JAVA

Japanese American Veterans Association

We are an educational, patriotic, fraternal organization dedicated to maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom. Our members include veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. Although the majority of our members are Americans of Japanese Ancestry, our members are not exclusively Japanese Americans.

President's Message

Howard S. High

As part of our commitment to achieving the third goal of JAVA’s strategic plan—enhancing our public visibility—the Executive Council has been actively working on new projects and activities designed to elevate JAVA’s presence in the community.

We are seeking dedicated volunteers to join our team to bring these initiatives to life. We particularly need members with videography, photography, sound recording, editing, and online streaming skills. Additionally, we welcome those with solid organizational abilities to assist with event planning and management.

If you have other talents or expertise that could benefit JAVA, please get in touch with our Executive Director at javapotomac@gmail.com. Your involvement could play a crucial role in driving JAVA forward as we continue to honor and preserve the legacy of our veterans.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication.

Nisei Legacy

The Japanese American Experience in WWII and Its Legacy

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, mass hysteria erupted in America against all persons of Japanese ancestry. Nisei (American-born children of Japanese immigrants) were viewed as innately disloyal and were barred from enlisting in the armed forces. The 1,432 Nisei who were already in the U.S. Army in Hawaiʻi were placed in the 100th Infantry Battalion and shipped to Wisconsin for training and subsequently deployed to Italy for combat. Mike Masaoka, Executive Secretary of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), encouraged the Nisei to petition the government to allow them to serve in combat to prove their loyalty.

Masaoka believed a strong performance by the Nisei in combat was the best weapon to defeat racism and prejudice. In response to these petitions and the exemplary training record of the 100th Infantry Battalion, in early 1943 the U.S. Army formed the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, consisting of 4,000 volunteers from Hawaiʻi and the mainland, many from internment camps.