World War II Honoree

Ryoji Namba

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honored By

Fumio Serikawa

Relationship

A Good Friend

DECEMBER 7, 1941 - JANUARY 21, 1942. AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORP CADETS REPORTED FOR DUTY WITH THE HAWAII TERRITORIAL GUARD; ASSIGNED TO GUARD VARIOUS VITAL INSTALLATIONS UNTIL THE HAWAII TERRITORIAL GUARD WAS INACTIVATED. FEBRUARY 25, 1942 - JANUARY 31, 1943. VOLUNTEERED FOR THE VARSITY VICTORY VOLUNTEERS, A GROUP OF JAPANESE –AMERICANS RECLASSIFIED AS '4C'; ALIENS INELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES; PLEDGED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REGAIN OUR RIGHT TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY; ASSEMBLED PREFAB HOUSES, CLEARED DRAINAGE DITCHES, BUILT ROADS, CRUSHED ROCKS FOR THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS AND PARTICIPATED REGULARLY IN BLOOD DRIVES AND WAR BOND PURCHASES UNTIL THE VARSITY VICTORY VOLUNTEERS WAS DISBANDED TO ALLOW ITS MEMBERS TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE NEWLY CREATED, ALL NISEI, 442ND INFANTRY REGIMENT. ON MARCH 25, 1943, INDUCTED INTO 442ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, 206TH ARMY GROUND FORCES BAND. TOOK BASIC AND ADVANCED TRAINING AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI; SHIPPED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATION; SERVED WITH THE “GO FOR BROKE” 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: ROME ARNO; NORTH APENNINES; PO VALLEY; RHINELAND. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: AMERICAN CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL; EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL; ASIATIC PACIFIC MEDAL; WWII VICTORY MEDAL.