MLB Catcher Kyle Higashioka receives Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of grandfather at National Army Museum
MLB Catcher Kyle Higashioka receives Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of grandfather at National Army Museum
Fort Belvoir, Va. (July 22, 2024)— San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka was presented today with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively in 2011 to his paternal grandfather and fellow members of the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service during World War II.
The presentation was arranged jointly by the National Veterans Network (NVN) and the Players Trust, the charitable arm of The Major League Baseball Players Association. Retired General Eric Shinseki, Chair of The Army Historical Foundation and 34th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, presided over the ceremony, held at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Higashioka’s grandfather, G. Shigeru Higashioka, served in Company A of the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team from 1943 – 1945, participating in the European campaigns that made the unit the most highly decorated in Army history. Like many American soldiers of Japanese ancestry at the time, he served valiantly while the U.S. government confined his parents and brothers in Poston War Relocation Authority camp, out of prejudiced suspicions of Japanese Americans. NVN conducted extensive research to uncover details of the elder Higashioka’s military service and his family’s experience at Poston WRA in Arizona.
“I am incredibly honored to accept the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of my grandfather,” Higashioka said. “Learning more about his heroism, especially in light of the injustice faced by many Nisei families, is humbling and inspiring, and has influenced my own charitable work with veterans. I’d encourage all Americans to talk to the veterans in your lives, listen to their stories, and consider all they have endured on our behalf.”
The ceremony took place in a special exhibition area of the museum featuring the Nisei Soldier Experience, a temporary exhibit with an unprecedented collection of Japanese American artifacts. In 2011 the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor, was presented to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service by the United States Congress.
Shinseki, whose four decades of Army service were inspired by his uncles’ service in the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT, emphasized the importance of sharing this rarely told story because it tells how the deep prejudice of the time was met by the Nisei Soldiers’ enduring belief in the promise of our country and their unwavering will to serve.
In addition to discovering more about Higashioka’s grandfather’s service, NVN located newspaper articles that recorded Higashioka’s uncles playing for a camp baseball team. Baseball had been embraced by Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century, so they formed teams in all 10 WRA camps as a way to build morale and maintain a sense of normalcy.
“The Players Trust was proud to be part of this special moment with Kyle and help recognize both his grandfather’s storied military service and how his uncles looked to the game that he loves to rise above the extraordinary challenges of the time,” said Players Trust Director Amy Hever. “This was a unique opportunity to further Kyle’s commitment to our servicemen and women while also recognizing his own family’s military experience.”
The Nisei Soldier Experience at the National Museum of the United States Army currently displays the original Congressional Gold Medal on loan from the Smithsonian Institution until fall of 2025 when the Nisei Soldier Experience closes. The Museum, NVN and The Army Historical Foundation are currently developing the I Am An American: the Nisei Soldier Experience traveling exhibit that will launch in 2026. The Nisei Soldier Experience is included with the Museum’s free, timed-entry tickets, which are available by request through the Museum’s website at theNMUSA.org.
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About the National Museum of the United States Army
The National Museum of the United States Army provides the only comprehensive portrayal of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American Soldier. By preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting invaluable artifacts, the National Army Museum creates learning opportunities for all visitors and bonds the American people to their oldest military service. We are America’s Army Museum. The U.S. Army owns and operates the Museum. The Army Historical Foundation continues its fundraising role in support of the Museum and manages all retail, catering, and special events. The Museum is open daily with free admission. For more information on the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.theNMUSA.org.
More details about the Museum can be found in the Museum’s media kit. A collection of high-resolution photos is available https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmymuseum/.
About The Army Historical Foundation
The Army Historical Foundation establishes, assists, and promotes programs and projects that preserve the history of the American Soldier and promote public understanding of and appreciation for the contributions by all components of the U.S. Army and its members. The Foundation serves as the Army’s official fundraising entity for the Capital Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army. The award-winning, LEED-certified Museum opened on November 11, 2020, at Fort Belvoir, Va., and honors the service and sacrifice of all American Soldiers who have served since the Army’s inception in 1775. For more information on the Foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.armyhistory.org.
National Veterans Network
The National Veterans Network’s (NVN) mission is to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to promote equality and justice. In 2010, the organization led a national campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th, 442nd and MIS units. Following the awarding, NVN partnered with the Smithsonian on a seven-city tour to promote the recognition of the Nisei Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal along with the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal online exhibition that features 12 life stories of the 100th, 442nd and MIS. NVN continues to work with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center to develop K-8 lessons and trains teachers to incorporate the lessons into the classrooms. Since 2017, NVN has worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to provide the historical expertise on the Japanese American WWII experience for the Nisei Soldier Experience, a special exhibit that is on display at the Museum and will launch an 11 city Nisei Soldier traveling exhibition in 2026.
Please visit us https://nvnvets.org and follow the NVN on Facebook (NationalVeteransNetwork) or Instagram (nationalveteransnetwork).
About the Players Trust
Established in 1996, the Major League Baseball Players Trust is the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The Players Trust is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that harnesses the expertise, influence, and passions of players to create meaningful and sustainable change in the lifelong well-being of others. The organization amplifies the social impact of players throughout the communities where they live, play, and call home, impacting thousands of nonprofits and individuals around the world. For additional information, please visit www.playerstrust.org.
