The Associated Press Staff
HONOLULU (AP) — The University of Hawaii says it plans to award honorary degrees to Japanese-American U.S. Army ROTC cadets who formed a civilian battalion and were killed in action during World War II.
University officials say the students were enrolled during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and called to serve in the Hawaii Territorial Guard. But they were kicked out because of their Japanese ethnicity.
They petitioned and formed a civilian battalion that eventually led to the establishment of a U.S. Army regiment of Japanese-Americans.
The students to be honored are: Daniel Betsui of Hanapepe, Jenhatsu Chinen of Helemano, Robert Murata and Grover Nagaji of Honolulu, Akio Nishikawa of Paia, Hiroichi Tomira of Wailuku and Howard Urabe of Kapaa. (end)