Background
Fukuhara was born in Seattle, Washington in 1920. His father died in 1933, and his mother took the family back to native Japan before the War.
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Harry Fukuhara
Edit Profile福原克治
Career
In 1938, following graduation from high-school in Japan, Harry returned to the United States. Military career
After enlisting in the Army from the Gila River internment camp in 1942, Fukuhara served in the Army in the Pacific as a linguist with the 33rd Infantry Division. He served in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns, earning a battlefield commission.
Toward the end of the war he was part of the force preparing to invade Kyushu, Japan.
Unknown to him, as he was preparing for the assault of Japan, he had a brother who was drafted in the Japanese Army who was preparing Kyushu"s defense. Following the conclusion of the War he was sent to Japanese prisoner camps where he had to tell them of the bombing and the emperor"s surrender.
Though both were suffering from the effects of radiation from the bomb, they had both survived. Following World World War II, Fukuhara temporarily returned to the United States before he returned with the Army to serve in the United States Army"s occupation and reconstruction of Japan.
His understanding of the language, culture, and tireless efforts were instrumental in developing post World World War II United States - Japanese relations.
He ended his distinguished career in uniform in 1971 as the military governor of the Yaeyama Islands Group in the Ryukyu Islands. Later life
Following his military career, Fukuhara served in Federal service, again retiring in 1991. He was inducted in into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 1988 and made a Distinguished Member.
He resided in San Jose, California and attended the Michigan Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies when able.
Fukuhara died in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 8, 2015.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
April 8, 2015 (aged 95) -
Nationality
American
Awards
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Bronze Star Medal; legionnaire of Legion of Merit; Legion of Merit Legion of Merit; Service Medal
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.