Minoru “Mino” Ohye has a very distinctive story not matched by many different veterans.
Not solely did Ohye flip 100 years outdated just lately and is among the final remaining World Warfare II veterans, however he additionally served for each the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.
Ohye was born in Sacramento, California in 1926. Nonetheless, after his father was killed in a fishing accident, Ohye and his brother have been despatched to Japan to reside with their prolonged household, in accordance with CBS Sacramento.
At simply 13 years outdated, Ohye was pressured into navy service, becoming a member of the Japanese Imperial Army’s youth division. On the time, Japan was battling the Soviet Union within the early phases of World Warfare II.
Following Japan’s give up in 1945, Ohye was taken prisoner by the Russians and despatched to a POW camp in Siberia. Temperatures plummeted to 60 levels beneath zero whereas he labored in coal mines below brutal circumstances.
However Ohye survived and emerged from the POW camp to return to the U.S. in 1951. He reunited along with his mom, dwelling in Northern California. He joined the Army and fought within the Korean Warfare, serving close to the demilitarized zone, the contentious border between North and South Korea.
In 2012, residents in Yolo County, California the place Ohye resides, raised funds for the veteran to return to Japan to see his brother Hiroshi after being aside for nearly 60 years.
“I’ve by no means seen him get indignant with anyone,” Linares mentioned. “He’s very straightforward to get together with…everyone loves Mino, you already know.”
Overcoming Arduous Instances
On Thursday, Ohye celebrated hitting the century mark with shut pals and fellow veterans at Eskaton Wilson Manor, a senior dwelling facility in West Sacramento, California.
Heading into his special occasion, Ohye had a easy want: 100 birthday playing cards to honor 100 years of life. However his expectations have been far exceeded when nearly 600 playing cards have been despatched to the senior heart.
Sadly, Ohye not has members of the family dwelling in Northern California, so he depends on pals for help, like Alfonso Linares, who’s recognized the veteran for greater than 40 years.
“A number of years in the past, I requested him, ‘What’s your aim, Mino?’ And he mentioned, he desires to be 103,” Linares mentioned, laughing.
Eating on sushi and birthday cake, Ohye smiled and shared tales with pleasant faces, together with fellow Army veteran John Meugniot.
“I nonetheless get pleasure from having the ability to bond with the veterans. It’s a group, that’s it,” mentioned Meugniot. “You understand, to get to assist out one another by way of the onerous occasions and the nice occasions.”
Ohye labored as Linares’s gardener for years and their bond grew tighter after spending time collectively on the West Sacramento VFW publish. They’re now as shut as household.
“I’ve by no means seen him get indignant with anyone,” Linares mentioned. “He’s very straightforward to get together with…everyone loves Mino, you already know.”
Uncommon Story
The truth that Ohye served in each the Japanese navy in World Warfare II and the U.S. Army in Korea simply a number of years later is an especially uncommon feat.
After his navy service, life wasn’t at all times variety to the Japanese American. He discovered himself battling homelessness following the lack of a restaurant he managed.
Finally, Ohye linked with the VFW in West Sacramento, the place he met new pals and obtained the assistance he wanted to get his life again on monitor. He discovered secure housing and served because the VFW publish commander within the mid-Nineties.
By means of the years, Ohye has taught Linares many life classes, together with the power to steer by instance.
“Discover one thing, whether or not it’s a church, veteran organizations, you already know, volunteer and get to satisfy individuals, be sociable and assist out. And don’t count on quite a bit in return,” Linares mentioned.
Even at this time, at age 100, Ohye continues to be serving to veterans. He organizes drives to gather garments for unhoused veterans and helps handle a veteran help system.
