Hawaii Hawaii

Kendall, Steven Edward
Navy operations specialist

Steven Edward Kendall, age 30, from Hawaii, Honolulu county.

Parents: Shirley

Service era: Cold War

Date of death: Sunday, May 17, 1987
Death details: Died aboard the USS Stark. While in the Persian Gulf on May 17, 1987, she was struck by two Iraqi Exocet missiles, killing 37 sailors and wounding 21. Brought under control, the frigate sailed to Bahrain and was successfully repaired at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Following repairs and subsequent tours in the Atlantic and Middle East, Stark was decommissioned on May 7, 1999, and was scrapped in 2006.

Source: Associated Press, National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Izu, Isamu
Army Private 1st class

Isamu Izu from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 8, 1951
Death details: On July 11, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 21st Infantry Regiment, which had arrived in Korea six days earlier, was placed in defensive positions near the town of Chochiwon, South Korea. The regiment was not at full strength and lacked artillery and anti-tank weapons. That day, they were attacked by North Korean forces and were forced to withdraw to avoid being surrounded, as well as to buy time until they could be reinforced and resupplied. Corporal Isamu Izu, who joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii, served with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12 a few miles north of Chochiwon, and forced to march north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia at the camp near An-dong on July 8, 1951, and was buried in a nearby cemetery. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Izu is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Nihei, Lawrence Yukio
Army Private 1st class

Lawrence Yukio Nihei, age 20, from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, December 3, 1950
Death details: On the evening of November 27, 1950, Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launched a massive attack against the U.S. and United Nations (UN) troops stationed in the Chosin Reservoir area in north-east North Korea. The resulting seventeen-day conflict became known as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At the time of the initial CCF attack, members of the U.S. Army’s 31st and 32nd Infantry Regiments were defending the area north of Sinhung-ni, on the east side of the reservoir. The defenders were overwhelmed by the numerically superior CCF, and on December 1 were forced to withdraw to friendly lines at Hagaru-ri. Many men were lost or captured during the withdraw, with survivors reaching friendly lines in Hagaru-ri on December 2 and 3. Once at Hagaru-ri, the survivors of the withdrawal manned a section of the perimeter near East Hill, a strong defensive position overlooking the town. On the night of December 3, the Chinese attacked the Hagaru-ri perimeter and overwhelmed the defenders there. Many Americans were killed or went missing during these actions. Corporal Lawrence Yukio Nihei, who joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii, served with Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action during the CCF attacks on December 3, 1950, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. No one saw him fall in battle, and he was never reported to be a prisoner of war. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Corporal Nihei is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Takahashi, Richard Masao
Army Private 1st class

Richard Masao Takahashi, age 19, from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, December 3, 1950
Death details: On the evening of November 27, 1950, Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launched a massive attack against the U.S. and United Nations (UN) troops stationed in the Chosin Reservoir area in north-east North Korea. The resulting seventeen-day conflict became known as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At the time of the initial CCF attack, members of the U.S. Army’s 31st and 32nd Infantry Regiments were defending the area north of Sinhung-ni, on the east side of the reservoir. The defenders were overwhelmed by the numerically superior CCF, and on December 1 were forced to withdraw to friendly lines at Hagaru-ri. Many men were lost or captured during the withdraw, with survivors reaching friendly lines in Hagaru-ri on December 2 and 3. Once at Hagaru-ri, the survivors of the withdrawal manned a section of the perimeter near East Hill, a strong defensive position overlooking the town. On the night of December 3, the Chinese attacked the Hagaru-ri perimeter and overwhelmed the defenders there. Many Americans were killed or went missing during these actions. Corporal Richard Masao Takahashi, who joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii, served with I Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT) at the Chosin Reservoir. He was reported missing in action near Hagaru-ri on December 3, as his unit participated in the defense of the town. The exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown; he was not seen to fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. After the war, Cpl Takahashi’s remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Corporal Takahashi is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Chang, Albert Sa Kin
Army Corporal

