US Army Promotes Japanese American Soldiers Posthumously Despite Being Labeled 'Enemy Aliens'
In a solemn ceremony, the US Army will promote seven Japanese American soldiers to officer ranks, more than eight decades after their deaths in World War II. The men, who were initially barred from military service due to their Japanese heritage and deemed "enemy aliens," went on to serve in one of the most decorated units in US history - the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Their story is a poignant reminder of the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during wartime. In 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, prompting the US government to bar most Japanese Americans from service and deeming them enemy aliens. However, seven students at the University of Hawaii and cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) refused to be intimidated. Instead, they joined a civilian labor battalion known as "Varsity Victory Volunteers," performing tasks such as digging ditches and breaking rocks.
Their dedication paid off when American leaders announced the formation of a segregated Japanese American regiment. The seven men - Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, and Howard Urabe - went on to become part of this unit, which became one of the most decorated units in US history.
Tragically, all but one of the men were killed during the campaign to liberate Italy from Nazi Germany. Their sacrifice was not in vain, as they played a crucial role in fighting for their country and its ideals. Despite being labeled "enemy aliens," they showed remarkable loyalty and commitment to their nation.
The US Army's decision to promote these soldiers posthumously is a long-overdue recognition of their bravery and dedication. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and honoring the contributions of all Americans, regardless of their background or heritage.
As Lt. Col. Jerrod Melander, who previously led the University of Hawaii's ROTC program, noted, "Their service in the ultimate capacity of giving their lives for the country should be recognized." The university had already awarded them posthumous degrees in 2012, but this promotion marks a significant step towards official recognition.
The ceremony comes amid growing concern about efforts to whitewash American history. The Trump administration's campaign to strip out content celebrating women and minority groups is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and equality.
As Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, aptly put it, "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 promotion of these Japanese American soldiers is a testament to that principle.
In a solemn ceremony, the US Army will promote seven Japanese American soldiers to officer ranks, more than eight decades after their deaths in World War II. The men, who were initially barred from military service due to their Japanese heritage and deemed "enemy aliens," went on to serve in one of the most decorated units in US history - the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Their story is a poignant reminder of the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during wartime. In 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, prompting the US government to bar most Japanese Americans from service and deeming them enemy aliens. However, seven students at the University of Hawaii and cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) refused to be intimidated. Instead, they joined a civilian labor battalion known as "Varsity Victory Volunteers," performing tasks such as digging ditches and breaking rocks.
Their dedication paid off when American leaders announced the formation of a segregated Japanese American regiment. The seven men - Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, and Howard Urabe - went on to become part of this unit, which became one of the most decorated units in US history.
Tragically, all but one of the men were killed during the campaign to liberate Italy from Nazi Germany. Their sacrifice was not in vain, as they played a crucial role in fighting for their country and its ideals. Despite being labeled "enemy aliens," they showed remarkable loyalty and commitment to their nation.
The US Army's decision to promote these soldiers posthumously is a long-overdue recognition of their bravery and dedication. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and honoring the contributions of all Americans, regardless of their background or heritage.
As Lt. Col. Jerrod Melander, who previously led the University of Hawaii's ROTC program, noted, "Their service in the ultimate capacity of giving their lives for the country should be recognized." The university had already awarded them posthumous degrees in 2012, but this promotion marks a significant step towards official recognition.
The ceremony comes amid growing concern about efforts to whitewash American history. The Trump administration's campaign to strip out content celebrating women and minority groups is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and equality.
As Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, aptly put it, "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 promotion of these Japanese American soldiers is a testament to that principle.
I'm so stoked about this! It's crazy how many years have passed since those guys were unfairly labeled as "enemy aliens" just because of their heritage. They went on to do some seriously heroic stuff and deserved way more recognition back in the day 
. Promoting them posthumously is a huge deal, it shows that the US Army finally acknowledges the importance of diversity and inclusivity in American history 
. We need more stories like this to be told and recognized, so we don't forget about people who've been marginalized or overlooked 
. It's also super sad that it took so long for this recognition, but at least now we can give these heroes the respect they deserve 
.
but now, years later, they're finally getting the recognition they deserve 
i mean, what's next? will they also give honorary medals to all the people who helped with the Varsity Victory Volunteers 
they paved the way for all us americans and it's not just about them its about acknowledging our history and being inclusive
They were like, totally maligned because of their heritage but they still served their country with honor! It's crazy to think about how much they gave up and risked for the US - it's a huge reminder of what we're fighting for. The fact that it took so long for them to get official recognition is just wild 
, but I'm glad it's happening now. We should be celebrating their bravery and sacrifice, not still trying to erase parts of our history 
. It's all about acknowledging everyone's contributions, no matter who they are! 
they were labeled as enemy aliens despite serving their country with loyalty and bravery 
it's amazing to see that their story is being told and remembered 
. Eight decades is, like, forever! But still, it's about time we acknowledge the injustices of our past and give props to those who paved the way for us 
. I mean, who would have thought that people with Japanese heritage could become heroes and serve their country? It's a beautiful reminder that America is made up of so many different stories and experiences, and everyone deserves to be celebrated 
.
. It's like, no way, we're gonna make sure that everyone knows about the struggles of Japanese Americans during WWII and honor their contributions 
️.
And can we talk about how long it took for the US Army to finally give them the recognition they deserve? Like, eight decades?! That's crazy! 
and then they go on to serve with honor and distinction, earning some serious decorations for it 
. It's also crazy how much history is getting whitewashed, trying to erase the contributions of people like these guys 
and others who didn't fit into some narrow narrative of what America is all about 
. The US Army's decision to promote them is a huge step towards acknowledging that everyone deserves recognition for their bravery and service 
.
, you guys! Like I know we've talked about this before, but it's crazy to think that people were treated like this in the 40s because of their heritage 
. And the fact that these guys were part of one of the most decorated units in US history is just amazing 
.
. It's not just about whitewashing history, it's about being honest with ourselves and each other about where we come from and what we've learned from our mistakes 
.
. Sorry, guys!
. The fact that these guys were labeled "enemy aliens" just because of where they came from is just crazy 
. But hey, at least we're acknowledging their bravery now 
. We should be giving a big round of applause for these 7 guys 
. It's a dark part of American history that needs to be acknowledged and learned from.
. I mean, these guys were already getting recognition posthumously in 2012... what took so long for the Army to give them their official stripes? 
. There are so many complex stories and struggles out there, and we need to start telling them all, not just the ones that fit into our narrow narratives.