Yoshio “Yosh” Nakamura waves to crowds as he rides in the 2023 Nisei Week Grand Parade in Little Tokyo. The veteran of the 442 RCT who served during World War II went on to a career in education and was an active member of Go For Broke National Education Center. He passed away Nov. 22 at age 100.
Yoshio “Yosh” Nakamura, a World War II veteran and educator who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year, passed away on Nov. 22.
Born in June 1925 in Rosemead, Nakamura was 16 when he and his family were incarcerated at the Gila River camp in Arizona. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s M Company, serving as an ammunition carrier on a mortar team.
He participated in the famous scaling of Monte Folgorito, in complete darkness, to launch a surprise attack on the Nazis that helped break the Gothic Line. He received a Bronze Star and was made a member of the French Legion of Honor.
After the war, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from USC, taught at Whittier High School, and was the founding director of the Art Department at Rio Hondo College in Whittier. He was an active member of Go For Broke National Education Center in Los Angeles and other community organizations.
The fine arts building at Whittier High School and part of the Whittier Art Gallery are named in his honor, and his artwork is at the Guggenheim Collection in New York and the Smithsonian Institution.
In the 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Nakamura was among the Nisei veterans who rode on a “Go For Broke” float sponsored by the City of Alhambra. He was accompanied by Roy Fujiwara of Honolulu, 442nd; Dr. Susumu “Sus” Ito of Boston, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion of the 442nd; Tokuji “Toke” Yoshihashi of Alhambra, 100th Infantry Battalion; and Masao “Mas” Takahashi of Torrance, 100th.
Nakamura was featured in Shane Sato’s 2017 book “The Go For Broke Spirit,” which profiled Nisei veterans.
In 2018, he was honored as Military Hero of the Game at Dodger Stadium during a game between the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels. In 2019, he was recognized at a football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes.
In 2022, Nakamura received the Pioneer Spirit Award during Nisei Week for his work as an arts educator and leader in the Japanese American community.
Veterans Yosh Nakamura (left) Susumu Ito and Roy Fujiwara have a photo opportunity with a young admirer just ahead of riding in the 2015 Rose Parade. “I’m representing those who are fallen, and some who are not well enough to be here, especially my squad leader, who kept me out of danger and kept after me to join the reunions,” Nakamura said. “I’m pleased that I have the health and stamina to join special events like this.”
In 2023, Nakamura was a special guest at the opening of “The Go For Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits” at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The exhibition included his portrait.
He was predeceased by Grace (née Shinoda), his wife of 57 years, and is survived by children Linda, Daniel and Joel, their spouses and their children.
Following are some of the tributes from community organizations:
Japanese American National Museum: “JANM mourns the passing of Yosh Nakamura. A steadfast supporter of JANM, he was a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an accomplished artist, and treasured educator.
“Born in Rosemead, Calif., he was imprisoned at the Tulare temporary detention center in California and the Gila River concentration camp in Arizona before being drafted into the 442nd RTC. While stationed in Italy, he discovered his love for art and delved into the works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael. That intense immersion laid the foundation for his future career in art education.
“After being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1946, Nakamura earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art from USC. In 1952 he started teaching art at Whittier High School in Whittier, Calif. He always gave his students the space and freedom to express themselves and became one of the high school’s most popular teachers.
“In 1963 he joined Rio Hondo College as the community college’s first professor. He spent nearly 30 years there as an art professor, dean, and vice president of community services and institutional development.
“In October 2023, the Whittier Art Gallery staged a retrospective of his work called ‘Yoshio Nakamura: 75 Years of Artistry.’ On March 12, 2024, the Whittier Union Board of Trustees unanimously voted to dedicate the Whittier High School Fine Arts building in his honor.
“On April 6, 2024, Nakamura was thanked for his service in the 442nd RTC and presented the Legacy Award to David Ono for his work on ‘Defining Courage’ during JANM’s annual benefit. He celebrated his 100th birthday during the summer of 2025.”
“JANM is deeply saddened by the passing of Yosh Nakamura,” said Ann Burroughs, JANM president and CEO. “He was a beloved artist, educator, and hero who fought prejudice and hate at home and the enemy abroad. His service to his country, his dedication to his students, and his personal mission to share the Nisei soldier story inspires us to be our best selves and work towards a more just future.”
In 2016, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn invited Yosh Nakamura to a Board of Supervisors meeting, where she presented him with a scroll from the county in honor of his service. Nakamura spoke to the crowd about the injustice of the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans and the importance of learning from the mistakes of the past.
Go For Broke National Education Center: “It is with great sadness that Go For Broke National Education Center announces the passing of Yoshio ‘Yosh’ Nakamura on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Yosh celebrated his 100th birthday this past June, surrounded by a community that loved him. In recent months, his health had declined following a stroke, but his spirit and legacy remained undiminished.
“For decades, Yosh was a cherished presence at our galas, programs, and community gatherings as a steadfast champion of his fellow Nisei WWII veterans. Through hundreds of public appearances, he shared his story with grace and conviction, ensuring that the sacrifices of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team would never be forgotten.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Yosh for everything he gave — during the war, after the war, and in every moment he chose to stand up and speak out. He will be profoundly missed.
“Details regarding a memorial service will be shared as they become available. The family respectfully requests privacy during this difficult time.”
Whittier High School Alumni Association: “The Whittier High School Alumni Association mourns the loss of WHS faculty member Yoshio Nakamura, who passed away on Nov. 22 at the age of 100.
“‘What an amazing individual!’ remarked Alumni Association President Rob West upon learning of his passing.
“A Japanese American (Nisei), Yosh grew up in Rosemead prior to the events of World War II. Following a period of internment, he served in the war in Europe as a member of the ‘Go for Broke’ 442nd Regimental Combat Team, earning numerous military honors, including a Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor. Yosh’s unit received a Presidential Unit Citation and the Congressional Gold Medal.
“Yosh served as an art teacher at Whittier High School from 1952-63. Several of his students, including Lorne Peterson and Raul Rodriguez, would go on to successful careers in the arts themselves. A mural by Yosh hangs in the Whittier High library. He was inducted into the Whittier High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2024, the ‘Q’ building at Whittier High School was named in his honor.
“Following 11 years at Whittier High, Yosh moved up to Rio Hondo College, serving as an art professor, dean and vice president of community services.
“A prolific artist, Yosh’s works were the subject of more than 150 exhibitions. Yosh’s work could frequently be found at the Whittier Art Gallery and the Hillcrest Fine Arts Festival.
“More than anything else, he was known as a kind and caring member of the Whittier community. He and his family donated a scholarship to the Whittier High School Alumni Association for several years.”
Whittier Union High School District: Whittier Union is saddened to share the passing of long-time Whittier resident and beloved educator Yoshio ‘Yosh’ Nakamura. A World War II Veteran and member of the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Mr. Nakamura went on to inspire generations of students as an art teacher at Whittier High School and later at Río Hondo College. Last year, Whittier Union proudly dedicated Whittier High’s art building in his honor — an enduring tribute to his service, his leadership, and the countless lives he touched.
“The district extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Nakamura’s family, friends, former students, and all who were shaped by his remarkable legacy.”