Lt. Yonemura, Pvts. Nagata, Hayashi Killed In Action On Italian Front

Heart Mountain was grieved this week with the death of three more of its soldiers — 2nd Lt. Hitoshi “Moe” Yonemura, Pvt. Jim Nagata and S/Sgt. Joe Hayashi — who were killed as the world famous 442nd combat team closed in on the Nazi enemy for the knockout blow in Italy.

Besides the death of the trio six other Heart Mountain soldiers were reported slightly wounded during the last week.

Casualties this week increased Heart Mountain’s total to 11 killed and 46 wounded.

Those wounded are:

Pfc. Masami Iso, son of Mrs. Koume Iso, 21-14-B.

Pvt. Jone S. Koshiba, son of Mrs. Kuma Koshiba, 25-13-F.

Pvt. Tadashi Spencer Sato, son of Ben S. Sato, 24-9-D.

T/4 Seiji Nishioka, son of Mrs. Ochiye Nishioka, 12-24-F.

Pfc. Victor T. Hirose, husband of Mrs. Matsui Hirose, 2-17-B.

Pfc. Jack Shundo, son of Roy R. Shundo, 1-11-B.

Lieutenant Yonemura, an outstanding youth leader here and Private Hayashi were killed April 21 while Private Nagata was killed April 17.

Born in Los Angeles, Nov. 26, 1920, Lieutenant Yonemura attended public schools there and was graduated with honors from UCLA where he was a member of the ROTC for four years.

The officer was evacuated from his home before receiving his diploma but high school officials honored him by special services. At the university he was head cheerleader, a member of the Blue Key organization, Scabbard and Blade, the Men's Service Club as well as being a member of the student council.

At Heart Mountain during the early days, “Moe” took a leading part in organizing activities for young people and served on most occasions as a master of ceremonies. Later he joined the staff of the Sentinel where he handled public relations.

As master of ceremonies for Al Tanaka and his Surfriders Hawaiian orchestra, “MO” broadcast from station KPOW in Powell for several months. His bright comments brought favorable comments from the entire area and helped in the public acceptance of center residents.

Receiving his commission in the army, Lieutenant Yonemura took a refresher course at Fort Benning before joining the 442nd. During the campaign in France, the Lieutenant taught French officers the U. S. Army manual of arms, since he was proficient in French and acted as liaison officer.

Besides his mother Mrs. Kyoko Yonemura, the officer is survived by two sisters, Nancy and Joan and Pvt. Minoro Yonemura, former community councilman here, now serving with the army at Fort Snelling. The Yonemura family has relocated to Cincinnati.

Private Nagata was one of the five brothers, all sons of Mrs. Tanouye, to serve in the U. S. Army.

S/ Sgt. Hayashi, son of Mrs. Toyo Nakawatase, 1-14-E, and brother of Kiyo, formerly lived at 190 N. Vernon, Pasadena. He entered the army before evacuation and his records are not available

Three of this week's casualties formerly lived in San Jose, another from Hood River, Ore., where recently the names of nisei soldiers were restored to the memorial honor roll after having been erased by the American Legion.

On learning of her son's death, Mrs. Tanouye told the Sentinel, “when Jim left, we had a heart- to- heart talk. I made him fully understand the responsibility he was undertaking, and asked him, for the family's sake, and for Japanese Americans in general, not to shirk his obligations.

“His death was a shock to us all, but I feel that his sacrifice was not made in vain and although we feel his loss, we have no regrets. We believe that Jim knew what he was fighting for, and that he carried out his duty in the best way he knew.”

Private Nagata lived on Route one, at Box 886, San Jose and attended Live Oak high school. His brother George, has been honorably discharged from the service, while Harry, Bill, and Mark are still in the army. His brother Harry, who was wounded in France is now convalescing at Bushnell Hospital, Brigham City, Utah.

Private Nagata entered the army Oct. 14, 1944.

Private Iso formerly lived at 255 19th St. San Jose and attended Roosevelt junior high school and San Jose technical high school. He has a brother Jimmy, formerly of the employment office here, in the service.

Private Koshiba formerly lived at 1912 6th St., Sacramento. He was a graduate of Sacramento high school and has two brothers, Albert and Samuel, the in the service.

Private Sato lived at 730 Park Blvd., Palo Alto prior to evacuation. He attended David Starr Jordan junior high school and Heart Mountain High school. His brother, Jimmy is also in the service.

Corporal Nishioka formerly lived on Route 2 Box 232, Hood River.

Private Hirose formerly lived on Route 2, at Box 1000, San Jose where he attended grammar and high school

Private Shundo attended school at Covina high and was born at San Bernardino.