died on October 12, 2024. She was inurned with her husband. Inscribed on their niche is “442 Inf Regt” and “Always in our Hearts.” Postscript. Juichi and Masu Jo had two more sons after resettling in Japan about 1930. Unfortunately, the two sons died during World War II. The families kept in touch throughout the
Tetsu Oba Staff Sergeant 442nd Regimental Combat Team 2nd Battalion, E Company Juneus Tetsu Oba was born on June 2, 1924, in Portland, Oregon, to Yoshisuke and Masue (Koyama) Oba. He was the second of three sons: brothers Stanley Takashi and Calvin Hiroshi. Yoshisuke Oba’s family were descendants of the samurai class. After the
Stanley Takashi Oba Private 442nd Regimental Combat Team 2nd Battalion, G Company Stanley Takashi Oba was born on June 28, 1923, in Portland, Oregon, to Yoshisuke and Masue (Koyama) Oba. He was the eldest of three sons; his younger brothers were Juneus Tetsu and Calvin Hiroshi. Yoshisuke Oba’s family were descendants of the samurai
Combat Team 3rd Battalion, K Company Senji Sugawara was born on April 5, 1912, in Kekaha, Kauai, Territory of Hawaii. He was the son of Sentaro and Masu (Matsumura) Sugawara. His siblings were: brothers Takeo (known as Jumbo) and Dick Yoshito; sisters Florence Fujiko, Mitsue, and Chiyono. Sentaro and Masu emigrated from Japan in
Team 100th Battalion, D Company Toru Wilson Koga, known as Tom, was born May 3, 1921, in Gilroy, California. He was the son of Joe Shinma and Masu (Kugamata) Koga. Joe was born on the island of Kyushu, Japan, and arrived in Washington State from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on July 26, 1905. He
Battalion, K Company Fred Shiogi Ogata was born on July 3, 1917, in Paia, Maui, Territory of Hawaii. He was one of ten children of Hikoshiro and Masu (Okawara) Ogata. His siblings were: brothers Hiroshi, Yoshihiko, Akira, Hideo, Hitoshi, and Masayoshi; sisters Fumiko, Winifred Kikuyo, and Hanako. Hikoshiro emigrated from Kukushima Prefecture, Japan in
Regimental Combat Team 232nd Engineer Company Hiroshi Arisumi was born at his parents’ home in Olinda, Maui, Territory of Hawaii, on June 10, 1920, to Aikichi and Masu (Urata) Arisumi. There were ten children in the Arisumi family: sons Hiroshi, Satoji (“Butch”), Mitsuo, Masato, John Yoshio, Tadashi, and Toshio (“Joe“); and daughters Maisie, Aiko
Team 3rd Battalion, K Company Gordon Kenshi Yamashiro was born on October 26, 1921, in Kapaa, Kauai, Territory of Hawaii. One of ten children of Matsu and Masu (Iha) Yamashiro, his siblings were: brothers Kensuke, Kenji, George, and Take; and sisters Ruth Kiyoko, Florence Setsuko, Mildred, Shizue, and Nancy. His parents emigrated from the
