Dodgers to Honor World War II Internee Who Became Soldier

A World War II-era internee who became an Army staff sergeant will be honored as the Military Hero of the Game at Monday's Los Angeles Dodgers-Arizona Diamondbacks game at Dodger Stadium.

Jack Kunitomi of Los Angeles was drafted by the Army in 1944 after being in internment camps for Japanese-Americans and entered the intensive language training of the classified Millitary Intellgience Service. Kunitomi served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur as a translator in the Philippines and Tokyo.

Following the war, Kunitomi received bachelor's and master's degrees from USC and taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for more than 35 years.

Former Dodger first baseman Ron Fairly will be recognized for his efforts in support of servicemen and women. Fairly is a finalist for the 2016 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, named for the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the first Major League Baseball player to enlist in the armed forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Fairly is a board member of Rebuilding America's Warriors, which makes it possible for servicemen and women who have been injured while on duty to receive reconstructive surgery at no cost to them.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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