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Harry M. Akune
P.O. Box 2245
Gardena, CA 90247
Dear Harry:
It is with true pleasure that I can
finally send you your long overdue certificate as a Parachutist for which you qualified
for participating in our airborne assault on the island fortress of Corregidor. I am also enclosing a paratrooper badge
containing a combat star which you earned as a member of my own 5036 Parachute Regimental
Combat Team,
Through the efforts of Captain Tom
Hara, now stationed at Fort Belvoir, and the assistance to me of Lt, Col. (Ret.) Jack
Herzig, a former platoon sergeant in my 503d, your certificate was recently signed by the
Commandant and Assistant Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School and, in an
unusual aspect, is dated effective 16 February 1945
The members of the 503d came from
varied backgrounds, from factories and schools, some born in Europe, some Native
Americans, some whose ancestors could be traced to the signers of the Constitution, some
draftees, some regular army soldiers, some from main street and some few from places like
Amache Relocation Camp. What they all shared was an extraordinary degree of courage. You
joined our ranks because you have that rare amount of courage and have been one of us
since then.
Please take the opportunity to
display the wings which should have been awarded to you over 41 years ago.
I am proud to have been the
commander of men like you.
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