HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 3471CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 3471
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON URGING
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO NAME
THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTHOUSE FOR THE WESTERN
DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AFTER CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF
HONOR RECIPIENT WILLIAM K. NAKAMURA.
WHEREAS, William K. Nakamura was born in Seattle, attended Washington Elementary
School, graduated from Garfield High School in 1939, and attended the University of Washington
until he and his family were forcibly relocated to Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho; and
WHEREAS, despite a military deferment, later in 1942 William Nakamura volunteered to
enlist in the United States Army hoping to prove that Japanese-Americans were loyal Americans and
not the enemy; and
WHEREAS, on July 4, 1944, less than a month after D-Day, Private First Class William K.
Nakamura, a member of the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in
American military history, composed almost entirely of Japanese-Americans, distinguished himself by
extraordinary heroism in action near Castellina, Italy. During a fierce firefight, PFC Nakamura's
platoon became pinned down by enemy machine gun fire from a concealed position. On his own
initiative, PFC Nakamura crawled 20 yards toward the hostile nest with fire from the enemy machine
gun barely missing Mm. Reaching a point 15 yards from the position, he quickly raised himself to a
kneeling position and threw four hand grenades, killing or wounding at least three of the enemy
soldiers. The enemy weapon silenced, PFC Nakamura crawled back to his platoon, which was then
able to continue its advance as a result of his courageous action. Later, his company was ordered to
withdraw from the crest of a hill so that a mortar barrage could be placed on the ridge. On his own
initiative, PFC Nakamura remained in position to cover his comrades' withdrawal. While moving
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RESOLUTION NO. 3471
toward the safety of a wooded draw, his platoon became pinned down by deadly machine gun fire.
Crawling to a point from which he could fire on the enemy position, PFC Nakamura quickly and
accurately fired his weapon to pin down the enemy machine gunners. His platoon was then able to
withdraw to safety without further casualties. Private First Class Nakamura was killed during this
heroic stand; and
WHEREAS, in 1999 the United States government, after reviewing the records of PFC
William K. Nakamura, determined that PFC Nakamura and 20 other brave soldiers had been unfairly
deprived of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and issued them their medals; and
WHEREAS, other U.S. cities have named buildings, parks, public facilities, and airports
after local Medal of Honor recipients, including O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois, named after Lt.
Commander Edward H. O'Hare, a Chicago native who was also killed in World War II; and
WHEREAS, the United States Courthouse for the Western District of Washington located
in Seattle, Washington, is not named after any individual;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON, DO RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. The above recitals are found to be true and correct in all respects.
SECTION II. The City of Renton, Washington, respectfully requests that the
members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation introduce and secure passage of
legislation to name either the U.S. Courthouse for the Western District of Washington located at
1010 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, or the new U.S. District Courthouse to be built in Seattle,
after Washington native and Medal of Honor recipient William K. Nakamura.
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RESOLUTION NO. 3471
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 9thday of _ October _, 2000.
Marilyn JPPeteben, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this day of October _, 2000.
Jesse/Tanner, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney
RES.812:10/3/00:ma
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