Ralph Hisao Wakayama

Dog Company, 100th Infantry Battalion

 

Ralph Wakayama (Co. D, 100th Inf. Bn.) [Courtesy of Gary Wakayama]
Ralph Hisao Wakayama, born January 20, 1916 on the island of Maui, was the second of five children born to Kinuji and Naka Wakayama. His younger brother, Mitsuo “Pipi” Wakayama, served in the MIS. Both his mom and dad passed away when Ralph was 11, so an aunt raised Ralph and his siblings.

Ralph was inducted to the U.S. Army in February 1942. He served with Able Company, Engineers Battalion and Dog Company, 100th Infantry Battalion, and participated in the Rome-Arno Campaign, North Apennines Campaign, Po Valley Campaign and Rhineland Campaign. In Company D, Ralph supervised the operation of four heavy mortars during combat in Italy and France.

He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Distinguished Unit Badge (DUB). European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

After the war, Ralph returned to Oahu where he met and married Lei. In the 1950s, he and Lei moved to Gardena, California where he worked as a steel supervisor, doing the rebar job at construction sites in downtown, Los Angeles. He was a member of the Gardenia Nisei Memorial VFW Post 1961 and the Kalama Hawaii social group that many of the veterans were a part of.

After retiring, Ralph and Lei moved to a retirement community in Summerlin, Las Vegas. Ralph enjoyed playing the ukulele and Lei was an accomplished hula dancer. They often performed for the other senior residents. They both passed away in September 2003.

Ralph’s nephew, Gary Wakayama, recalls: “He was always a gentleman. Calm, dignified, never raised his voice, always respectful and loving towards Lei. Hard worker, just a very nice person.”

Ralph was interviewed about his wartime experiences by “Discover Nikkei,” which can be viewed here: “Discover Nikkei” interview with Ralph Wakayama