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Joe Seto and his three brothers all grew up in Tacoma on South L Street; all went on to serve during the war. Twelve members of the family attended Wednesday’s festivities as the brothers – two living, two dead – were awarded Congress’ highest civilian honor.
Seto, now 87 and living in California, keeps detailed records – several pages long – of all the Pierce County Nisei who wore U.S. military uniforms during the war, including six who were killed in action.
Jimmie Kanaya of Gig Harbor, Daniel Takehara of Auburn and Mitsuru Hayashi of Kent were among the living honorees at the Congressional Gold Medal awards.
Kanaya, 91, served in a medical detachment and was a veteran of one of the most storied battles of the war – the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” in the mountains of France.
“These soldiers fought for what this country could be, even while their families lived in internment camps,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. “In the process, they paved the way to victory in WWII and a brighter future for all.”
Matt Misterek: 253-597-8472 matt.misterek@ thenewstribune.com
