Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans

By Ms Adrienne M Combs (JFHQNCRMDW)November 3, 2011

Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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Bronze Star Medal and Congressional Gold Medal presented to Japanese-American Veterans
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More than 1,500 veterans and family members gathered in Washington, DC Nov. 1-3 to honor Japanese-American veterans who served during World War II.

Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the Army chief of staff, presented the Bronze Star Medal to 31 veterans and posthumously to 9 family members of the U.S. Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RTC) and 100th Infantry Battalion during a ceremony at the Washington Hilton Hotel on November 1st.

Veterans were honored for fighting bravely in World War II and were instrumental in the nation's success in Europe between 1943 and 1945. A wreath laying ceremony was held after the ceremony at the World War II Memorial.

On November 2nd, the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony was held at the U.S. Capitol's Emancipation Hall. Veterans from the 442nd RCT, 100th Inf. Bn., and the Military Intelligence Service were awarded the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions to the United States of America.

The final event, a Remembrance Ceremony at the National Japanese-American Memorial to Patriotism, was held on Nov. 3.

Tina Peck was the lead for the ceremonial events at the Hilton, World War II Memorial and Japanese-American Memorial from the Military District of Washington. Soldiers from The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) participated in the Bronze Star ceremony, Wreath Laying at the World War II Memorial, Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony and Remembrance Ceremony at the Japanese-American Memorial.

Participation included: music by the U.S. Army Band Army, Color Guard, announcer, wreath bearers and support personnel at the Bronze Star Ceremony; buglers from the U.S. Army Band, announcer and escorts for the wreath bearers at the World War II Memorial; music by the U.S. Army Band, The U.S. Army Chorus and announcer for the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the Capital; and bugler from the U.S. Army Band and a wreath bearer for the Remembrance Ceremony at the National Japanese-American Memorial.

Soldiers also assisted as bus coordinators and escorts for the events for the veterans and their families and the JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs Office assisted the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs with media escorting duties.