Robert Nakamoto

Scholarship

a JAVA Memorial Scholarship for High School Seniors

JAVA is profiling the sacrifices and contributions made by the men and women that our JAVA Memorial Scholarship program honors. Today's issue highlights the Robert Nakamoto Scholarship in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Bob Nakamoto. The Nakamoto Scholarship is sponsored by his children. It is one of the $1,500 JAVA Memorial Scholarships that will be awarded to a high school senior who will be entering either a two or four-year college or university in the fall. Application information can be found at the end of the article as well as on the JAVA website. 

Robert Nakamoto, past JAVA President, and Korean War Veteran. Photo: Nakamoto Family.


Robert Nakamoto was born November 2, 1931, in Sacramento, California to George Nakamoto and Virginia Hirakawa Nakamoto and was the oldest of eight siblings. He and his family were interned at Camp Topaz in Utah during World War II. Known as Bob, he graduated from Placer High School in Auburn, California, where he was inducted into the Placer High School Hall of Fame.  Following graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Three of his younger brothersVic, George, and Donaldfollowed Bob's lead and served in the U.S. military. Bob went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Sacramento. 

After completing college, Bob moved east to take positions in personnel management and information technology at different federal and state government levels as well as the private sector. In time, he founded and was Chairman of Base Technologies Inc., an information technology company, headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Bob also had served as Director of Corporate Systems, MCI; Deputy Commissioner for Planning for the state of Texas; Director of Planning for Medicare and Medicaid Programs for the Federal Government; and Manager of Data Processing for the State of California and Sacramento County. He served on Presidential Task Force for both parties.

Bob Nakamoto was deeply involved in veterans and community activities nationwide supporting them with his time, executive expertise, and contributions. An exemplary President of JAVA, Bob received the Terry Shima Leadership Award for his visionary governance. After his presidency, Bob served as the Chair of JAVA’s Finance Committee and was involved with JAVA’s Speakers Bureau to publicize the Japanese American experience during WW II. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Japanese American Citizens League. Bob received various awards, including the Government of Japan Foreign Minister’s Award in recognition of his efforts to enhance Japan-US relations.

Robert Nakamoto is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

[Ed Note: Robert Nakamoto participated in the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. His interview can be accessed here: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.71666/.]


Robert Nakamoto with President George W. Bush. Photo: Nakamoto Family.

Robert Nakamoto with President Barack Obama. Photo: Nakamoto Family. 


JAVA Scholarship Eligibility and Applications

Eligibility:

  • Descendants of those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion or descendants of Japanese American soldiers who served during World War II other United States military units, including the Women’s Army Corps or Army Nurses Corps are eligible and encouraged to apply. 
  • Current members of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2022, are eligible and encouraged to apply. Children of current JAVA members are also eligible and encouraged to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2022. 
  • Past or present members of the Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, ROTC, or U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship. Applicants should demonstrate their lifelong commitment to uniformed service and public leadership for the nation.

 

Applications:

  • Applicants should first review published rules and forms.
  • Applications and supporting documents must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2024, to javascholarship222@gmail.com. Applications not received by that date or that fail to meet the submission requirements will NOT be considered. Applicants will be notified of a decision by early June 2024.
  • Awards will be presented at a JAVA scholarship awards ceremony in July 2024. 


    2024 JAVA Memorial Scholarship Program Overview here.

    2024 U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Memorial Scholarship here.

    2024 Ishio Founder's Scholarship here.

    2024 Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship here.

    2024 JAVA Memorial Scholarships here.


    Questions or Suggestions: Please contact Antoinette Phelps, at javapotomac@gmail.com.

    Japanese American Veterans Association:  Address: P.O. Box 341198, Bethesda, MD 20827 I https://java-us.org