France honors WWII veterans' valor
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Staff Writer
James Davis has a simple explanation for acts of valor that took place when Allied forces landed in France in 1944.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
"My dad went to France in 1917 and it was proper I go," Davis said. "What more can you say?"
WWII veterans who fought in France stand for the national anthem before receiving certificates of commendation from the French consul general.
Davis, from Kihei, Maui, was one of 66 Hawai'i World War II veterans honored at a Memorial Day weekend celebration yesterday at the State Capitol for their part in the Normandy invasion and liberation of France.
French authorities are issuing a "Thank You America" certificate to pay tribute to the American and Allied soldiers who served in France. Gerard Coste, the French consul general, presented certificates to the Hawai'i veterans who participated in the liberation.
"To all of you I would like, on behalf of the French government, to honor your courage, your bravery and the sacrifice of your comrades who didn't come back," said Coste, who traveled from San Francisco for the ceremony.
Jerry Ishimoto, one of the several members of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team who were honored yesterday, said he and other veterans were surprised by the gesture.
"I think I should be thanking them for the ceremony, for coming all the way to thank us," he said.
The 442nd was created during World War II as a segregated unit of Japanese Americans. Their unit, which included the 100th Infantry Battalion, became known for its extraordinary bravery and its motto, "Go For Broke!" It became the most-decorated unit for its size in American military history, with members receiving the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and more than 9,000 Purple Hearts.
| • | How to receive your certificate
Veterans who participated in the liberation of France can contact the French Embassy or the State Department of Veterans Services for information about the "Thank You America" certificates. Another ceremony may be held in Hawai'i if enough veterans register. Otherwise, certificates will be mailed to the recipients. An application form can be found online. Veterans can also call the Office of Veterans Services: 433-0420 |
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"It's really something," Obayashi said. "You look at them now. It's all old folks. It's amazing actually."
Obayashi, who later joined the Air Force and served in Korea and Vietnam, said he saw yesterday's recognition as an act of friendship by France. "It's nice to see it," he said.
The 10 consuls general of France in the United States have coordinated with state veteran affairs offices and veterans' service organizations to issue the certificates on behalf of French authorities.
However, because so many Americans participated in the liberation of France between June 6, 1944, and May 8, 1945, veterans need to register to receive the certificate. Certificates will not be issued posthumously.
"It's an unusual process," Coste said. "The bottom line is, France remembers."
About 120 Hawai'i veterans have registered so far, but many Islanders who could be eligible, including such well-known figures as Sen. Daniel Inouye and Bill Paty Jr., former state land board chairman, have not contacted the French consulate for recognition, said Walter Ozawa, director of the Office of Veterans Services.
The ceremony yesterday was hoped to play a part in raising awareness of the recognition, Ozawa said.
Mari Lee Takaki said her father, Sadao Hikida, tells his grandchildren about the war sometimes, and about how his family was held in Mainland internment camps while he fought and was wounded in battle in Italy.
"It was hard for him to fight for his country and see his brothers interned," Takaki said.
Takaki came from Hilo to watch Hikida, a member of the 100th Battalion, receive the certificate of thanks. "It's very special and very unusual for another country to acknowledge this," she said.