Albert Sa Kin Chang from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Monday, November 27, 1950
Death details: On November 27, 1950, B Company of the U.S. Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, an element of Task Force Dolvin/Wilson, was holding a hastily erected defensive position near the village of Tong-dong, North Korea, when Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) attacked the company’s perimeter from two sides. After heavy fighting, the Chinese successfully infiltrated the American positions, forcing a withdrawal under heavy mortar and artillery fire. The U.S. troops pulled back to another position a mile farther south. Sergeant Albert Sa Kin Chang entered the U.S. Army from Hawaii and served with B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On November 27, SGT Chang was captured during this withdrawal from Tong-dong. As a prisoner of war (POW), he was eventually marched to POW Camp 5 at Pyoktong, on the Yalu River, where he died on or before April 30, 1951, and was buried near the camp. His remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. following the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Chang is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Heu, William M. S.
Army Private

William M. S. Heu, age 20, from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Private First Class William Mun-Shin Hue joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii and was a member of Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 1, 1950, Company E was in defensive positions with the 2nd Battalion near Unsan when the Battalion came under heavy attack and was forced to withdraw. Private First Class Hue went missing during this action, though circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported as a prisoner of war and was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Hue is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Matsunaga, Jospeh Junichi
Army Corporal

Jospeh Junichi Matsunaga, age 30, from Hawaii.

Parents: Kojiro Matsunaga

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Sergeant Joseph Junichi Matsunaga joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii and served with the Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 1, 1950, Headquarters Company was with the 2nd Battalion near Unsan with when it came under heavy fire and received orders to withdraw. Eventually surrounded and besieged by CCF, some members of the unit became trapped and dug inside foxholes or behind bunkers. Sergeant Matsunaga was lost during the withdrawal from the Unsan area, although the exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported as a prisoner of war nor was he identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Sergeant Matsunaga is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Honolulu Star Belletin (1954)

Park, Raymond
Army Corporal

Raymond Park, age 22, from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Sergeant Raymond Park joined the U.S. Army from Hawaii and was a member of Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Company E was in defensive positions with the 2nd Battalion near Unsan when it came under heavy attacks and was forced to withdraw. Many soldiers, including SGT Park, took to the surrounding hills to escape. On November 5, these soldiers encountered a group of CCF, who then fired upon them. Sergeant Park was killed in the encounter. Several repatriated American prisoners of war (POWs) confirmed this report; however, a burial location was not recorded. Additionally, SGT Park has not been identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Sergeant Park is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Kailianu, Robert Wilcox
Army Private 1st class

Robert Wilcox Kailianu from Hawaii.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal Robert Wilcox Kailianu entered the U.S. Army from Hawaii and served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while his unit was withdrawing through and around enemy roadblocks outside Taejon. He was moved between various holding camps, and eventually became a part of the Tiger March to the “Apex” prisoner of war (POW) camps located in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and malnutrition during the last week of December 1950 in the camp at the village of Hanjang-ni. Cpl Kailianu was buried by his companions near the camp; however, his remains were not recovered or identified after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Kailianu is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Mendonca, Anthony F.
Army Private 1st class

Anthony F. Mendonca, age 28, from Hawaii, Hawaii, Waipahoehoe county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, June 28, 1944
Death details: On April 9, 2020, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Private First Class Anthony F. Mendonca, missing from World War II. Private First Class Mendonca entered the U.S. Army from Hawaii and was a member of Company A, 160th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. On June 28, 1944, he was killed in action against Japanese forces on Saipan. His remains could not be recovered and identified at the time if his loss. In 2020, the DPAA examined a set of unidentified remains that had been recovered from Saipan after the war, though the exact circumstances surrounding the original recovery of these remains was unknown. Forensic analysis eventually revealed these remains to be those of PFC Mendonca.
Cemetery: Honolulu Memorial

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, findagrave.com

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