Japanese American Soldiers Once Branded 'Enemy Aliens' to be Promoted Posthumously

Published: Monday, January 26, 2026 at 12:34 pm

Posthumous Promotions Honor WWII Japanese American Soldiers

HONOLULU – In a poignant ceremony scheduled for Monday, seven Japanese American soldiers who died fighting for the United States during World War II will be posthumously promoted to officer ranks. The promotions come eight decades after the soldiers, once branded as "enemy aliens," sacrificed their lives for their country.

The seven men, Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, and Howard Urabe, were students at the University of Hawaii and cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. Initially, they served in the Hawaii Territorial Guard. However, following the attack, the U.S. government barred most Japanese Americans from military service.

Instead, the cadets joined the Varsity Victory Volunteers, a civilian labor battalion. Later, they enlisted in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated Japanese American unit. The 442nd, along with the 100th Battalion, became one of the most decorated units in U.S. history. The seven soldiers died in Europe in 1944, fighting to liberate Italy and France from Nazi Germany.

The promotions to 2nd lieutenant recognize the rank they would have achieved had they completed their ROTC training. The ceremony is expected to be attended by relatives of the fallen soldiers. The promotions are a culmination of efforts to honor these men, who fought for their country despite facing discrimination and having family members interned.

The initiative to promote the soldiers began in 2023 and was approved last year. The University of Hawaii awarded the men posthumous degrees in 2012.

BNN's Perspective: This ceremony is a significant step in acknowledging the sacrifices of Japanese American soldiers during World War II. It serves as a reminder of the injustices faced by these individuals and the importance of recognizing their contributions to the nation. While the timing of the ceremony may coincide with debates about historical narratives, the focus should remain on honoring the bravery and patriotism of these soldiers, regardless of political context.

Keywords: Japanese American soldiers, World War II, posthumous promotions, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, enemy aliens, ROTC, University of Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, military history, discrimination, heroism, Daniel Betsui, Jenhatsu Chinen, Robert Murata, Grover Nagaji, Akio Nishikawa, Hiroichi Tomita, Howard Urabe, 100th Battalion

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