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 Robert Nakamoto Scholarship in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Bob Nakamoto. The Nakamoto Scholarship is sponsored by his children. It is one of the $1,500 JAVA Memorial Scholarships that will be awarded to a high school senior who will be entering either 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.
Robert Nakamoto
Robert Nakamoto was born November 2, 1931, in Sacramento, California to George Nakamoto and Virginia Hirakawa Nakamoto and was the oldest of eight siblings. He and his family were interned at Camp Topaz in Utah during World War II. Known as Bob, he graduated from Placer High School in Auburn, California, where he was inducted into the Placer High School Hall of Fame. Following graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Three of his younger brothers—Vic, George, and Donald—followed Bob’s lead and served in the U.S. military. Bob went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Sacramento.
After completing college, Bob moved east to take positions in personnel management and information technology at different federal and state government levels as well as the private sector. In time, he founded and was Chairman of Base Technologies Inc., an information technology company, headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Bob also had served as Director of Corporate Systems, MCI; Deputy Commissioner for Planning for the state of Texas; Director of Planning for Medicare and Medicaid Programs for the Federal Government; and Manager of Data Processing for the State of California and Sacramento County. He served on Presidential Task Force for both parties.
Bob Nakamoto was deeply involved in veterans and community activities nationwide supporting them with his time, executive expertise, and contributions. An exemplary President of JAVA, Bob received the Terry Shima Leadership Award for his visionary governance. After his presidency, Bob served as the Chair of JAVA’s Finance Committee and was involved with JAVA’s Speakers Bureau to publicize the Japanese American experience during WW II. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Japanese American Citizens League. Bob received various awards, including the Government of Japan Foreign Minister’s Award in recognition of his efforts to enhance Japan-US relations.
Robert Nakamoto is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
[Ed Note: Robert Nakamoto participated in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project]
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 a JAVA Scholarship
- Applicants should first review published rules and forms. Applications and supporting documents must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, 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.
