World War II Honoree

Edward K. Watase, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honored By

Fumio Serikawa

Relationship

Friend

DECEMBER 7, 1941 TO JANUARY 21, 1942. AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS 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 TO 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 CORPS 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 THE 442ND INFANTRY REGIMENT; TOOK BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI; JOINED COMPANY A, 100TH BATTALION, 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATION AS A REPLACEMENT. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: ROME-ARNO, PO VALLEY,NORTH APENNINES, RHINELAND. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: PURPLE HEART, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, DISTINGUISH UNIT BADGE WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE.