FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL TO HONOR NISEI SOLDIERS OFWORLD WAR II AT VETERANS DAY CEREMONY, NOVEMBER 11
Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., New U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, to Present Keynote Address
Pearl Harbor, HI – (October 24, 2013) – The Battleship Missouri Memorial will pay tribute to thebravery, sacrifice and legacy of America’s Nisei soldiers of World War II at its Veterans Day ceremonyon Monday, November 11, 4:30–5:30 p.m., on the fantail of the Battleship Missouri.
Being honored at the ceremony are the Nisei (second-generation U.S.-born Japanese-American citizens)soldiers who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence
Service, and 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion.
On December 7, 1941, hundreds of Hawaii’s Nisei residents were serving on active duty with the Armyor Territorial Guard when Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and other defense installations. However,many were soon removed from their units by a government suspicious of their loyalty. Most of theseNisei went on to form the 100th Infantry Battalion or to serve in the Military Intelligence Service.
Subsequently, thousands more Nisei answered a 1943 call for volunteers for the 442nd Regimental
Combat Team, which became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history ofthe U.S. military.
“Seventy years ago our Nisei soldiers entered World War II and overcame the dual challenges ofprejudice at home and threats to our nation’s freedoms overseas with undaunted service and incredible
feats of courage,” said VADM Bob Kihune, USN (Ret.), Chairman of the Board, USS Missouri MemorialAssociation. “On November 11, we are honoring all of America’s Armed Forces veterans and giving
special recognition to our Nisei soldiers for all that they gave and sacrificed for the generations thatfollowed.”
Held on the battleship where World War II ended on September 2, 1945, and world peace was restored,
the Missouri’s Veterans Day ceremony will feature a keynote address from Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr.,
who assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet on October 16.
The ceremony will also signal the opening of a special exhibit onboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial
honoring the service and exploits of America’s Nisei soldiers.
The Veterans Day ceremony is free and open to the public. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is providing
complimentary roundtrip shuttle service to Pier Foxtrot 5 from the World War II Valor in the PacificNational Monument. Guests are advised to RSVP by November 7 to www.ussmissouri.org/veteransday.
-more-Pier Foxtrot-5, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor
63 Cowpens St. • Honolulu, HI 96818 • Ph: (808) 423-2263 • Fax: (808) 423-0700 • www.ussmissouri.org

Battleship Missouri Memorial to Honor WWII Nisei Soldiers at Veterans Day Ceremony
Page 2Battleship Missouri Memorial
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. General admission, which
includes choice of an optional tour, is $22 per adult and $11 per child (4-12). Military, kama‘aina (localresident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (toll-free) 1-877-6444896 or visit USSMissouri.org.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial, located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial,
completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and the sinking of theUSS Arizona in Pearl Harbor and ends with Imperial Japan’s surrender aboard the USS Missouri inTokyo Bay.
Following an astounding career that spans five decades and three wars, from World War II to the Korean
conflict to the Liberation of Kuwait, the “Mighty Mo” was decommissioned and donated to the USS
Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which operates the battleshipas a historic attraction and memorial.
The Association oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants andthe generosity of donors.
###Media Contact:
Patrick Dugan808-539-3411/808-741-2712
Patrick.Dugan@AnthologyGroup.com
Jaclyn Hawse(808) 455-1600 x246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org