The greatest generation is yet to come.”

Melissa Morinishi, granddaughter of Mike Yoshio Kubota, MIS, told us:

To others, my Jiichan was a normal man, but to me, he is my hero. A poor child of immigrants on the ‘Amauulu sugar plantation near Hilo, my Jiichan (may have) understood the Japanese values of “gaman” and “chūgi”…

During the war, my Jiichan didn’t have any spectacular achievements on the battlefields like you might hear from others, but he was my hero because he served his country, quietly doing his assigned job in the China-Burma-India Theater and helping in the war effort.

He never became rich and never bragged about any accomplishments, but he always said, “I am the ‘richest’ man in the world because I have the love of my family around me.” That was my Jiichan ... just a normal man who taught me important life lessons. I owe so much to him and the rest of the heroic Nisei veterans.

Teal Takayama, granddaughter of Robert Takayama, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion spoke about her grandfather as follows:

I learned later that during the war, his unit constructed more than 54 major military installations, including a million-gallon water tank in Wahiawa that’s still used today.

They created realistic jungle training locations, they built artillery and ammunition storage depots, and they built airfields in Kahuku for the new Flying Fortress bombers.

General Douglas MacArthur requested that the 1399th be sent to the Philippines but the War Department refused because they considered their work “essential” to defense of Hawaii.

I like to think that if my grandpa were here today he still probably wouldn’t want to talk about his time in the military – instead, he would just be happy to see that his work and his sacrifice were not in vain.

Legacy Speakers (left to right) Teal Takayama [granddaughter of Robert Takayama, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion], Melissa Morinishi [granddaughter of Mike Yoshio Kubota (MIS)], Maggie Inouye [granddaughter of Senator Daniel Inouye (442nd RCT)], and Jennifer Kumura [granddaughter of Isamu Nakasato, 100th Infantry Battalion Co. A].  (Photo courtesy Pat Thomson)

After the Legacy Speakers, Rick Jackson of Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii played Danny Boy and Amazing Grace on the bagpipe, both songs that the veterans loved.

We are grateful to ‘Ōlelo Community Media for livestreaming the service, making it available on YouTube, and rebroadcasting it on 4 different days and times. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNp01sDrNIw&t=2083s

In time, it will be available on the ŌleloNet on Demand service on https://olelo.org/olelonet/. Justin Kuwamura [nephew of George Kuwamura (B)] was the producer for this Joint Memorial Service and was a pleasure to work with. 

We received a lot of positive comments about the service. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers and participants, and all who contributed to a successful 19th Joint Memorial Service. This service would not have been possible without all the volunteers, and I thank you. I also thank you for attending or watching online, our Joint Memorial Service to honor the men of the 100th, 442nd, MIS and 1399th.