Shuji Akiyama
Labels:
442,
army,
attack,
Hawaii,
medal of honor; war,
pearl harbor
While working here in Honolulu, we received a call from one of our client's granddaughters who would be bringing her grandfather for some personal business.
I have no idea why but after seeing him on the appointment calendar, I Googled his name (Shuji Akiyama) and low and behold I found myself looking at a notable part of American history.
Mr. Akiyama is a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who had fought in World War 2 in the European theater. Born November 25, 1921 on the big Island of Hawaii, he came to Honolulu to continue his education.
Here is a nice video narrative in his own words. https://vimeo.com/50815876
Shuji was 20 years old when, on December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, severely damaging 4 battleships and sinking 4 more along with 3 cruisers and 3 destroyers. Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack.
Along with several more Japanese-Hawaiians, Mr Akiyama volunteered for the U S Army and found himself traveling across the U S mainland headed for Camp Shelby, Mississippi for training and later on in fierce fighting in France with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
"The 442nd fought their most famous battle in France where they rescued the "Lost Battalion" breaking through the line to rescue 211 men that were cut off by German troops. The 522nd FAB also participated in the drive into Bavaria which freed inmates from Dachau prison that was being marched to their death. The 442nd, including the 100th, was the most highly decorated unit in the history of the United States for its size and length of service." Source at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/030437 .
I have no idea why but after seeing him on the appointment calendar, I Googled his name (Shuji Akiyama) and low and behold I found myself looking at a notable part of American history.
Mr. Akiyama is a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who had fought in World War 2 in the European theater. Born November 25, 1921 on the big Island of Hawaii, he came to Honolulu to continue his education.
Here is a nice video narrative in his own words. https://vimeo.com/50815876
Shuji was 20 years old when, on December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, severely damaging 4 battleships and sinking 4 more along with 3 cruisers and 3 destroyers. Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack.
Along with several more Japanese-Hawaiians, Mr Akiyama volunteered for the U S Army and found himself traveling across the U S mainland headed for Camp Shelby, Mississippi for training and later on in fierce fighting in France with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
"The 442nd fought their most famous battle in France where they rescued the "Lost Battalion" breaking through the line to rescue 211 men that were cut off by German troops. The 522nd FAB also participated in the drive into Bavaria which freed inmates from Dachau prison that was being marched to their death. The 442nd, including the 100th, was the most highly decorated unit in the history of the United States for its size and length of service." Source at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/030437 .
He was honored in France as well.
I am sure he never dreamed in his youth that he would be thrust into
such a role in life. It was a role he never planned and during battle,
probably had only one goal and that was to live another day. We can not control what life throws at you but you can control how you respond and he tesponded with courage.
Mr Akiyama is very hard of hearing now and had some difficulty understanding me but his granddaughter would lean to his ear and reiterate my questions.
Still, I was very honored to meet him.
Mr Akiyama is very hard of hearing now and had some difficulty understanding me but his granddaughter would lean to his ear and reiterate my questions.
Still, I was very honored to meet him.
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