World War II Honoree

James S. Miyake

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Hawaii

Honored By

Fumio Serikawa

Relationship

Friend

FROM 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 THE RIGHT TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY TO DEFEND THEIR 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 442ND INFANTRY REGIMENT, SERVICE COMPANY. BASIC AND ADVANCED TRAINING AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI. SHIPPED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. SERVED IN THE 'GO FOR BROKE' 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM.