AGB99: Ambassador Harry Harris visits the U.S.-Korean War Memorial at Paju City, South Korea

During his visit to Imjingak, near the DMZ, in late May 2020, AGB99 Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris (left) visited the U.S.-Korean War Memorial at Paju City, South Korea. On the right is the Mayor of Paju City. The Memorial, erected by the Japanese American Korean War Veterans on May 24, 1997, lists the names of 247 Japanese Americans who were killed in the Korean War, 1950 – 1953. Photo: Ambassador Harris.

Nine Japanese Nationals were serving on the USS Maine when it was destroyed. Two survived, seven perished.

JAVA Research Team (JRT)

At 9:40 PM on February 15, 1898, five tons of powder charges exploded in the forward section of the battleship USS Maine as she lay at anchor in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. The explosion obliterated that part of the ship where the enlisted crew had their quarters and were retiring for the night. Of the 355-member crew (26 officers, 290 enlisted seamen and 39 Marines), 261 men died or were declared missing and presumed dead. Ninety-four men survived and, of this number, 16 were not injured. Though largely American, the crew also included citizens of Canada, Great Britain, Russia, Japan, China, and the Philippines.
Figure 1. Inscription on tombstone: “Kashitara Suzuki, Mess Attendant. USS Battleship “Maine.” Killed in Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898.” City Cemetery, Key West. Photo by Russell Brittain.
Figure 2. The inscription reads: “One Unknown. USS Battleship Maine . Killed in Havana Harbor. February 15, 1898.” Photo by Russell Brittain.

Key West residents honored the USS Maine casualties by erecting a statue in the Maine section of City Cemetery of an American sailor dressed in Spanish American War period uniform, (Figure 3). The well-groomed cemetery is a testimony to the dignity and respect accorded to deceased seaman, U.S. and foreign, irrespective of race, nationality and rank, and whether the burial occurred one year ago or over a hundred years ago.

Figure 3. USS Maine Cemetery, Key West, FL. Photo from Russell Brittain.

The seven Japanese seamen who lost their lives on the USS Maine are also honored at various other locations. Their names are inscribed at the base of the USS Maine Mast Memorial (Figure 4) and the six missing are also listed at the Tomb of the Unknown, both located at Arlington National Cemetery.

Figure 4. USS Maine Mast Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery, VA.