At a special reception attended by a standing-room-only audience at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., on May 21, the Japanese government honored Laupahoehoe native Terry Shima, executive director emeritus of the Japanese America Veterans Association (JAVA).
At a special reception attended by a standing-room-only audience at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., on May 21, the Japanese government honored Laupahoehoe native Terry Shima, executive director emeritus of the Japanese America Veterans Association (JAVA).
Shima was presented The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae. This honor was made in recognition of many years of significant contributions toward building strong relationships between Japan and the United States, and for his tireless work educating this generation on the Japanese American experience during World War II.
The award, given in the name of the emperor, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a non-Japanese civilian, said an embassy spokesman.
Shima said he was accepting the award “on behalf of the volunteers of JAVA and the Nisei who fought in Europe and the Pacific.”
More than 200 of Shima’s family members, relatives, friends and associates were in attendance. The theme of the evening was his role as a citizen — both of the United States and as a citizen of the world.
Shima received high praise for his achievements from Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), and former Secretary of Transportation and Commerce Norman Mineta. Letters from Sen. Mazie Hirono and the secretary of veterans affairs were read.
Other recipients of this award include actor George Takei and Floyd Mori, former national executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).
Shima was born and raised in Laupahoehoe and is a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II, considered to be one of the most decorated units of its size in American military history. After being discharged from the Army in 1946, Shima attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Graduate School, after which he served at the U.S. Forces Japan Headquarters and the U.S. Department of State, including the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
In February of this year, Shima was one of 18 selected from more thankl 6,000 nominations to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal, personally awarded by President Obama in a White House ceremony. He was specifically recognized “For strengthening the sacred trust between America and its veterans” and for energizing a program of preserving the oral and video recorded interviews of Japanese American servicemen who served in Europe and the Pacific during World War II, even while many of their families were relocated to internment camps at home.” Upon receiving the White House award, Shima said he accepted the award on behalf of JAVA and the men who fought in Europe and the Pacific…to settle the question of loyalty once and for all…”
Becoming the executive director of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) in 2004, Shima was recognized for spearheading programs benefitting all Asian Pacific American veterans and their families. Recently retiring from his post, he remains head of JAVA’s Education and Public Outreach Committee, which preserves the legacy of the World War II Nisei soldiers through providing presentations, talks, classroom teaching aids and panel discussions at education institutions, community organizations and government entities. He also assists the media in providing background information on the Japanese American experience during World War II and arranging interviews.
As JAVA executive director, Shima played a significant role in the National Veterans Network’s effort to coordinate the arrangement and celebration of the 2011 Congressional Gold Medal Award to the 100th Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. The award — the highest civilian honor the nation can bestow on an individual or organization — is intended to honor persons “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture … in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.” It was presented with more than 350 veterans in attendance, many in wheelchairs, who traveled to Washington, D.C., for this event.