POSTON PRESERVATION PROJECT UPDATES: Central California Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

The Central California Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony was held on the Day of Remembrance, February 19, 2012 to honor the Nisei soldiers who served during World War II and the Occupation period.

Photo Credit: Howard K. Watkins

The event was held at the Rex Phebus Veteran's Memorial Building in Clovis and was extremely well-attended with an overflow room needed to accommodate more than 740 people in attendance.

Photo credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

With generous sponsorships from the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, Nisei Farmers League, Sun-Maid Growers, friends and families of the veterans, replicas of the Nisei Veteran Congressional Gold Medal were purchased and presented to the World War II veterans attending the luncheon, who had not previously received a medal at the Washington DC inaugural celebration in November 2011.

Distinguished American Awards were presented to Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Adam B. Schiff for their Spirit of Public Service.

Medals were presented to the following former Poston veterans:

Pvt. Yoneo Bob Akahori, attended Sanger High School. He was incarcerated at Poston camp 2 (222-3-A), where he graduated from high school. Military training led him to Camp Hood, Texas; the Military Intelligence Language School at Fort Snelling, Minnesota; and the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio in Monterey.

T/Sgt. Kan Ibara, attended Reedley High School and was incarcerated at Poston camp 3 (318-11-A), where he graduated from high school. Military training led him to Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the Military Intelligence Language School at Fort Snelling in Minnesota. He served in the MIS during the Occupation of Japan.

Pfc. Toshio Ihara graduated from Sanger High School and was incarcerated at Poston 2 (222-5-A). He entered military service at Fort Sheridan in Illinois, and fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion, Company D.

T/Sgt. Sam Imoto attended Lindsay Junior High School, and was incarcerated at Poston camp 2 (226-4-CD), where he graduated from high school. Military training led him to Fort Lee, in Virginia. He served with the Quartermaster Corps at the Army of Occupation Headquarters-European Command.

T/Sgt. Henry T. Mizuki graduated from Sanger Union High School and attended Fresno State College. He was incarcerated at Poston camp 2 (222-10-AB). Military training led him to Fort Dix, New Jersey. He fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 3rd Battalion, Company I.

T/Sgt. Jim G. Mizuki graduated from Sanger High School and attended the University of California, at Davis. He was incarcerated at Poston camp 2 (222-10-AB). Military training led him to Fort Rucker, Alabama, and the Military Language School at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He served with the MIS during the Occupation of Japan.

Sgt. George Shiba attended Orosi High School. He was incarcerated at Poston camp 3 (309-9-D) and graduated from the high school while imprisoned. He fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion, Company B. George Shiba is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Sgt. Noboru Togioka graduated from Reedley Joint Union High School. His family was incarcerated at Poston camp 3 (309-2-D). He fought with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Battalion, Headquarters Company. Noboru Togioka is a recipient of a Silver Star Medal and a Purple Heart.

Sgt. Nob Togioka

Photo Credit: Dianne Kiyomoto

Pfc. Marvin M. Tsutsui attended high school in Hanford. He was incarcerated at the Poston camp 2 (221-3-C) and graduated from high school while imprisoned. Military training led him to Fort Lewis, in Washington. Marvin Tsutsui served in the Korean War with the 17th Infantry.

Pfc. Robert Uyesaka attended Glendale High School in Glendale, Arizona. He was evacuated to the Mayer Assembly Center in Arizona, and incarcerated at Poston camp I, where he continued to attend high school. He graduated from Greeley High School in Colorado, and served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Medical Detachment.

Photo Credit: John Hix

"This proud honor is a testament to your selfless dedication and unwavering loyalty as you fought a two-front war against prejudice at home and fascism abroad."

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How to Order a replica of the Nisei Veteran

Congressional Gold Medal