Title:

PFC Walter Heirakuji, Nisei volunteer from Hawi, Hawaii, on the lawn of Dibble Hospital at Palo Alto, California, where he is being deleaded and patched up by the surgeons. PFG Heirakuji enlisted in Honolulu in March 1943 and trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He went overseas with the 442nd Combat Team, embarking from an eastern port in May, 1944 for Italy. It was at St. Luciane, Italy, that Walter stopped a lead of German shrapnel with both arms and his chest. Walter is 21 and was a painter in civilian life. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Jack Heirakuji at Box 20, Hawi, Hawaii. He is single. PFC Walter Heirakuji's decorations include: Purple Heart, ETO (one battle star), Combat Infantry Badge, and Good Conduct Ribbon. -- Photographer: Iwasaki, Hikaru -- Palo Alto, California. 7/14/45

Contributing Institution:

The Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley.