Veteran of the most decorated unit in WWII celebrates 100th Birthday
World War II Veteran Minoru "Min" Hamada thinks he is just a regular American, but the dozens who gathered for his 100th birthday party would disagree.
A lifelong resident of Weber County, Hamada grew up on his parent’s farm during the Great Depression. He jokes that he joined the Army, because he didn’t want to be a farmer, but the truth is much more complicated.
“I joined the U.S. Army not to please myself. I wanted to prove that I was an American—not Japanese, because I was born and raised right here in Ogden,” said Hamada.
After enlisting, Hamada went off to basic training in Florida, knowing he would serve as a replacement for the 442 Regimental Combat Team. The unit was made up entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans.
After training. Hamada remembers immediately being sent overseas, first briefly to England, then across the English Channel to France, and finally to the front lines in Italy’s Po Valley, where he was injured in action.
Nearly 80 years later, he still clearly recalls that day. His company was ordered to take a hill. The trees had all been cut down—so there was little cover. As his unit marched up the bare hillside, they faced a constant barrage of machine gun fire, and as they got closer to the top, the enemy started hurling grenades. He remembers dropping to the ground and a grenade hitting him in the back. The grenade bounced off him and exploded a short distance away. Shrapnel tore through his backside.
“It went through my back pocket, where I carried my spoon. Well, the shrapnel went through the spoon and hit my pelvis and stopped. So, the surgeon said ‘you’re lucky, if you didn’t have that spoon, you probably would’ve shattered your pelvis,’” said Hamada.
The injury landed Hamada in a field hospital, where he would spend the rest of the war. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries.
Following the war, he returned to Utah and got married, but he continued to serve his country. He worked as a dental prosthetist at Hill Air Force Base for thirty years before retiring. Hamada credits his family and exercise for his longevity. He still walks six days a week at the Newgate Mall in Ogden.
During his 100th birthday party, Hamada was presented with a certificate and challenge coin from VA Secretary, Denis McDonough, challenge coins from the Order of Purple Heart and Riverdale Fire Department, and a special video message from Utah 1st Congressional District, Representative Blake Moore. Moore noted that Hamada’s unit was the most decorated unit in World War II and that while Hamada was not placed in an internment camp, many in his unit were. He praised Hamada and his unit for fighting for the nation while facing prejudice at home.
“I don’t know why all these people are here, I just wanted to serve my country,” Hamada said. Thank you, Mr. Hamada for your service!
Do you know of a Veteran in Utah, Southern Idaho, or Eastern Nevada that is about to celebrate their 100th birthday, please reach out to our Center for Development and Civic Engagement team at 801-584-1241.