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California Sergeant Wins Commendation for Valorous Action
From Pacific Citizen October 20, 1945
With the 5th Army in Italy — Sergeant Yoshio Nakagawa of Mount Eden, California who led a hazardous reconnaissance patrol into enemy territory recently was awarded a 5th Army commendation for valorous conduct in action.
He serves in the 442nd Japanese American Combat Team.
He was cited for his performance near La Houssiere, France during the bitter fighting in the Vosges Mountains of northeastern France. It became evident that a reconnaissance of the German positions would be necessary for any further advances. Nakagawa volunteered to lead a patrol to gather the necessary information.
His citation reads: “Sergeant Nakagawa volunteered to lead a reconnaissance patrol into enemy territory. When a minefield was discovered, he went forward alone to investigate the area. When enemy snipers opened fire, he covered the withdrawal of his men. He returned with information which proved to be valuable in the attack which followed. Sergeant Nakagawa’s initiative and courage conforms with the traditions of the United States Army.”
He is the son of Mrs. Tommy Nakagawa, Box 16, Mount Eden.
Source Information
October 20, 1945
Page: 1
+ Pacific Citizen
Media Type: Newspaper
Place: Los Angeles
State: California
Country: United States
The Pacific Citizen, created as the organizational newsletter of the Japanese American Citizens League, became a full-fledged newspaper during World War II. During the war years, it represented the most articulate voice of mainland Japanese Americans, and acted as the principal purveyor of news to the community.
The Pacific Citizen was founded in 1929 as the bulletin of the San Francisco "New American Citizens League," under the name Nikkei Shimin. Three years later, it was adopted as the official organ of the fledgling JACL and renamed. During the 1930s it was taken over by Seattle-based editor James Sakamoto as an adjunct of his newspaper Japanese American Courier.
With the advent of World War II, the newspaper moved to Salt Lake City, chronicling the stresses and agonies of the Japanese Americans ripped from the homes and imprisoned in the desolate and forbidding "relocation camps" that had been hastily constructed. It covered the progress of the struggle to persuade the government to allow Nisei men to volunteer and fight against the fascist forces of sweeping through Europe and Asia. And then followed with the stories of sacrifice and heroic victories of the Nisei soldiers fighting in Europe.
After the war the newspaper relocated to Los Angles, CA, and continues to publish as a national, award-winning semi-monthly newspaper focused on covering Asian Pacific American (APA) news.
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People mentioned in this clipping: Yoshio Nakagawa Tommy Nakagawa