Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Japanese-American Soldiers

442nd Infantry RCT, World War II Memorial

— Korean War Dead - 1950 to '53 —

In Sacred Memory Marker image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

1. In Sacred Memory Marker

Inscription.

Japanese-American Soldiers. 442nd Infantry RCT, World War II Memorial. . Text on the plaque attached to the south face of the base beneath the tall column in the northwest corner [traditionally the Japanese/Japanese-American section of the cemetery]: . In Sacred Memory. This memorial is reverently placed here by the Japanese American Community, under the auspices of the Southern California Burial and Memorial Committee, in memory of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought, suffered, and died in World War II that liberty, justice, and equal opportunity in the pursuit of happiness might come to all democratic and peace-loving people everywhere regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.. . . Plaque mounted at the left side of column: . "Those who lie here gave their lives that this country, beset my its enemies, might win out of their sacrifice, victory and peace. We, who are in their debt, salute them." . Signature of Dwight D. Eisenhower . General of the Army, U.S.A. . . Yoshiharu N. Aoyama . Frank N. Arikawa . Hiroo H. Endo . Arthur M. Fukuoka . George Gushiken . Stanley K. Hayami . Joe H. Hayashi . Minoru Ishida . Joe Y. Kadoyama . John S. Kanazawa . Frank Kanda . James S. Karatsu . Yasuo Kenmotsu . Paul T. Kimura . Paul T. Kitsuse . Shaw Kojaku . Nobuo Komoto . Henry M. Condo . Harry F. Madokoro . Kiyoshi K. Muranaga . John S. Kimura . . These Sons from the Battlefields are Buried Elsewhere. : John Akimoto . Victor Akimota Ted T. Fujioka . Henry T. Furushiro . Teruo Hozaki . Two names obstructed by grass . John J. Kato . George Kawano . Ben Masaoka . Kazud Masuda . John Ogawa . Two names obstructed by grass . . Plaque mounted on the east side of column column base: . "The soldiers who lie here symbolize the loyalty and courage of Nisei Troops under my wartime command in Italy. I salute them. May they rest in honored peace". . Signature of Gen. Mark W. Clark, U.S. Army . Mark W. Clark . General, U.S.A. . . Sadao S. Munemori . Robert K. Nakasaki . Tom T. Nishimoto . Katsu Okida . Susumu Okura . Calvin T. Saito . George S. Saito . Atsushi Sakamoto . Masao Shigezane . Akira R. Shimatsu . Joe A. Shiomichi . Shigeo Tabuchi . Iwoa A. Takahashi . Kei Tanahashi . Ted T. Tanouye . Theodore T. Tezuka . Harry H. Tokushima . Mitsuru Yeto . Tatsuo Yoshizaki . These Sons From the Battlefields are Buried Elsewhere.. Lloyd Onouye . William Samonji . George M. Shikata . Togo Sugiyama . Katsumi Y. Sase . Isao Tsuno . Tsuyoshi Yamamoto . Fred S. Yasuda . Hitoshi Yonemura . Makoto Yoshihara . Thomas T. Yamazaki . . Plaque mounted on the west side base of the monument column: . Korean War Dead 1950 to '53. Samuel A. Fujii . Kenichi Hamaguchi . Aranari Hiraga . Louis M. Hirata . Tomio Honda . Takeshi Inouye . Tetsuo Kunitomi . Shigetoshi Kusuda . Shozo Kuwahara . Jimmy Mayemura . Kiyoshi Mine . Wataru Nakamura . Dick S. Nakashimi . Muneo Ohye . Ray Ito . . Plaque mounted at the far right [east] base of the monument: . Korean War Dead 1950 to ‘53. Takaki Nishihara . Tohoru Nishikawa . Tadashi Obana . Edward Oshiro . Bill M. Otomo . Robert Shinde . Toru T. Takai . Oasmu Tamura . Yukio Tanouye . Archie M. Uno . Takaya Uragami . Joichi Yamashita . Don Yumori . Hiroshi Shibao . Tohoru T. Takai . This historical marker was erected in 1949 by Japanese American Community. It is in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County California

Text on the plaque attached to the south face of the base beneath the tall column in the northwest corner [traditionally the Japanese/Japanese-American section of the cemetery]:
In Sacred Memory This memorial is reverently placed here by the Japanese American Community, under the auspices of the Southern California Burial and Memorial Committee, in memory of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought, suffered, and died in World War II that liberty, justice, and equal opportunity in the pursuit of happiness might come to all democratic and peace-loving people everywhere regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.

