Vol. 7, No. 88, June 17, 2025
JAVA sincerely appreciates all of the wonderful articles received for our special V-E Day e-Advocate. Due to the number of articles received, we were unable to publish all of them in a single e-Advocate. Therefore, we are going to publish five articles every week during June. We promise you an interesting read every week and all articles that we received will be published.
In This Issue…
- 80th Anniversary of the liberation of prisoners from Dachau concentration camp death march, MAJ Jonathan Lewis
- V-E Day Reflections, JAVA member & EdD candidate, Mr. Michael Posey
- Carrying forward the legacy of the 100th INF BN/442nd RCT, MAJ Christian Peralta
- 2025 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony – June 28, 2025 (Facebook Live)
80th Anniversary of the liberation of prisoners from Dachau march
Bayern, Germany
Written by MAJ Jonathon Lewis, U.S. Army, 7th Army Training Command
Waakirchen, Germany – U.S. Congress, U.S. State Department, and U.S. Army members joined the German War Graves Commission, the Japanese American Veterans Association, local German mayors, leaders, and community members May 2, 2025, for a ceremony to honor the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion and remember the concentration camp prisoners they liberated near here 80 years ago.
The ceremony opened with prayers and included placement of a new plaque and laying of wreaths honoring the 522nd for their liberation of the death march prisoners. Afterward, ceremony participants heard remarks by U.S. and German leaders, and music by local students at a nearby restaurant.
On May 2, 1945, as U.S. troops approached, the SS abandoned the death march survivors on the road, where the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, along with units of the 4th Infantry Division, rescued 2,700 to 3,300 mostly Jewish prisoners from Dachau, along with 990 German political prisoners, and 100 Russian and Polish prisoners. Together with another group rescued by a different unit nearby, approximately 6,300 were rescued – fewer than half of the over 14,000 that started the death march from Dachau.
The 522nd Field Artillery Battalion was part of the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and for the last year of the war, the 442nd was assigned to 7th U.S. Army. The 522nd, like the 442nd, was composed entirely of Japanese Americans, who came from both Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Most of the 442nd had family members who were interned in camps in the U.S., and some joined the Army while they were interned in the camps themselves. They fought against Nazi Germany’s Wehrmacht and other Axis forces all over Europe during the war, distinguishing themselves as the most decorated combat unit for its size and length of service, in the history of the U.S. military.
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye fought with the 442nd. His was one of 21 Medals of Honor awarded to members of the 442nd during World War Two. After the war he went to law school in Washington, D.C., where he met and became friends with Peter Tali Coleman, another law student and the future governor of American Samoa. His daughter, U.S. Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, spoke at the ceremony honoring the 522nd.
“Sen. Inouye was close friends with my father, so it’s very personal to me that we honor these Japanese American Soldiers,” said Radewagen. “The 522nd was assigned to 7th Army to support the Allied advance into Germany,” she said. “Today we memorialize their role in rescuing and restoring these prisoners after the terrible crimes committed against them.”
Radewagen spoke of another family connection to Dachau. Her father-in-law Hobart Radewagen was a member of the 20th Armored Division, one of the units that liberated Dachau’s main camp, and he earned a Bronze Star for actions during combat with the SS during the liberation of the camp. “We can look at these events and understand why these Soldiers were known as the Greatest Generation.”
“Eighty years ago, on this quiet stretch of Bavarian countryside, American Soldiers of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion brought relief and dignity to the victims of one of history’s darkest crimes,” said Dr. James Miller, Consul General, U.S. Consulate Munich. “What those Soldiers found here, between Waakirchen and Reichersbeuern, shocked even the most seasoned among them. Nonetheless, they found within themselves the compassion to provide aid and comfort to the survivors whom they met, whom they had liberated.”
“The liberators – ‘Nisei,’ or the second generation of Japanese Americans – were among the most disciplined and skilled artillerymen in the U.S. Army,” Miller continued. “Today we honor their legacy, not only with words, but with a new memorial and information board that will share this history with all who come here.”
