A living testament to American resilience, Minoru “Mino” Ohye—the only known WWII veteran to serve both Japanese Imperial forces and the U.S. Army—turns 100.
Story Highlights
- Minoru Ohye celebrates 100th birthday on January 23, 2026, at Eskaton Wilson Manor in West Sacramento, receiving nearly 600 cards after requesting just 100.
- Unique dual service: Conscripted at age 13 into the Japanese army, survived brutal Soviet POW camp, then served U.S. Army in the Korean War.
- Overcame homelessness to lead West Sacramento VFW post and organize aid for homeless veterans, proving community self-reliance works.
- Reunited with brother in Japan after 60 years through local fundraising, highlighting family values and personal grit.
Extraordinary Life Journey
Minoru Ohye was born in Sacramento in 1926 to Japanese immigrant parents. His father died in a fishing accident in the early 1930s, leading his family to send him and his brother to Japan. At age 13 in 1939, Japanese authorities conscripted Ohye into the Imperial Army youth division as World War II escalated. He endured frontline service until Japan’s 1945 surrender, when Soviet forces captured him. For six years, from 1945 to 1951, Ohye labored in Siberian coal mines under temperatures dropping to 60 degrees below zero. In 1951, he returned to the U.S., reunited with his mother in Northern California, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving near the Korean War demilitarized zone.
From Hardship to Community Leader
After the Korean War, Ohye managed a local restaurant, but business failure led to homelessness. The West Sacramento VFW provided crucial support, transforming his life. By the mid-1990s, he served as VFW post commander, modeling self-reliance and mutual aid without federal overreach. In 2012, Yolo County residents raised funds for Ohye to reunite with brother Hiroshi in Japan after 60 years apart. Today, at Eskaton Wilson Manor, he organizes clothing drives for homeless veterans and manages support systems, rejecting dependency in favor of action.
100th Birthday Triumph
On January 23, 2026, Ohye marked his centennial at Eskaton Wilson Manor with sushi lunch, birthday cake, and friends including fellow veteran John Meugniot. He requested 100 cards for each year of life but received nearly 600, showcasing genuine community bonds. Close friend Alfonso Linares, who knew Ohye over 40 years—from employer when Ohye gardened his property to family-like support—praised his calm demeanor: “I’ve never seen him get angry with anybody.”
Linares shared Ohye’s philosophy: “Find something, whether it’s a church, veteran organizations, volunteer and get to meet people, be sociable and help out. And don’t expect a lot in return.” Meugniot echoed veteran camaraderie: “It’s a community… to get to help out each other through the hard times and the good times.” Ohye eyes age 103, fueling morale as one of WWII’s last voices.
RT @velitesgear | Full Text Article: https://t.co/ljgpjOAaHa | Author: @Militarydotcom Veteran Who Served for Both Japanese and U.S. Forces Turns 100
— Velit.es (@velitesgear) January 30, 2026
Sources:
Veteran Who Served for Both Japanese and U.S. Forces Turns 100 – Military.com
West Sacramento veteran Minoru Ohye turns 100 – CBS Sacramento
