Five Hawaiian men who were part of a unit of Japanese-language linguists during World War II were posthumously awarded Purple Heart medals almost 80 years after their plane crashed in the closing days of the war.

Joseph Kuwada, Haruyuki Ikemoto, Kazuyoshi Inouye, Wilfred Motokane, and Masaru Sogi were linguists aboard a C-46 transport plane that crashed in Okinawa on August 13, 1945. Only two of the 31 soldiers on board had previously received the honor.

A ceremony held at Pearl Harbor honored these five men of the Military Intelligence Service, acknowledging their contributions and sacrifices.

The Purple Heart, the oldest U.S. military medal originally established by George Washington, recognizes those wounded or killed in action.

In a recent development, researchers in Hawaii and Minnesota uncovered the oversight, prompting the Army to commit to presenting medals to the families of the 29 individuals who were previously overlooked.

Families of the five individuals from Hawaii have been identified by researchers, and the Army is now urging relatives of the remaining 24 men to come forward so that their loved ones can be duly acknowledged.

“I don’t have words. I’m just overwhelmed,” expressed Wilfred Ikemoto, brother of Haruyuki, during the ceremony.

The recognition was not only a personal tribute but also shone a light on the critical, role of the Military Intelligence Service.

The servicemen were members of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), a U.S. Army unit predominantly made up of Japanese Americans.

These soldiers served vital functions as cultural intermediaries during the occupation of Japan.

These soldiers often served behind enemy lines, interrogating prisoners and translating intercepted messages.

In total, around 6,000 individuals served in the Military Intelligence Service.

However, a significant portion of their contributions remained largely undisclosed as their work was classified until the 1970s.

Retired Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, whose father served in the MIS post-war, presented the medals, remarking, “What these Military Intelligence Service soldiers brought to the occupation of Japan was an understanding of culture that could take what was the vanquished to work with the victor.”

The Army is encouraging relatives of the remaining 24 men to reach out so that their family members can also be honored and receive recognition.

Relevant articles:
– WWII soldiers posthumously receive Purple Heart medals nearly 80 years after fatal plane crash, CBS News
– 5 WWII soldiers awarded posthumous Purple Heart medals 80 years after plane crash, Yahoo
– The Intriguing World War II Story About Purple Hearts!, americangimuseum.org