Former U.S. Cadet Nurse Aiko "Grace" Obata Amemiya will speak about her experiences serving in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. Born and raised in Northern California, Grace was student at the University of California School of Nursing when the U.S. declared war on Japan. Like over 110,000 other Japanese Americans, Grace and her family were forcibly removed from their home and incarcerated at the Turlock Assembly Center and later at the Gila River Relocation Center. She continued to work as a nurse's aide at both Turlock and Gila River.

In February 1943, Grace was able to leave camp and continue her nursing studies at St. Mary's University in Rochester, Minnesota. She was then able to enlist in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps and served proudly for six months at Shick General Army Hospital in Clinton, Iowa. Ms. Amemiya will speak about her service in this very special program.

Free with Museum admission. Reservations recommended to rsvp@janm.org or213.625.0414 at least 48 hours prior. www.janm.org

Learn about Nisei Cadet Nurses in Nisei Cadet Nurse: Patriotism in Spite of Prejudice which tells the story of 19 Japanese American women. Purchase Nisei Cadet Nurse from the Museum Store >>

In conjunction with the exhibition American Heroes: Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal