December 16, 2014

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan — Takejiro Higa, a U.S. Army Technician Fourth Grade for the military intelligence service language team with 96th Division, returned to the sight of the Battle for Okinawa where he saved local civilians. Higa use his knowledge of the Okinawan dialect to convince the civilians that they were no harm and they could surrender peacefully.

Higa was invited by the Okinawa Prefectural Government to attend a symposium at the Peace Memorial Museum in Itoman. It was while he was there that he had a chance to visit the very cave where this heroic event happened 69 years ago.

“The day of the invasion, I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for invading my ancestors’ homeland as an American in the armed forces,” said Higa. “My main mission was translating captured documents and interrogating prisoners.”

Higa served his country proudly while also keeping his Okinawan ancestors safe. Higa wanted the relationship between Japan and America to heal overtime, and his heroic efforts in this battle showing the enemy mercy personified this very point.

“Even though I was here from the very beginning (of the battle), I never shot out of my rifle, I didn’t kill or wound anybody,” said Higa. “I did my job as an American citizen soldier at the same time. I was able to help non-combatant Okinawa citizens with whom I grew up with for 14 years, and I feel proud to have helped save the lives of both Americans and Okinawa citizens.”

III MEF/MCIPAC Consolidated Public Affairs Office Lance Cpl. Brittany James

Public Affairs Office USMC Okinawa MCB Camp Smedley D. Butler Unit 35002 FPO, AP 96373-5002

Phone: (098) 970-0790 FAX: 645-3803

OkinawaPAO@usmc.mil

Media Advisory

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Public Affairs Office                                                                                                          For more information:

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Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

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MEDIA ADVISORY #13-001 August 16, 2013

SGT. MAJ. MATTHEW BROOKSHIRE, SERGEANT MAJOR, MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE TRAINING COMMAND, MARINE AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, RETIRES

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – After 26 years of faithful service to the United States Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Matthew B. Brookshire will relinquish his post as MAGTFTC, MCAGCC Sergeant Major to Sgt Maj. Karl Villalino at a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at Lance Corporal Torrey L. Gray Field MONDAY.