This image shows a funeral for eight Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) soldiers who died in World War II. They were members of the 442nd Regiment, which was composed entirely of Japanese Americans. The 442nd is the most decorated unit in US Army history for its size and length of service. Five of the soldiers died in action in France in October 1944, while on a mission to rescue a battalion which had been cut off from the rest of the army. The other three died during training in the United States. The five who died in France were: Ned Nakamura, Jero Kanetomi, Yoshio Kato, Yoshito Noritake, and Masao Shigemura. The three who died during training were: Eugene Amabe, Tetsuo Shigaya, and Eugene Hayashi. A service including both Christian and Buddhist rites was held for the eight men at the First Methodist Church. They were then buried at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Washelli Cemetery.

This image shows surviving members of the 442nd as well as family and friends of the deceased at the funeral. Two caskets draped in US flags are visible at far left.

Caption information source: “Memorial to Honor Nisei of Seattle area,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 18, 1948, page 34.