Yoshihiro Aka

This week’s Veterans Spotlight shines on Yoshihiro Aka

Raymond Yoshihiro Aka served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1947 during World War II, having been drafted in 1939. Throughout his military service, he worked as a language specialist at various locations, including Camp Roberts in California, Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Camp Savage in Minnesota, and in Japan. Aka was a member of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), a unit critical for intelligence work during the war.

While specific awards or honors for Aka are not publicly documented, the MIS, to which he belonged, was collectively awarded the Presidential Unit Citation—America's highest honor for a military unit—over 50 years after the war, acknowledging their significant contributions.

Post-war, Aka continued his service in a civilian role, contributing to Japan's reconstruction by helping draft the Japanese Constitution, implement election reforms, and establish a police reserve. His linguistic skills and work with the Japanese Defense Agency at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo were highly valued, earning him the Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Rays, from the Japanese emperor for his efforts in fostering U.S.-Japan relations.

Raymond Yoshihiro Aka passed away in January 2006 at age 90 in Walnut Creek, California, and was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl.

Thank you for your service!