MLB Catcher Kyle Higashioka receives Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of grandfather at National Army Museum

Higashioka's grandfather served in famed WWII unit for Soldiers of Japanese ancestry while family confined in wartime relocation center

FORT BELVOIR, Va., July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka was presented today with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively in 2011 to his paternal grandfather and fellow members of the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service during World War II.

The presentation was arranged jointly by the National Veterans Network (NVN) and the Players Trust, the charitable arm of The Major League Baseball Players Association. Retired General Eric Shinseki, Chair of The Army Historical Foundation and 34th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, presided over the ceremony, held at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Higashioka's grandfather, G. Shigeru Higashioka, served in Company A of the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442ndRegimental Combat Team from 1943 – 1945, participating in the European campaigns that made the unit the most highly decorated in Army history. Like many American soldiers of Japanese ancestry at the time, he served valiantly while the U.S. government confined his parents and brothers in Poston War Relocation Authority camp, out of prejudiced suspicions of Japanese Americans. NVN conducted extensive research to uncover details of the elder Higashioka's military service and his family's experience at Poston WRA in Arizona.

"I am incredibly honored to accept the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of my grandfather," Higashioka said. "Learning more about his heroism, especially in light of the injustice faced by many Nisei families, is humbling and inspiring, and has influenced my own charitable work with veterans. I'd encourage all Americans to talk to the veterans in your lives, listen to their stories, and consider all they have endured on our behalf."

The ceremony took place in a special exhibition area of the museum featuring the Nisei Soldier Experience, a temporary exhibit with an unprecedented collection of Japanese American artifacts. In 2011 the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, was presented to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service by the United States Congress.

Shinseki, whose four decades of Army service were inspired by his uncles' service in the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT, emphasized the importance of sharing this rarely told story because it tells how the deep prejudice of the time was met by the Nisei Soldiers' enduring belief in the promise of our country and their unwavering will to serve.

In addition to discovering more about Higashioka's grandfather's service, NVN located newspaper articles that recorded Higashioka's uncles playing for a camp baseball team. Baseball had been embraced by Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century, so they formed teams in all 10 WRA camps as a way to build morale and maintain a sense of normalcy.

"The Players Trust was proud to be part of this special moment with Kyle and help recognize both his grandfather's storied military service and how his uncles looked to the game that he loves to rise above the extraordinary challenges of the time," said Players Trust Director Amy Hever. "This was a unique opportunity to further Kyle's commitment to our servicemen and women while also recognizing his own family's military experience."

The Nisei Soldier Experience at the National Museum of the United States Army currently displays the original Congressional Gold Medal on loan from the Smithsonian Institution until fall of 2025 when the Nisei Soldier Experience closes. The Museum, NVN and The Army Historical Foundation are currently developing the I Am An American: the Nisei Soldier Experience traveling exhibit that will launch in 2026. The Nisei Soldier Experience is included with the Museum's free, timed-entry tickets, which are available by request through the Museum's website at theNMUSA.org.

About the National Museum of the United States Army

The National Museum of the United States Army provides the only comprehensive portrayal of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American Soldier. By preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting invaluable artifacts, the National Army Museum creates learning opportunities for all visitors and bonds the American people to their oldest military service. We are America's Army Museum. The U.S. Army owns and operates the Museum. The Army Historical Foundation continues its fundraising role in support of the Museum and manages all retail, catering, and special events. The Museum is open daily with free admission. For more information on the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.theNMUSA.org.

More details about the Museum can be found in the Museum's media kit. A collection of high-resolution photos is available https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmymuseum/.

About The Army Historical Foundation

The Army Historical Foundation establishes, assists, and promotes programs and projects that preserve the history of the American Soldier and promote public understanding of and appreciation for the contributions by all components of the U.S. Army and its members. The Foundation serves as the Army's official fundraising entity for the Capital Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army. The award-winning, LEED-certified Museum opened on November 11, 2020, at Fort Belvoir, Va., and honors the service and sacrifice of all American Soldiers who have served since the Army's inception in 1775. For more information on the Foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.armyhistory.org.

About the Players Trust

Established in 1996, the Major League Baseball Players Trust is the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The Players Trust is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that harnesses the expertise, influence, and passions of players to create meaningful and sustainable change in the lifelong well-being of others. The organization amplifies the social impact of players throughout the communities where they live, play, and call home, impacting thousands of nonprofits and individuals around the world. For additional information, please visit www.playerstrust.org.

Media Contacts: 

The Army Historical Foundation
Daniel Gregory: 215-285-4137 [email protected]

National Veterans Network
Michelle M. Suzuki: 310-930-6655 [email protected]

Major League Baseball Players Association
Kevin Slack: 646-627-6816 [email protected]

About National Veterans Network

NVN's mission is to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to promote equality and justice. The organization launched the campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the first Asian American recipients in the 100th, 442nd and MIS units, and worked with the U.S. Mint to design the medal. In 2012, the organization partnered with the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for a seven-city tour to promote recognition of the Japanese American experience. In 2016, along with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, NVN launched an online Digital Exhibition to share the story of Japanese American soldiers of WWII (cgm.smithsonianapa.org). Beginning in 2017, NVN worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to gather artifacts from Japanese American WWII soldiers and their families that resulted in a special exhibit dedicated to Japanese American WWII soldiers when the Museum's opening in 2020 along with artifacts and information located throughout the museum. In 2020, the NVN in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, developed elementary and middle school curriculum. The NVN continues to honor the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry by promoting, protecting, and preserving their legacy of uncommon valor and selfless service for future generations.

Please visit us at www.nationalveteransnetwork.com, and follow the NVN on Facebook (NationalVeteransNetwork), Twitter (@NtlVetNetwork) or Instagram (nationalveteransnetwork).

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki
310-444-7115

SOURCE National Veterans Network