A Staten Island resident. Fought bravely in World War II and gave his life in service of his country, Lloyd Ikefugi, born and raised on Staten Island, lived at 112 Winter Avenue in New Brighton and graduated from Curtis High School. He worked as a machinist at the Great Eastern Brass Works in Long Island City, worshiped at Brighton Heights Reformed Church, served as assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 10, and, in April 1944, he joined the Army at age 20. Ikefugi became a member of the famous all Japanese-American 442nd Infantry, a company distinct by its very definition. At the time, the United States military maintained a policy of segregation that required minorities, including Japanese-Americans and African-Americans, to fight in special units.
The 442nd Infantry earned recognition in history by demonstrating extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, in defiance of the stereotype that Japanese-Americans could not be loyal to an America at war with Japan. In the spring of 1945, the Allies began breaking through German defenses in Italy, and Ikefugi's outfit proved an important part of that effort. On April 7, 1945, less than a year after he joined the Army, Ikefugi was attacking an enemy strongpoint and was struck down by machinegun fire. He died instantly and posthumously received the Purple Heart.
The 442nd Infantry earned recognition in history by demonstrating extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, in defiance of the stereotype that Japanese-Americans could not be loyal to an America at war with Japan. In the spring of 1945, the Allies began breaking through German defenses in Italy, and Ikefugi's outfit proved an important part of that effort. On April 7, 1945, less than a year after he joined the Army, Ikefugi was attacking an enemy strongpoint and was struck down by machinegun fire. He died instantly and posthumously received the Purple Heart.
A Staten Island resident. Fought bravely in World War II and gave his life in service of his country, Lloyd Ikefugi, born and raised on Staten Island, lived at 112 Winter Avenue in New Brighton and graduated from Curtis High School. He worked as a machinist at the Great Eastern Brass Works in Long Island City, worshiped at Brighton Heights Reformed Church, served as assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 10, and, in April 1944, he joined the Army at age 20. Ikefugi became a member of the famous all Japanese-American 442nd Infantry, a company distinct by its very definition. At the time, the United States military maintained a policy of segregation that required minorities, including Japanese-Americans and African-Americans, to fight in special units.
The 442nd Infantry earned recognition in history by demonstrating extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, in defiance of the stereotype that Japanese-Americans could not be loyal to an America at war with Japan. In the spring of 1945, the Allies began breaking through German defenses in Italy, and Ikefugi's outfit proved an important part of that effort. On April 7, 1945, less than a year after he joined the Army, Ikefugi was attacking an enemy strongpoint and was struck down by machinegun fire. He died instantly and posthumously received the Purple Heart.
The 442nd Infantry earned recognition in history by demonstrating extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, in defiance of the stereotype that Japanese-Americans could not be loyal to an America at war with Japan. In the spring of 1945, the Allies began breaking through German defenses in Italy, and Ikefugi's outfit proved an important part of that effort. On April 7, 1945, less than a year after he joined the Army, Ikefugi was attacking an enemy strongpoint and was struck down by machinegun fire. He died instantly and posthumously received the Purple Heart.
Bio by: ShaneO
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PFC, 442 INF, 34 INF DIV WORLD WAR II
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