The Other Yamamoto – An American Hero

The Other Yamamoto – An American Hero is a story of bravery, resilience, and unshakable loyalty to one’s country, even in the face of immense adversity. In 1936, a young man named Fred Yamamoto graduated from Palo Alto High School, filled with dreams of a bright future. An avid diarist, Fred often penned down his thoughts, capturing moments of his youthful years. However, five years after graduation, Fred turned to his diary once again, this time documenting a moment that would alter his life and shape American history: “Japan has declared war! They have attacked Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Guam, and more. What chaos!”

December 7, 1941, was a defining moment in American history—a day of grief and shock as the nation grappled with the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese fleet. Like every American, Fred Yamamoto was stunned by the news. But what Fred could not have foreseen was how deeply the attack would affect him personally. Just months after the bombing, his freedom was stripped away when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced internment of over 100,000 Japanese-Americans, including Fred and his family. They were first sent to Santa Anita and later relocated to Heart Mountain, Wyoming.

Despite the prejudice and harsh conditions faced by him and his community, Fred Yamamoto chose to uphold his belief in America. When Japanese-American men were finally allowed to enlist or be drafted, Fred volunteered. In his diary, he reaffirmed his faith in the United States, declaring his willingness to serve a country that had unjustly imprisoned him and his family.

Fred’s decision to enlist met resistance from his mother and many others in the internment camp, but his resolve never wavered. He became one of the first men from Heart Mountain to volunteer for the U.S. Army. Almost a year after enlisting, Fred was assigned to the famed 442nd Infantry Regiment—a unit predominantly made up of Japanese-Americans. This regiment would go on to earn the distinction of becoming the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.

The 442nd Infantry Regiment did not fight in the Pacific Theater but was instead deployed to Europe. In 1944, Fred and his unit landed in Rome and later advanced to Northern France. During the fierce battle to rescue the Lost Battalion on October 28, 1944, Fred Yamamoto was struck by shrapnel and tragically lost his life. He was only 26 years old.

Fred Yamamoto’s life was marked by courage and sacrifice. Despite enduring only five years of freedom after high school before the Pearl Harbor attack turned his world upside down, he stood firm in his principles. For his extraordinary service and ultimate sacrifice, Fred Yamamoto was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Fred Yamamoto’s story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who believed in justice and freedom, even when their own rights were stripped away. His name, often overshadowed by the infamous Japanese Admiral Yamamoto, deserves recognition as a symbol of loyalty and bravery.

Fred Yamamoto was not just a soldier; he was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His life inspires us to stand for what is right, even in the darkest times. Let his legacy remind us of the contributions of Japanese-Americans during World War II and their enduring impact on American history.