Remembering My Father On Memorial Day

Dear NCKA and HOW Bruddahs,

My dad Wallace S. Yamagata wrote this note to me on July 12, 1993, shortly before he passed.

"Dear Michael,
Sending you this book "Bridge of Love"  by John Tsukano for you to read and pass it on to your brother Ryan.
It depicts what your father went through World War II.
I served in the 442nd and 100th Battalions from 3/18/43 to 12/31/45.
I was 19 years old when inducted and discharged when I was 22 years old and married when I was 23 years old.
Love,
Dad"

"By the end of the war, the 442nd had become known as the "Purple Heart Battalion" and has often been cited as the most decorated unit in the army for its size and length of service. In all, the 100th and 442nd received 9,486 Purple Hearts, 8 Presidential Unit Citations, 559 Silver Stars, and 52 Distinguished Service Crosses among many other decorations. In the immediate aftermath of the war, only one member of 442nd received the Medal of Honor, America's highest military honor. However a review in the 1990s resulted in 20 additional Medals of Honors being awarded in 2000. Among the decorations received by the MIS are a Presidential Unit Citation, 5 Silver Stars, and 3 Distinguished Service Crosses.

An estimated 33,000 Japanese Americans served in the military during and immediately after World War II, about 18,000 in the 442nd and 6,000 as part of the MIS. Approximately eight hundred Japanese Americans were killed in action during World War II. "

In Memory of you Dad-my greatest hero and bravest warrior!!

Love,

Michael
Da Bruddah

Thanks for sharing Michael. Sincere Regards to you on this Memorial weekend when we should reflect on those who have served our Country. HURAH, I served inthe Marine Corps.83 to 89.

Alex

Thanks Michael. My Dad sailed into the aftermath of Pearl. Then to Guadalcanal. Always soft spoken about war and the deaths. I salute your Dad. Mines been gone awhile. Still miss him terribly at times.

Thanks for sharing.  My Dad served in the Royal Engineers in the British Army during WW2.  He built and repaired bridges throughout England, France and Belgium much like our Seabees do.  I served on a carrier during 1971 and 1972 off the coast of Viet Nam.  My Dad has been gone for 8 years but Memorial Day always surfaces the memories. Our military members, present and past should never be forgotten for their service to their country.  There will be a flag raised at my home to honor them all.

Very well spoken. Thank you very much for sharing, Michael.

Thinking of my grandpa more than usual this weekend. He served in the Navy through Korea and Vietnam and, along with my dad, was responsible for instilling in me a love of the outdoors and a passion for fishing. I guess I can blame him for this madness ! He will be gone five years this August. Missing you, Papa.

A salute to all of our veterans, both living and departed. Have a great Memorial Day everyone.

The Lost Battalion that the 442nd rescue was a the 142nd from the 36th Infnatry Division for which the 442nd was also attached.  They fought their way in to 142nd to get themout. 

My grandfather fought in WWI, My Uncles were WWII and Vietnam, as for me I enlisted in 1982 as a Reagan Era soldier and after 31 years hope to retire one of these days from the Guard.

salute to your father and all vets

Thank you for sharing your father's story, Michael.  Thank all of you for sharing your stories and honoring those who served us all.