Veterans Day, Sgt Ted Miyamoto

Veterans Day is a day to honor all American military personnel  who served in the military {both living and those who are no longer with us}.

This Veterans Day I would like to honor my Grandfather, Ted Miyamoto.  He enlisted in the army soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor and became a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated Japanese-American unit.  His unit was sent to Europe to be on the front lines where they experienced some of the most intense fighting.  Ted’s courage and bravery was evident when he took out a German tank “head on” and with the help of a comrade took out a second tank. They were one of the most decorated units in the military. Ted was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart after his combat ended.

In 2005, Ted Miyamoto died at the age of 83 and was laid to rest in his home town of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

On November 2nd, 2011, a ceremony was held in Washington DC  at the Capital to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Ted Miyamoto and other veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.  This is the highest civilian honor that can be given by Congress in recognition of exceptional service, sacrifice and  loyalty to the country.

Medal Design

The medal’s obverse (heads side) was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers. The design features Nisei (second-generation Americans of Japanese ancestry) Soldiers from both the European and Pacific theaters. The 442nd RCT color guard is depicted in the lower field of the medal. The inscriptions on the outer rim are NISEI SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR II and GO FOR BROKE, the motto of the 442nd RCT, which was eventually used to describe the work of all three units.

The medal’s reverse (tails side), designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, depicts the insignias of the 100th INF BN, 442nd RCT, and MIS. The 100th INF BN insignia features a taro leaf and a traditional Hawaiian helmet, both of which are emblematic of the unit’s Hawaiian roots. The “Go for Broke” Torch of Liberty shoulder patch represents the 442nd RCT. The sphinx, a traditional symbol of secrecy, represents the MIS insignia. The inscriptions on the outer rim are the abbreviated titles of the three units represented on the medal – the 100th INF BN, 442nd RCT, and MIS. In addition, the years 1941-1946, the defined years of World War II according to the Department of Defense, are inscribed in the upper right field of the medal. A decorative ribbon connects the outer rim with the inscriptions ACT OF CONGRESS and 2010. The three stars positioned along the border represent the three units being honored. {www.goforbroke.org}

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Thank you Veterans for your service to our country!

Dan Coakley (Army) · Vern Cook (Army) · Paul Keating (Marines) ·  Steve Miyamoto (Air Force, navigator) ·  Ted Miyamoto (Army)  · Bud  Morris (Coast Guard) · Chip Morris (Army) · Norm Morris (Coast Guard & National Guard) · Chris Swan (Navy) ·  Frederick W. Swan Jr. (Army)  ·  Glenn Szalay (Air Force) · Ted Weigold (Marines)

sources/ images:  Go For Broke  ⎜ Wyoming News  ⎜ Wikipedia: Bronze Star Medal & Purple Heart

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posted by: Kay