We’ve heard a lot of late of the contributions of Japanese Americans who fought for the 442nd Infantry Regiment, the 100th Battalion, and the Military Intelligent Service.
But did you know there were Japanese Americans who not only fought for the United States in World War I, but were honored for their service.
Hiedo Murata is one of those veterans, yet he was buried in an unmarked grave.
Today that injustice has finally been corrected. His story is a complex one, but thanks to a couple of stories in the San Luis Obispo Tribune, that story is now being told.
Online records of WWI draft cards indicate Murata was born in Kagoshima, Japan. In 1917 he worked as a farm laborer in Hayward, California.
His record in the war is a bit unclear, but his service was honored by Monterey County when he returned.
The resolution read:
“Monterey County presents greetings to Hiedo Murata:
“And in testimony of her heartfelt gratitude and appreciation presents this testimonial of her honor and respect for your loyal and splendid service to home and county in the Great World War of 1914-1919.
In 1942, Murata like thousands of other Japanese Americans was told he would have to leave his home and report to a concentration camp, euphemistically called a relocation center or internment camp.
The WWI veteran couldn’t see himself leaving his home now in Pismo Beach. He checked into the Olson Hotel on a Thursday. Friday he was found dead in his hotel room. He had killed himself.
Found in his pocket was his honorary citizenship certificate presented to him by Monterey County after his return from WWI.
His body was buried in an unmarked grave in the Arroyo Grande Cemetery for 75 years.
Arroyo Grande resident Deborah Love knew Murata deserved better.
“When I learned of Mr. Murata, a veteran, taking what measures he thought to be less undignified than internment, I realized that it was much more than wrong, and unfathomable, but tragic,” she said.
She launched a Go Fund Me page.
The $1,100 dollar raised was used to install Murata a proper headstone which the Santa Barbara Monumental Co. donated.
The marker reads:
Hiedo Murata
World War I Veteran
Honorary Citizen
For loyal and splendid service to home and country in the
great World War 1914-1919
“Nidoto Nai Yoni”
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