The new plaque was placed beside a memorial to the victims of the death marches, one of more than 20 identical memorials in the Munich area by sculptor Hubertus von Pilgrim. These sculptures memorialize the victims of the death marches, during which the Nazi SS forced concentration camp prisoners on marches away from advancing Allied troops. The sculptures were placed along the routes of the death marches, beginning in 1989. The information board placed nearby tells the story and includes a map and photos of the survivors and liberators.
The SS intended to kill as many prisoners as they could to prevent them from being liberated, as ordered by Heinrich Himmler. Using trains to transport many, the SS who hadn’t deserted by this time force marched the rest of the prisoners further and further south, away from Allied forces, killing more than half along the way. The 522nd put a stop to one of these death marches.
“When Soldiers like those of the 522nd returned home after the war, they rarely spoke about what they had done or what they had seen, but they remembered. Eventually, years later, some of them finally spoke about their experiences, which are essential to our understanding of the Holocaust,” said Ellen Germain, U.S. State Department’s Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues. “Some of those Soldiers recorded oral histories, eyewitness accounts of the atrocities,” she said. “As the number of living Holocaust survivors dwindles and memory of the Second World War fades, we must find new ways to remember and educate future generations.”
Germain said that education about the Holocaust, defending the accurate history of the Holocaust is as important today as it has been since the war. “Indeed it is even more important now, as it is being challenged, despite extensive commitments by many countries including the United States and Germany. Together we must ensure the history and the facts of the Holocaust are not denied or distorted,” Germain continued. “Humanity must not forget the catastrophe that took place during the Holocaust, nor the Soldiers who fought to liberate Europe and rescue the survivors of the concentration camps and death marches.”
It is essential that we remember what happened, and teach it to young people, so that it can never happen again.
[EdNote: Reprinted with permission from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Link to view the original article.}
“Go For Broke”: V-E Day Reflections on the 80th Anniversary
Washington, D.C.
Written by: Michael Posey, JAVA Member & EdD Candidate
On this anniversary of V-E Day, we should reflect on what unites us as Americans. We can look to the Japanese American heroes who fought in World War II as exemplars. President Truman told these Nisei soldiers in a 1946 White House Ceremony for the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, “You not only fought the enemy but prejudice—and you won.” American pride takes many forms, including combating prejudice, something all of us can do. By treating his Nisei soldiers with dignity and respect, the White 442nd RCT commanding officer, Colonel Charles Pence, proved to be an ally, earning the trust of his men as he fought alongside them. We should all strive to lead and mentor others the way that Charles Pence did. The Go for Broke National Education Center, which aims “to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry,” models how to be an ally by telling historical stories of Black American Soldiers and how they, too, fought for the promise of America. Educating each other about history acknowledges our diverse American stories. When we learn about heroes who do not look like us, we realize that the love of this country and the American fighting spirit are not bound by race or gender. Instead, these all-American aims give us unity of purpose. As we reflect on V-E Day, we should all challenge ourselves like the 100th and 442nd RCT did. Let’s “Go for Broke,” and combat prejudice by living courageously and loving our country.
Michael Posey is a member of the Japanese American Veterans Association. He holds business degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Florida. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from the Pennsylvania State University. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.
Carrying Foward the Legacy of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Written by: MAJ Christian M. Peralta, U.S. Army Reserve
First Sergeant Nakoa K. Hoe has exemplified quiet strength and unwavering dedication within the historic 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, for over two decades. His journey is a testament to a powerful legacy built on sacrifice, resilience, and unshakeable loyalty.
Nakoa’s inspiring path began in 2003 when he enlisted in the Army Reserve, motivated by a profound family tradition of service. His father served honorably in Vietnam with the 196th Infantry Brigade, while his older brother, 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe, an active-duty infantry officer, made the ultimate sacrifice in Mosul, Iraq, in 2004. This rich family heritage, combined with his education at the esteemed Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii, instilled in him a strong sense of duty in his country and the battalion.
Joining the unit at a critical time of preparation for deployment, Nakoa vividly recalls how the reality of their upcoming mission heightened his focus and deepened his camaraderie with his fellow Soldiers. Although he faced the heart-wrenching challenge of being held back in the rear detachment after his brother’s passing, he successfully deployed in 2008-2009, executing essential convoy security missions in Iraq with the battalion.
