United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) announced that in response to an application submitted by Akaka and the 442nd Veterans Club of Hawaii, the Secretary of the Army has recommended then-Technician Sergeant James K. Okubo of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team for the nation's highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Okubo, a medic who served as a member of the Medical Detachment of the 442nd, was originally awarded the Silver Star, the third highest award for valor in combat, for heroism displayed over several days in rescuing and delivering aid to fellow soldiers during the 442nd's famous relief of the Texas "Lost Battalion."
"I am immensely pleased with the Army's decision," Akaka said. "Sgt. Okubo's heroism on the battlefield is an inspiration to all who believe in duty, honor, and service to one's country. Sgt. Okubo takes his rightful place among America's great war heroes. He is a shining example of the sacrifices made by so many other Asian Pacific Americans during World War II, who served our country so ably in spite of the difficulties they faced as members of a suspect minority."
Okubo was originally recommended to receive the Medal of Honor by his commanding officers in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, but the medal was downgraded to the Silver Star. The explanation given for the downgrade: as a medic, he was not eligible for any award higher than the Silver Star.
Senator Akaka requested reconsideration of Okubo's case under a special provision of law (Section 1130, 10 U.S.C.) that allows Members of Congress to require the military to review a proposal for an award regardless whether the deadline for considering such award has passed. The Army recommendation must still clear a number of hurdles before Okubo can receive the Medal of Honor. The Secretary of Defense and the President must ultimately approve the award, and Congress must pass special legislation to waive the time restrictions on award of the Medal of Honor that apply to Okubo's case. However, it would be highly unusual for the Defense Secretary or the President to reject a military award recommended by the Secretary of the Army and the Senior Army Decorations Board. It is uncertain whether Congress will approve a special waiver in the few weeks remaining in the current session of Congress, but, promised Akaka, "I am committed to making every effort to ensure that Congress considers a waiver sooner rather than later."
Okubo, a native of Alturas, California, and a dentist by profession, died in 1967 in a car accident. He is survived by his wife Nobuyo Okubo, of Walled Lake, Michigan, and three children. Okubo's case was brought to Senator Akaka's attention by the 442nd Veterans Club and was based on original research by a special committee of the Oahu AJA Veterans Council. The Veterans Council has promised full support for Akaka's efforts to pass a waiver.
Senator Akaka stressed that the Okubo case is entirely separate from an ongoing review the military is conducting to determine whether some of the Asian Pacific Americans who received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the nation's second highest award, during World War II, should be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. The review, which was required under Akaka's legislation included in the FY96 Defense Authorization Bill, encompassed more than a hundred DSC awardees. It is unknown at this time when the results of that review will be announced, but Akaka hopes that a significant number of Asian Pacific veterans will be recommended for the nation's highest award at the conclusion of the review process.
Senator Akaka has long championed the cause of Asian Pacific American veterans of World War II. In addition to the DSC review initiative, he wrote legislation that enabled dozens of members of the secret all-Nisei Military Intelligence Service to secure various medals. He also successfully obtained the Distinguished Service Medal for the late Richard Sakakida of Hawaii, who served as a spy in the Philippines, under the same provision of law that applies to the Okubo case.
