[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 110 (Thursday, June 26, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING MR. YOSHIO NAKAMURA'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2025

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
birthday of Yoshio ``Yosh'' Nakamura, and to honor his service to our 
country as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. 
Born in California in 1925, Yosh and his family were forced from their 
El Monte farm into the Gila River internment camp after the outbreak of 
World War II. Despite the violation of his rights, when Army recruiters 
arrived at the camp looking for volunteers in 1944, 18-year-old Yosh 
answered ``yes'' to serve.
  As a member of the highly decorated all-Japanese-American 442nd 
Regimental Combat Team, Yosh served in the European Theater, 
participating in the assault on Mount Folgorito that led to further 
Allied victories in Italy. The 442nd became one of the most highly 
decorated units in U.S. military history. As Yosh said, ``We couldn't 
hide our ancestry. We had Japanese faces, but we had American hearts.''
  After his discharge in 1946, Yosh used the GI Bill to earn a 
bachelor's and master's degree in fine art from USC and then dedicated 
his career to education. He taught art at Whittier High School and 
became the first professor hired by Rio Hondo College. Yosh and his 
late wife, Grace, became beloved members of the Whittier community.
  I thank Mr. Nakamura for his service, and wish him a happy 100th 
birthday.

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