![]() Hershey hadn't seen action in World War II, however. Nisei were Americans born to immigrant Japanese families. Sadao Munemori had exemplified the patriotism and courage of the young Nisei, sacrificing his life for his native United States and earning the Medal of Honor. By the time the war ended the Nisei 442nd Infantry Regiment had tallied an incredible 47 Distinguished Service Crosses, 354 Silver Stars, and over 3,600 Purple Hearts. ![]() ![]() Determined to prove their loyalty to the United States, some of these young soldiers had established an incredible reputation as brave soldiers in Europe. It wasn't Hershey's first war, he had been called to duty back in 1944 at a time when many Japanese-Americans were prisoners in their own Nation-deprived of their homes and possessions-interred in "relocation camps". Now, at last, Hershey felt he had survived their hatred and torture and would finally see his young wife and family once again. As a Japanese-American soldier, the North Koreans had held special hate for the young man from Gallup, New Mexico. His own body was suffering from dysentery and he had lost 50 pounds, a horrible loss to a man already small in stature. "Hershey", as young Miyamura was called, had watched many of his fellow soldiers die slow, painful deaths at the hands or the neglect of their captors. It wasn't only that food and shelter had been so primitive, it was the added pain of torture and constant brainwashing. ![]() For a change, the approach of the guards would be a welcomed sight, Hiroshi Miyamura was finally going home. He looked one more time at the barren walls and desolation around him, the meager facilities in which he had struggled for survival for the last 28 months.a North Korean prisoner of war camp. The young Army Corporal waited nervously for the guards to arrive. ![]()
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