World War II Honoree

Dick S. Hamada

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honored By

Benedicto K. Villaverde

SERVED AS INTERPRETER, LINGUIST, CODE BREAKER WITH THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. TRAINED WITH 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM, SELECTED FOR THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES, DETACHMENT 101. PARACHUTED BEHIND ENEMY LINES IN BURMA; SERVED WITH THE KACHIN RANGERS ENGAGED IN GUERRILLA WARFARE UNTIL DETACHMENT 101 WAS DEACTIVATED. IN CHINA WITH THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES DETACHMENT 202, UNDER OPERATION MAGPIE, A 7-MAN TEAM PARACHUTED INTO PEIPING, CHINA ON AUGUST 17, 1945 AND RESCUED 4 OF THE DOOLITTLE TOKYO RAIDERS HELD CAPTIVE.