These documents belonged to Army Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, a Japanese American soldier wh
These documents belonged to Army Private First Class Wataru Nakamura, a Japanese American soldier who fought with the acclaimed 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. Nakamura enlisted in the Army from Camp Rohwer, a Japanese internment camp in Arkansas. Nakamura fought with distinction in World War II, and later paid the ultimate sacrifice for his heroic efforts in Korea. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his bravery under fire.Nakamura’s military personnel record is among those that were damaged and salvaged after the 1973 fire in St. Louis. After the dirt and debris from the fire were cleaned from these documents, technicians placed these pages in protective polyester sleeves. Not all burned damaged pages require sleeving. But these examples from Nakamura’s file have sustained severe losses to the pages themselves, leaving fragile and ragged edges that need protection when handled so that further damage and loss is prevented.As we look back on the executive order that forced many Japanese Americans into internment camps, it is important to recognize the heroism and sacrifice given by servicemen like Private Wataru Narkamura. Rest in peace soldier. -- source link