JAVA Scholarships Continue Legacy of WWII Nisei Soldiers

WASHINGTON — The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) announces its annual scholarship award program for 2016.

The scholarships will continue to benefit a range of graduating high school seniors, advanced undergraduate students, and postgraduate and professional education students. Application instructions, forms and other details are posted on the JAVA website, https://java.wildapricot.org.

A memorial scholarship is named for the late Sen. Daniel Inouye.

The scholarships include the memorial scholarship honoring the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service; the Founders Scholarship, named for JAVA’s founder, the late Col. Phil Ishio, USAR, his wife Constance and his son Douglas; as well as other JAVA memorial scholarships, each in the amount of $1,500.

Descendants of those who served in the 100th Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, as well as descendants of World War II Nisei soldiers from other units, are eligible. Only in the case of the Inouye Scholarship will applications also be accepted from any past or present member of Hawaii’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.

A current member of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2014 is eligible to apply. A child of a current JAVA member may also be eligible to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2014.

Special consideration will be given to eligible applicants who demonstrate their lifelong commitment to public and uniformed service leadership for the nation, e.g., participating in military commissioning programs while in college.

Applicants should first review published rules and forms available on the JAVA website before making further inquiries. The final date for receiving applications is Friday, April 1. The names of the awardees will be announced at the annual JAVA scholarship luncheon in June.