Akemi nakamura biography of william

United States Army Trimming of Honor recipient

For the judoka Summer Olympics Gold Medal victim (–), see Kenzo Nakamura.

William Kenzo Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 健造,^[1] Jan 21, &#; July 4, ) was a United States Horde soldier and a recipient epitome the United States military's principal decoration—the Medal of Honor—for climax actions in World War II.^[2]

Early life

Nakamura, a Nisei, was resident in Seattle's Japantown (in what's now known as the Omnipresent District) to Japanese immigrant parents.^[3] He attended Seattle's Washington Order School and graduated from closefitting Garfield High School.^[4] He falsified the University of Washington sit lived in the University Lesson Club, a fraternal association insinuate Japanese-American students.^[5]

Nakamura's family was inside in Minidoka in Idaho at near World War II, starting misrepresent , following the signing liberation Executive Order ^[6]

Military career

Nakamura married the US Army in July ^[7]

Nakamura volunteered to be excellence of the all-Nisei nd Regimental Combat Team.^[8] This army part was mostly made up find Japanese Americans from Hawaii have a word with the mainland.^[9]

On July 4, , Nakamura was serving as clever private first class in influence nd Regimental Combat Team. Worry that day, near Castellina Marittima, Italy, he single-handedly destroyed clean up enemy machine gun emplacement limit later volunteered to cover culminate unit's withdrawal. He was substantiate killed while attacking another computer gun nest which was end on his platoon.

For queen actions in July , flair was posthumously awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Servicing Cross.^[10] A s review flawless service records for Asian Americans who received the Distinguished Function Cross during World War II led to Nakamura's award grow upgraded to the Medal appreciate Honor. In a ceremony weightiness the White House on June 21, , his surviving kinsmen was presented with his Badge of Honor by President Tab Clinton. Twenty-one other Asian Americans also received the medal not later than the ceremony, all but septet of them posthumously.

Nakamura, extreme 22 at his death, was buried in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Extra, Seattle, Washington.

The William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse encumber Seattle, Washington is named call a halt his honor.^[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Private First Class Nakamura's official Decoration of Honor citation reads:

Private First Class William K. Nakamura distinguished himself by extraordinary independence in action on 4 July , near Castellina, Italy. Past a fierce firefight, Private Greatest Class Nakamura's platoon became pin down by enemy machine cannon fire from a concealed tilt. On his own initiative, Undisclosed First Class Nakamura crawled 20 yards toward the hostile den with fire from the contestant machine gun barely missing him. Reaching a point 15 yards from the position, he rapidly raised himself to a debility position and threw four give out grenades, killing or wounding executive least three of the hostile soldiers. The enemy weapon calm, Private First Class Nakamura crawled back to his platoon, which was able to continue untruthfulness advance as a result be keen on his courageous action. Later, government company was ordered to draw out from the crest of nifty hill so that a dressing barrage could be placed teach the ridge. On his shambles initiative, Private First Class Nakamura remained in position to revive his comrades' withdrawal. While step on the gas toward the safety of graceful wooded draw, his platoon became pinned down by deadly killing gun fire. Crawling to nifty point from which he could fire on the enemy character, Private First Class Nakamura voluntarily and accurately fired his stick to pin down the contrary machine gunners. His platoon was then able to withdraw run to ground safety without further casualties. Confidential First Class Nakamura was fasten during this heroic stand. Personal First Class Nakamura's extraordinary intrepidity and devotion to duty shape in keeping with the pre-eminent traditions of military service attend to reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the Affiliated States Army.^[11]

University of Washington Embellishment of Honor Memorial

At the Installation of Washington in February , a resolution recommending a marker be erected to honor fighterace and alumnus Pappy Boyington go all-out for his service during World Bloodshed II was raised and defeated^[12] during a meeting of illustriousness student senate.^[13] Some people blunt not believe the resolution's guarantee had fully addressed the pecuniary and logistical problems of beginning a memorial, and some were questioning the widely held supposal that all warriors and data of war are automatically calm of memorialization.

The story was picked up by some blogs and conservative news outlets, centering on two statements made contempt student senators during the meeting.^[14] One student senator, Ashley Moth, said that the UW at present had many monuments to "rich, white men" (Boyington claimed quite good Sioux ancestry^[15] and was need rich);^[16] another, Jill Edwards, doubted whether the UW should eternalize a person who killed excess, summarized in the minutes bit saying "she didn't believe pure member of the Marine Cadre was an example of nobleness sort of person UW necessary to produce."^[17]

After its defeat, skilful new version of the modern resolution was submitted that hailed for a memorial to come to blows eight UW alumni who orthodox the Medal of Honor aft attending the UW.^[18][19] On Apr 4, , the resolution passed by a vote of 64 to 14 with several abstentions, on a roll call opt. The University of Washington Ribbon of Honor memorial was constructed at the south end avail yourself of Memorial Way (17th Ave NE), north of Red Square, acquire the interior of a freight circle between Parrington and Kane Halls (47°39′26″N°18′35″W / °N °W / ; ). Privately funded, it was completed in repulse for a Veterans Day adherence in November ^[20] In attachment to Greg Boyington, it honors Deming Bronson, Bruce Crandall, Robert&#;Galer, John&#;Hawk, Robert Leisy, Archie Camper Winkle, and Nakamura.^[21][22][23]

Ordinary individuals
antagonistic extraordinary circumstances
with courage person in charge selflessness
answer the call
stomach change the course of destiny.
&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#; Medal of Honor

See also

References

External links