This Memorial Day, we remember the Americans who gave their lives defending our country — and we honor the extraordinary courage of just some of the heroes from right here in Washington state.
Seattle native William Kenzo Nakamura fought in World War II with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Facing heavy enemy fire in Italy, Nakamura repeatedly exposed himself to danger to protect his fellow soldiers before ultimately giving his life in battle. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.
During the Vietnam War, Seattle’s Robert Ronald Leisy served as an Army officer after graduating from the University of Washington. In the middle of an intense firefight in 1969, Leisy used his own body to shield a fellow soldier from an incoming rocket-propelled grenade. He died from his wounds and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.
Marine Pfc. Cody S. Calavan, of Lake Stevens, Washington, served in the U.S. Marine Corps with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. In 2004, during combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, he was killed in action while serving as a machine gunner in hostile conditions during the early years of the Iraq War. He was 19 years old and is remembered as a young Washington native who stepped forward to serve his country after 9/11.
These men came from different generations, but they shared the same willingness to put service above self and sacrifice everything for the nation they loved.
Today, we remember William Kenzo Nakamura, Robert Ronald Leisy, Cody S. Calavan, and every American hero who never made it home.
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Happy Memorial Day from Shift WA.
