Daniel Inouye

Daniel Ken "Dan" Inouye (September 7, 1924 – December 17, 2012) was an American politician from Hawaii.Cillizza, Chris.  "Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye dies at age 88," Washington Post. December 17, 2012; retrieved 2012-12-17. He was known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in World War II.US Army Center of Military History (CMH),  "Medal of Honor Recipients, World War II (G-L)" ; retrieved 2012-11-25.

Early life
Inouye was born in 1924 in the Territory of Hawaii.  He was the son of a father who was born in Japan and a mother whose parents were born there. He was a Nisei, a second-generation Japanese American.Kalamazoo Public Library,  "Senator Daniel Inouye: Nisei veteran" ; retrieved 2012-11-25.

Soldier
120px|left|thumb|Medal of Honor
Inouye was an officer in World War II.Associated Press (Chicago), "Keynoter Knows Sting of Bias, Poverty", St. Petersburg Times, August 27, 1968.  He volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team.Go for Broke National Education Center, "Medal of Honor Recipient 2nd Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye" ; retrieved 2012-12-7. The army unit was mostly made up of second-generation Japanese Americans from bith Hawaii and the mainland. "100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry" at Global Security.org; retrieved 2012-12-7.

He was wounded several times in the Battle of Colle Musatello, n Italy, and lost an arm. He remained in the U.S. Army until 1947, when he had reveived both the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. For his actions in April 1945, Inouye was awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).  In the 1990s, there was a review of service records of Asian Americans who received the DSC during World War II. Inouye's award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In a ceremony at the White House on June 21, 2000, he was presented with his medal by President Bill Clinton. Twenty-one other Asian Americans also received the medal during the ceremony, but only seven of them were still alive. "21 Asian American World War II Vets to Get Medal of Honor" at University of Hawaii Digital History ; retrieved 2012-12-27.

Medal of Honor citation
Inouye's Medal of Honor recognized his conduct in frontline fighting at San Terenzo, Italy, in April 1945.  Without help from others, he destroyed two machine gun nests; and he continued to fight and to lead his platoon after being wounded.CMH,  "Asian Pacific American Medal of Honor recipients" ; retrieved 2012-12-28.

Here are the words of Inouye's citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.Gomez-Granger, Julissa. (2008). Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2008,  "Inoue, Daniel K." pp. 10-11 [PDF 14-15 of 44]; HomeofHeroes.com,  "Inouye, Daniel K."; retrieved 2012-11-25.

Political areer
After the war, Inouye studied politics in college.  He was elected to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in the 1950s.

When Hawaii became a state, he was its first representative. He served as Senator from 1963 to 2012.

After 2010, Inouye was President Pro Tempore of the Senate, a title given to the longest-serving senator of the party in power.  That made him the highest-ranking Asian American politician in the history of the United States.

Inouye had plans to run for a record tenth term for senator in 2016, but he died on December 17, 2012, before his term was to be completed by January 3, 2017.

Family
Inouye's wife of 57 years, Maggie, died on March 13, 2006. On May 24, 2008, he married Irene Hirano in Beverly Hills, California. Hirano was the president and founding chief executive officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. On May 27, 2010, Hirano was elected by the board to chair the nation's second-largest non-profit, the Ford Foundation. Inouye's son Kenny was the guitarist for influential D.C. hardcore punk band Marginal Man.

Death
Inouye died on December 17, 2012 in Bethesda, Maryland, from a respiratory aliment, aged 88.

 Related pages 
 List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
 List of Asian American Medal of Honor recipients

 References 

Other websites

 "Army Secretary Lionizes 22 World War II Heroes" at Defense.gov 

Category:1924 births
Category:2012 deaths
Category:American military personnel of World War II
Category:Deans of the United States Senate
Category:Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun
Category:Politicians from Honolulu
Category:Presidents pro tempore of the United States Senate
Category:Purple Heart recipients
Category:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
Category:United States representatives from Hawaii
Category:United States senators from Hawaii
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:Military people from Hawaii