Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II

Acquisition and creation

The concept for the monument originated in 1988 with the "Go For Broke" National Veterans Association Foundation, later renamed the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Architect Davis Buckley and sculptor Nina Akamu served as principal designers. Construction on federal land was authorized by statute PL 102-502, signed by President George Bush on October 24, 1992.

The groundbreaking occurred on October 22, 1999, and the memorial was dedicated on November 9, 2000, with a completion celebration on June 29, 2001. Before finalizing the design, Akamu studied cranes at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Ownership transferred to the U.S. Government in 2002, with the National Park Service responsible for maintenance.

Symbolism

The cranes rising above the memorial walls symbolize the ability to rise beyond limitations. Their postures mirror each other, with one wing pointing upward and the other downward, representing the duality of the universe.

Pressed against one another and appearing to grasp barbed wire, the birds illustrate individual effort to escape restraint combined with communal support and interdependence. An "Honor Wall" at the center lists the names of over 800 Japanese Americans who died in U.S. Armed Forces service during World War II. The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation describes the memorial as symbolic of overcoming deeply painful circumstances and of an integrated culture healed and unified.

Veterans honored

The memorial honors Japanese American veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and other units. The 100th/442nd became the most decorated unit of the war for its size and length of service.

Together they earned seven Presidential Unit Citations, two Meritorious Service Plaques, 36 Army Commendation Medals, and 87 Division Commendations. Individual soldiers received 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, over 354 Silver Stars, and more than 4,000 Purple Hearts. On October 5, 2010, President Barack Obama signed legislation granting the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Dedication on November 9, 2000

The U.S. Department of Defense described the dedication as a day when drizzling rain mixed with tears from Japanese American World War II heroes and those who had been imprisoned in isolated internment camps. An estimated 2,000 people attended to commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of Japanese Americans who fought and died for the United States and to honor the more than 120,000 men, women, and children who maintained their loyalty despite being placed in desolate internment camps.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon noted the irony that Japanese Americans of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion were among the first allied troops to liberate sub-camps of Dachau while some of their family members were held in U.S. internment camps. Attorney General Janet Reno shared a letter from President Bill Clinton stating that stereotyping, discrimination, hatred, and racism have no place in the country.

Did You Know?

• Nina Akamu's grandfather on her mother's side was arrested in Hawaii during the internment program and died of a heart attack three months into his imprisonment.
• The central sculpture, "Golden Cranes," depicts two Japanese cranes caught in barbed wire atop a tall square pedestal incised with grooves suggestive of drill cores.
• Of the nearly 160,000 citizens of Japanese descent living in Hawaii, fewer than 2,000 were confined.