World War II Honoree

Akio Nishikawa

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Paia, Hawaii

Honored By

Fumio Serikawa

Relationship

Acquaintance

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 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, 2ND BATTALION, COMPANY E MEDIC; TOOK BASIC AND ADVANCED TRAINING AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI; SHIPPED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS; SERVED WITH THE 'GO FOR BROKE' 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM. WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON A BATTLEFIELD SOMEWHERE IN ITALY, PROVIDING FIRST AID TO HIS FALLEN COMRADES UNDER ENEMY FIRE. MEDALS AND DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, SILVER STAR. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: ROME-ARNO; NORTH APENNINES.