Plaque mounted at the left side of column:
"Those who lie here gave their lives that this country, beset my its enemies, might win out of their sacrifice, victory and peace. We, who are in their debt, salute them."
Signature of Dwight D. Eisenhower
General of the Army, U.S.A.

Yoshiharu N. Aoyama • Frank N. Arikawa • Hiroo H. Endo • Arthur M. Fukuoka • George Gushiken • Stanley K. Hayami • Joe H. Hayashi •

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mark S. Clark Plaques image. Click for full size.

2. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mark S. Clark Plaques

Minoru Ishida • Joe Y. Kadoyama • John S. Kanazawa • Frank Kanda • James S. Karatsu • Yasuo Kenmotsu • Paul T. Kimura • Paul T. Kitsuse • Shaw Kojaku • Nobuo Komoto • Henry M. Condo • Harry F. Madokoro • Kiyoshi K. Muranaga • John S. Kimura

These Sons from the Battlefields are Buried Elsewhere: John Akimoto • Victor Akimota Ted T. Fujioka • Henry T. Furushiro • Teruo Hozaki • Two names obstructed by grass • John J. Kato • George Kawano • Ben Masaoka • Kazud Masuda • John Ogawa • Two names obstructed by grass

Plaque mounted on the east side of column column base:
"The soldiers who lie here symbolize the loyalty and courage of Nisei Troops under my wartime command in Italy. I salute them. May they rest in honored peace".
Signature of Gen. Mark W. Clark, U.S. Army
Mark W. Clark
General, U.S.A.

Sadao S. Munemori • Robert K. Nakasaki • Tom T. Nishimoto • Katsu Okida • Susumu Okura • Calvin T. Saito • George S. Saito • Atsushi Sakamoto • Masao Shigezane • Akira R. Shimatsu • Joe A. Shiomichi • Shigeo Tabuchi • Iwoa A. Takahashi • Kei Tanahashi • Ted T. Tanouye • Theodore T. Tezuka • Harry H. Tokushima • Mitsuru Yeto • Tatsuo Yoshizaki
These Sons From the Battlefields are Buried Elsewhere. Lloyd Onouye • William Samonji • George M.

The Two Korean War Dead Plaques image. Click for full size.

3. The Two Korean War Dead Plaques

Shikata • Togo Sugiyama • Katsumi Y. Sase • Isao Tsuno • Tsuyoshi Yamamoto • Fred S. Yasuda • Hitoshi Yonemura • Makoto Yoshihara • Thomas T. Yamazaki

Plaque mounted on the west side base of the monument column:
Korean War Dead 1950 to '53 Samuel A. Fujii • Kenichi Hamaguchi • Aranari Hiraga • Louis M. Hirata • Tomio Honda • Takeshi Inouye • Tetsuo Kunitomi • Shigetoshi Kusuda • Shozo Kuwahara • Jimmy Mayemura • Kiyoshi Mine • Wataru Nakamura • Dick S. Nakashimi • Muneo Ohye • Ray Ito

Plaque mounted at the far right [east] base of the monument:
Korean War Dead 1950 to ‘53 Takaki Nishihara • Tohoru Nishikawa • Tadashi Obana • Edward Oshiro • Bill M. Otomo • Robert Shinde • Toru T. Takai • Oasmu Tamura • Yukio Tanouye • Archie M. Uno • Takaya Uragami • Joichi Yamashita • Don Yumori • Hiroshi Shibao • Tohoru T. Takai

Erected 1949 by Japanese American Community.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Heroes • War, Korean • War, World II.

Location. 34° 2.544′ N, 118° 12.024′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. Memorial can be reached from North Evergreen Avenue

Medal of Honor Recipient Ted T. Tanouye grave site. image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, June 26, 2006

4. Medal of Honor Recipient Ted T. Tanouye grave site.

Ted T. Tanouye is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Section A, Lot 2734

north of East First Street, on the right when traveling north. The monument is located inside the Evergreen Memorial Park & Crematory in the community traditionally known as "Boyle Heights" in East Los Angeles. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 North Evergreen Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chinese Cemetery Shrine (approx. 0.4 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); General Hospital (approx. 1.4 miles away); San Antonio Winery (approx. 2 miles away); In Memory of Our Ancestors (approx. 2.2 miles away); Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (approx. 2.2 miles away); Honoring The Lives (approx. 2.3 miles away); Latino Blood, American Hearts (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Also see . . .
1. Find A Grave Posting of the Monument. Photos display all four markers and wide area views. (Submitted on February 25, 2013.)

2. Evergreen Cemetery. A map showing the location of famous graves and monuments. (Submitted on February 25, 2013.)

Additional comments.
1. Joe H. Hayashi, Medal of Honor Recipient
His Medal of Honor Citation:
Private Joe Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 20 and 22 April 1945, near Tendola, Italy. On 20 April 1945,

The 442nd Infantry World War II Memorial - statue of a Nisei soldier atop the high pedestal image. Click for full size.

By Richard E. Miller, April 26, 2014

5. The 442nd Infantry World War II Memorial - statue of a Nisei soldier atop the high pedestal

in the traditionally Japanese/Japanese-American Section "A" near the northwestern corner of the Evergreen Cemetery between No. Evergreen Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue [formerly, Brooklyn Avenue] in the community of East Los Angeles[formerly, the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.]

ordered to attack a strongly defended hill that commanded all approaches to the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi skillfully led his men to a point within 75 yards of enemy positions before they were detected and fired upon. After dragging his wounded comrades to safety, he returned alone and exposed himself to small arms fire in order to direct and adjust mortar fire against hostile emplacements. Boldly attacking the hill with the remaining men of his squad, he attained his objective and discovered that the mortars had neutralized three machine guns, killed 27 men, and wounded many others. On 22 April 1945, attacking the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi maneuvered his squad up a steep, terraced hill to within 100 yards of the enemy. Crawling under intense fire to a hostile machine gun position, he threw a grenade, killing one enemy soldier and forcing the other members of the gun crew to surrender. Seeing four enemy machine guns delivering deadly fire upon other elements of his platoon, he threw another grenade, destroying a machine gun nest. He then crawled to the right flank of another machine gun position where he killed four enemy soldiers and forced the others to flee. Attempting to pursue the enemy, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine pistol fire. The dauntless courage and exemplary leadership of Private Hayashi enabled his company to attain its objective.

442nd Infantry Memorial image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

6. 442nd Infantry Memorial

Private Hayashi's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army

— Submitted February 25, 2013.

2. Kiyoshi K. Muranga, Medal of Honor Recipient
His Medal of Honor Citaion:
Private First Class Kiyoshi K. Muranaga distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 26 June 1944, near Suvereto, Italy. Private First Class Muranaga's company encountered a strong enemy force in commanding positions and with superior firepower. An enemy 88mm self-propelled gun opened direct fire on the company, causing the men to disperse and seek cover. Private First Class Muranaga's mortar squad was ordered to action, but the terrain made it impossible to set up their weapons. The squad leader, realizing the vulnerability of the mortar position, moved his men away from the gun to positions of relative safety. Because of the heavy casualties being inflicted on his company, Private First Class Muranaga, who served as a gunner, attempted to neutralize the 88mm weapon alone. Voluntarily remaining at his gun position, Private First Class Muranaga manned the mortar himself and opened fire on the enemy gun at a range of approximately 400 yards. With his third round,

