Howard Miyake Research Paper

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Pages: 2

Howard Y. Miyake of the 100th Infantry Battalion has achieved many things in life, including several acts of bravery in combat during World War II while fighting in Italy as a United States Army soldier. Miyake’s parents were both Japanese migrants and he was born in 1918 in Haleiwa, Hawaii as the seventh of their nine children. Before he graduated high school, he had very strong English language skills. His ability to speak English well helped him acquire a position as a hotel bell boy where he worked and saved enough money to finance all four years of college where he majored in business and economics with a minor in English. Miyake enlisted as a soldier in the US Army and left Hawaii on June 5, 1942 as member of the first Nisei combat …show more content…
Miyake was recognized for courageously volunteering to lead a two-man patrol to obtain information on enemy locations. The enemy opened fire on Miyake, but he could bring back the patrol safely exemplifying courage and leadership (“Hall of Valor: Military Times”). In June of 1944, Miyake and his battalion were engaged in a two-day task assault result in the 15 casualties and Miyake was one of several wounded in the battle. Miyake passed out as he was evacuated from the battle lines, but he regained consciousness at the aid station and recalls hearing the surgeon say, “Looks like another hopeless case. But let’s turn him over and dress his wounds anyway” (Tamashiro, 1985). It was then that Miyake decided, “I made up my mind to live. I’m going to fool you, man. I’m going to live” (Tamashiro, 1985). Miyake survived his injuries although he had to spend three and one half years in 5 hospitals and returned home to Hawaii two years after the end of the