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

Washington, DC.

Exciting developments are on the horizon for JAVA, and we are proud to share two important updates with you:

1. Special “Victory in Europe” Edition of the e-Advocate

Later this month, we will release a special edition of the e-Advocate to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. This edition will reflect on the end of WWII in Europe, spotlighting key events, stories, and legacies tied to this historic milestone.

A highlight of the issue will be JAVA’s participation in the dedication of a new monument in Germany honoring the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. Detached from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 522nd was involved in a very unexpected activity in Germany. Their actions—still unfamiliar to many—were profound and eternal. We hope you will find their story both powerful and enlightening.

2. Save the Date: Day of Affirmation – July 15, 2025

On July 15, JAVA will host its annual Day of Affirmation in Washington, D.C., honoring the legacy of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team.

We are deeply honored to announce that Colonel (Ret.) Paris Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient, will join us in paying tribute to these brave men. The day will begin with a commemorative ceremony at the National WWII Memorial and conclude with a luncheon at the historic Army Navy Club, where Colonel Davis will deliver the keynote address. Mark your calendars—this will be a memorable and inspiring event.

JAVA continues to develop new programs and initiatives to honor our veterans and educate future generations. Stay connected—we’re just getting started.

A new plaque was placed at a memorial May 2, 2025, at a ceremony outside Waakirchen, Germany, for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of prisoners on the Nazi death march from the Dachau concentration camp. The event, presented by the German War Graves Commission, placed a plaque honoring the Soldiers of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, at the time part of 7th U.S. Army, who along with units of the 4th Infantry Division liberated thousands of prisoners near this location on May 2, 1945. Photo: Maj. Jonathon Lewis, 7th Army Training Command. Source: DVIDS.

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.