Announcing the 2020 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Program: Celebrating the Legacy of World War II Nisei Military Service and Encouraging Future Military and Public Service

The Japanese American Veterans Association announces its annual Memorial Scholarship Program for 2020. The scholarships will benefit a range of graduating high school seniors, advanced undergraduate students, and post graduate and professional education students.

The scholarships include The Inouye Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) honoring the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service; the JAVA Founder’s Scholarship ($3,000), which is awarded in memory of JAVA’s founder, Colonel Sunao Phil Ishio, USAR, his wife Constance and his son Douglas Ishio; the Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship ($2,000), a tribute to Ms. Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin, a longtime supporter of JAVA; as well as JAVA Memorial Scholarships ($1,500), honoring former JAVA veteran members and/or their family members. The 2020 JAVA Memorial Scholarships are:

Ranger Grant Hirabayashi Scholarship, in honor of Ranger Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, MIS.
Colonel Jimmie Kanaya Scholarship, in honor of Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, a three-war veteran – WW II, Korean and Vietnam.
Mitsugi Kasai Scholarship, in honor of CWO 4 Mitsugi Murakami Kasai, MIS veteran.
Ben Kuroki Scholarship in honor of Sergeant Ben Kuroki, a gunner in the US Army Air Corps, 505th Bombardment Group.
Matsui Scholarship in honor of Victor Matsui, MIS veteran, and his wife Teru.

Robert Nakamoto Scholarship, in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Bob Nakamoto.
Major Mike Okusa Scholarship in honor of Major Muneo Michael Okusa, MIS veteran, and founding member of JAVA.
Betty Shima Scholarship, in honor of Betty Fujita Shima, lifelong partner of 442nd veteran, Terry Shima.
Shirey Scholarship, in honor of Major Orville Shirey, 442nd veteran and wife Maud Shirey.

Descendants of those who served in the 100th Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, Engineer Construction Battalion, or other United States military unit, including the Women’s Army Corps or Army Nurses Corps. Current members of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2018 are eligible to apply. Children of current JAVA members may also be eligible to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2018. In the case of the Senator Inouye Memorial Scholarship, past or present members of the Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry (USAR), are encouraged to apply. Applicants should demonstrate their lifelong commitment to public and uniformed service leadership for the nation.

Applicants should first review published rules and forms. Applications and supporting documents must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, to javascholarship222@gmail.com with either “2020 Inouye Memorial Scholarship,” “2020 Founder’s Memorial Scholarship,” "Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship," or “2020 JAVA Memorial Scholarship” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. Applications not received by that date or that fail to meet the submission requirements will NOT be considered. Applicants will be notified of a decision by early June 2020. Awards will be presented at the annual JAVA scholarship luncheon on July 18, 2020.

2020 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Program Overview here.

2020 US Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship here.

2020 Founder's Scholarship here.

2020 Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship here.

2020 JAVA Memorial Scholarships here.

Scholarship information can also be found on the JAVA website:

https://java.wildapricot.org.