A luau was the highlight event of the month and was held on May 23 at the USO Center in Area A.
“We looked to tackle the month of special observance with the idea of introducing and enjoying as many of the cultures as we could,” said Master Sgt. Maynard Galvez, 88th Medical Group cardiology services section chief and Asian American/Pacific Islander special observance committee lead. “We used all of the events throughout the month to build on the next one, and I think the luau especially exceeded our expectations.
“It is important to have this special observation not just to celebrate, but also for the Asian-American and Pacific Islanders to take a step back and remember their culture,” said Galvez.
Some of the noted Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders highlighted throughout the month were:
• Private 1st Class Herbert K. Pilila’au who was the first Native Hawaiian awarded the Medal of Honor. He received the award posthumously for valor shown in Sept. 17, 1951, while serving with the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War.
• Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy was the first Asian American woman to join the U.S. Navy. She joined the Navy in 1942 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and became the first female to operate turret-mounted machine guns on an aircraft in the Navy.
• Col. Young-Oak Kim served in two wars. During the Korean War in 1951, he was the first Asian American to lead a combat battalion in a war. He was the only Korean American to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Anzio in World War II. Kim became the first ethnic minority to command a regular combat battalion, the 1st of the 31st Infantry.
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