What kept Hoe in the battalion was not merely tradition but a deeply personal commitment to directly influencing and mentoring young Soldiers. Choosing to remain a non-commissioned officer rather than pursuing officer commissioning, he prioritized direct mentorship and actively shaping the next generation of leaders. For Nakoa, this choice is about making a meaningful impact, an essential aspect of leadership that reflects the vibrant spirit of the unit’s esteemed history.
The Battalion’s legendary Nisei Soldiers, who heroically fought through immense prejudice during World War II, continue to motivate Hoe and today’s troops. Their extraordinary legacy teaches resilience and the importance of facing adversity with courage. Nakoa encourages those around him to view challenges not as obstacles but as invaluable opportunities for growth and transformative change.
He expresses deep gratitude to the distinguished veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the original 100th Battalion: “Their examples and sacrifices continue to inspire us profoundly. Knowing others overcame severe hardships motivates us today. We owe it to them to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain, embodying their spirit every day.”
Recently, Nakoa discovered a remarkable familial connection to this revered unit: his grandfather’s cousin served as a commander in the battalion in 1958. This unexpected link deepens his sense of duty, illustrating how personal narratives are intricately woven into the fabric of broader historical legacies.
Through his steadfast dedication and mentorship, First Sergeant Nakoa Hoe is a living embodiment of the enduring legacy of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. He ensures that the invaluable lessons and sacrifices of the past reverberate in the present, setting a powerful example for future generations.
2025 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony
On June 28, 2025, at 3:00 pm EDT / 12:00 pm PDT / 9:00 am HST, on Facebook Live, the Japanese American Veterans Association will proudly award 14 scholarships totaling $25,000 to outstanding students worldwide.
These exceptionally talented and accomplished candidates represent the next generation committed to upholding the Nisei legacy of service and sacrifice to our nation.
- U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) honoring the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service
- Ishio Founder’s Scholarship ($3,000), awarded in memory of JAVA’s founder, Colonel Sunao Phil Ishio, U.S. Army, his wife Constance, and their son Douglas Ishio
- Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship ($2,000), a tribute to Ms. Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin, a longtime supporter of JAVA
- Colonel Jimmie Kanaya Legacy Scholarship ($2,000) in honor of U.S. Army Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, a three-war Veteran – World War II, Korea, and Vietnam
Ten JAVA Memorial Scholarships ($1,500), honoring Nisei veterans, JAVA members, and/or their family members.
- Americo Bugliani Scholarship in honor of his liberator, Paul Sakamoto, 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd RCT Veteran
- Furumoto Family Scholarship in honor of Lilian Kyoko Furumoto, the sister of JAVA member and Vietnam Veteran, Tak Furumoto
- Ranger Grant Hirabayashi Scholarship in honor of Ranger Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, MIS and Ranger Hall of Fame inductee
- Izuno Family Scholarship in honor of JAVA member and Korean War Veteran, Dr. Takumi Izuno who served in the U.S. Army 5th Military Intelligence Service
- Mitsugi Kasai Scholarship in honor of CWO4 Mitsugi Murakami Kasai, MIS Veteran
- Sadami Katahara Scholarship in honor of Sadami Katahara, 100th Infantry Battalion Veteran
- Ben Kuroki Scholarship in honor of Sergeant Ben Kuroki, a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps 505th Bombardment Group
- Vic & Teru Matsui Scholarship in honor of Victor Matsui, MIS Veteran, and his wife, Teru
- COL Virgil Miller Scholarship in honor of Colonel Virgil R. Miller, Commander of the 442nd, who led the Nisei soldiers in their rescue of the Texas “Lost Battalion” in the Vosges Mountains of France during WWII
- Robert Nakamoto Scholarship in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Bob Nakamoto
For more information about our 2024 recipients, please visit our website.
Upcoming JAVA Events
Saturday, June 28, 3:00 PM EDT. 17th Annual JAVA Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Facebook Live.
Tuesday, July 15, 9:00 AM EDT. 6th Annual Day of Affirmation Ceremony, WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C. Luncheon to follow at The Army and Navy Club, 901 Seventeenth St, NW, Washington, D.C., 20006.