442nd Infantry Memorial and Grave Sites image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

7. 442nd Infantry Memorial and Grave Sites

The monument is visible in the distance.

he was able to correct his fire so that the shell landed directly in front of the enemy gun. Meanwhile, the enemy crew, immediately aware of the source of mortar fire, turned their 88mm weapon directly on Private First Class Muranaga's position. Before Private First Class Muranaga could fire a fourth round, an 88mm shell scored a direct hit on his position, killing him instantly. Because of the accuracy of Private First Class Muranaga's previous fire, the enemy soldiers decided not to risk further exposure and immediately abandoned their position. Private First Class Muranaga's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

— Submitted February 25, 2013.

3. Sadao S. Munemori Medal of Honor Recipient
His Medal of Honor Citation:
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A,
100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Combat Team. Place and date: Near Seravezza, Italy, 5 April 1945. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif Birth: Los Angeles, Calif. G.O. No.. 24, 7 March 1946. Citation: He fought with great gallantry and intrepidity near Seravezza, Italy. When his unit was pinned down by grazing fire from the enemy's strong mountain defense

Medal of Honor Recipient Joe H. Hayashi Grave Site image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

8. Medal of Honor Recipient Joe H. Hayashi Grave Site

Joe H. Hayashi is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Section A, Lot 2734.

and command of the squad devolved on him with the wounding of its regular leader, he made frontal, l-man attacks through direct fire and knocked out 2 machineguns with grenades Withdrawing under murderous fire and showers of grenades from other enemy emplacements, he had nearly reached a shell crater occupied by 2 of his men when an unexploded grenade bounced on his helmet and rolled toward his helpless comrades. He arose into the withering fire, dived for the missile and smothered its blast with his body. By his swift, supremely heroic action Pfc. Munemori saved 2 of his men at the cost of his own life and did much to clear the path for his company's victorious advance.

— Submitted February 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.

4. Ted T. Tanouye Medal of Honor Recipiant
His Medal of Honor Citation:
Technical Sergeant Ted T. Tanouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 7 July 1944, near Molino A Ventoabbto, Italy. Technical Sergeant Tanouye led his platoon in an attack to capture the crest of a strategically important hill that afforded little cover. Observing an enemy machine gun crew placing its gun in position to his left front, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crept forward a few yards and opened fire on the position, killing or wounding three

Medal of Honor Recipient Kiyoshi K. Muranga Grave Site image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

9. Medal of Honor Recipient Kiyoshi K. Muranga Grave Site

Kiyoshi K. Muranga is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Section A, Lot 2734.

and causing two others to disperse. Immediately, an enemy machine pistol opened fire on him. He returned the fire and killed or wounded three more enemy soldiers. While advancing forward, Technical Sergeant Tanouye was subjected to grenade bursts, which severely wounded his left arm. Sighting an enemy-held trench, he raked the position with fire from his submachine gun and wounded several of the enemy. Running out of ammunition, he crawled 20 yards to obtain several clips from a comrade on his left flank. Next, sighting an enemy machine pistol that had pinned down his men, Technical Sergeant Tanouye crawled forward a few yards and threw a hand grenade into the position, silencing the pistol. He then located another enemy machine gun firing down the slope of the hill, opened fire on it, and silenced that position. Drawing fire from a machine pistol nest located above him, he opened fire on it and wounded three of its occupants. Finally taking his objective, Technical Sergeant Tanouye organized a defensive position on the reverse slope of the hill before accepting first aid treatment and evacuation. Technical Sergeant Tanouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

— Submitted February 26,
By Don Morfe, June 26, 2006

10. Medal of Honor Recipient Sadao Munemori Grave site.
Sadao Munemoria is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Section A, Lot 2718
2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.

Additional keywords. Nisei

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,373 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2013, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 4. submitted on February 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on May 20, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on January 29, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on January 30, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 10. submitted on February 26, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.