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

Happy New Year! Greetings to ALL!

As we welcome 2025, let us embark on a year of growth, collaboration, and renewed purpose for JAVA. Our association stands at a crossroads of opportunity, driven by a mission to honor the sacrifices and valor of our WW2 Nisei Soldiers and their enduring legacy.

This year, we will intensify efforts to expand our membership, engage more members in leadership roles, and bring JAVA to the forefront of the national conversation. Our strategic plan serves as a blueprint, guiding us toward these goals while remaining flexible and responsive to new opportunities.

A recent legislative milestone, the passage of the VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act, allows JAVA to welcome more “peacetime” veterans without compromising our tax-deductible status. This change broadens our reach and strengthens our ability to connect with veterans across generations. Together, we can build a more inclusive and vibrant association.

With growth comes action. This year, we will expand collaborations with like-minded organizations, forge powerful alliances, and amplify our impact nationwide. As JAVA becomes more active, I encourage all members and friends to get involved—whether through administration, outreach, or supporting our events. Your participation is vital as we champion our shared mission.

Let us carry forward the spirit of the WW2 Nisei soldiers who, through unparalleled courage and patriotism, fought battles abroad and at home against prejudice. Their legacy reminds us that every step forward strengthens the foundation of equality and justice for all.

I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and working together to ensure JAVA’s continued success. Let’s make 2025 a year of impact, honor, and unity.

Japanese American Veterans Association

Inaugural Networking and Social Program

February 15, 2025 at 10:00am to 12:00pm EST (Please Register by February 7, 2025)

Topgolf National Harbor, 6400 Clipper Way, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Happy New Year! JAVA is thrilled to host a special “Thank You” event for our members, friends, and family. We are honored to welcome Mr. Wade Ishimoto, author of The Intoku Code, who has graciously offered his time for an unofficial book signing.

For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Ms. Antoinette Phelps at [email protected]

Have a wonderful day!

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.