"...As Loyal Americans..."
Hawaii's AJA Heroes
with Neil Yamamoto, Hawaii Historian
About this presentation
The Presentation will focus on the formation of the Japanese American combat units in World War II. The Varsity Victory Volunteers, 100th Infantry Battalion, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
"...As Loyal Americans...", will begin with an explanation of the history of Asian and Japanese immigrants to the US, followed by the attack on Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066, the formation of the VVV, 100th Battalion, and 442nd. The series will conclude with a discussion about the legacy of the Japanese American Soldiers and their impact on Hawaii's society. This will include the formation of Central Pacific Bank and many other local businesses that were started by AJA World War II veterans. As President Roosevelt said, at the formation of the 442nd, "Americanism, is not, and never was a matter of race or ancestry, it is a matter of the mind and heart..." The lesson of this presentation is to show how challenges in history is overcome by perseverance. It is through perseverance that ultimately succeeded in leaving an indelible mark on Hawaii's history.
This presentation is approximately 40 minutes and will include a 20 minute Q & A session with Neil Yamamoto.
About Neil Yamamoto
A World War II/Hawaii Historian by avocation, Neil has spent the last 15 years as an educator at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and as a freelance World War II historian, specializing in the Japanese American Experience, and Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Other important information
For questions regarding this presentation or our Virtually REAL Series, please contact:
Jennifer Sagon-Taeza, Executive Director at jennifer@realinnovativeconnections.org
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