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Charles Masakatsu Tanaka, a 96-year-old WWII veteran, receives a station patch and challenge coin from Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, commanding officer, aboard station, June 6, 2014. Tanaka served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1945 with the 100th Infantry Battalion. His battalion served in the European Theater and was first sent to South Africa, where they later entered combat in Italy. He was hit by shrapnel from an artillery shell in his right leg, which disabled him and was later medically separated. Tanaka received two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and the Congressional Gold Medal; the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
The 100th Infantry Battalion is now the only remaining infantry unit in the Army Reserve force structure. Its headquarters is still located in Hawaii and it is the most decorated battalion in U.S. Army history. Tanaka currently resides in Hawaii, but took a vacation to see his family grave site in Kumamoto, Japan. While in the area, he wanted to visit an American base to see the relationship between Japanese and Americans. “I really like this air station,” said Tanaka. “There’s Japanese people all around you folks, and all I see is harmony. That’s what I’m looking for. That’s what I fought for.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2014 19:48 |
| Photo ID: | 1388933 |
| VIRIN: | 140606-M-CP522-012 |
| Resolution: | 5760x3840 |
| Size: | 13.45 MB |
| Location: | IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 100th Battalion WWII veteran visits MCAS Iwakuni, by Cpl David Walters, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
