JAVA is profiling the sacrifices and contributions made by the men and women that our JAVA Memorial Scholarship program honors. Today’s issue highlights the Colonel Jimmie Kanaya Scholarship in honor of JAVA member, COL Jimmie Kanaya, a three war veteran. The Kanaya scholarship is sponsored by his wife, Lynn. It is one of the $2,000 JAVA Memorial Scholarships that will be awarded to a high school senior who will be entering a two or four-year college or university in the fall. Application information can be found at the end of the article as well as on the JAVA website.
This scholarship honors Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, U.S. Army (Ret), a three-war, highly decorated veteran who served over 34 years in the military. While assigned to the 100th Battalion /442nd Regimental Combat Team, Kanaya became part of a cadre to create combat medical services. Later while serving in France with the 100th Bn /442nd RCT, he was captured while evacuating the wounded during the Rescue of the Lost Battalion and remained a POW until the end of World War II. Kanaya continued his Army service after WWII. He was part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) during the Allied Occupation of Japan serving as a translator/interrogator at the Far East Command. During the Korean War, he continued in the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section. In Vietnam, Kanaya was attached to the Medical Assistance Advisory Group working with the South Vietnamese to upgrade combat medical services.
Throughout all his years of service, Kanaya was committed to the need for continuing education. For 22 years Kanaya took courses near his Army postings and in time earned enough credits to graduate from college and also received a master’s degree a few years later. He never gave up. Colonel Kanaya retired in 1974 from his last position as Deputy Commandant, Medical Education and Training Campus / Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His service, as with many other 442 veterans, would pave the way for future generations of Japanese Americans serving in the military. Colonel Kanaya passed away at the age of 99 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
JAVA Scholarship Eligibility and Applications
Eligibility:
- Descendants of those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, and the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; and descendants of Japanese American soldiers who served during World War II in other United States military units to include the Women’s Army Corps or Army Nurses Corps are eligible to apply for a JAVA Scholarship.
- Current members of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2023 are eligible to apply. Children of current JAVA members are also eligible to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2023.
- In addition, past or present members of the U.S. Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment are eligible and encouraged to apply for the U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship. Also eligible are individuals enrolled in a college or university Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) or U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course. Applicants should demonstrate their lifelong commitment to public and uniformed service leadership for the nation.
Applications:
- How to Apply for JAVA Scholarships
- 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, April 30, 2025.
- Applications are available online.
- Supporting documents should be sent to [email protected] with either “2025 Inouye Memorial Scholarship,” “2025 Ishio Founder’s Memorial Scholarship,” “2025 JAVA Legacy Scholarship,” or “2025 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 in early June 2025.
- Awards will be presented at a JAVA scholarship awards virtual ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
- Questions about the 2025 JAVA Memorial Scholarship program can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].
Please review: 2025 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Program Overview
2025 U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship.
2025 JAVA Ishio Founder’s Scholarship.