Clarksville, TN – George Nishimura was born of Japanese parents on February 25th, 1923, in Hawaii. His father came to work in the sugar cane fields, as so many Japanese men had done before him.  When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, George was eighteen years old. He would watch the second wave of attack and wonder, “What has happened?”
Thousands of Japanese-Americans volunteered to join the United States Army after the attack. President Roosevelt approved the formation of a separate unit comprised of these Japanese-Americans, also known as “Nisei,” or second generation, to be known as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
George and two of his brothers immediately volunteered. Only one other brother was accepted, and he and George began a journey with a group of soldiers that would make a mark on American History.
In 2010, Congress unanimously voted to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 442nd, MIS and 100th Battallion. George was left off the list of recipients. Somehow, his serial number had been changed after he received a field promotion, and there was no record of his service in the 442nd.
Family and friends have corrected that oversight, and Friday, February 22nd, at the F&M Bank Franklin Room, George Kazuo Nishimura will be awarded his Bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal, just three days before his 90th birthday.
Dignitaries including State Representative Joe Pitts, State Senator Mark Green, representatives from Congressman Marsha Blackburn’s office, and city and county officials will be on hand to honor Mr. Nishimura in a brief ceremony.
This week, Clarksville Online will be sharing more of the amazing story of a young Japanese-American man who wanted to serve his country during a time of war, and become part of an amazing group of American soldiers.
“One Man’s Medal:Â George Kazuo Nishimura” all this week at Clarksville Online.