A member of the highly decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, WWII veteran Ken Yamaki, has passed away at age 83. He died on Sunday of renal failure at Keiro Nursing Home.

As a heavy artillery and machine gunner staff sergeant with H Company, he was initially sent to Italy to help rescue the famed Lost Battalion of Texans but instead was redeployed to the Po Valley and Apennines in Italy where he fought German forces along the Gothic Line and later in Bruyeres, France. He was decorated with the Distinguished Unit Badge, Theatre Ribbon Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Ken was born in Roy, Utah where he grew up on a farm. His college years at the University of Utah were interrupted by the war. After his military service, he moved to California where he worked for many years as a neon sign maker and later as an independent insurance agent. He remained active in both the 442nd Veterans Organization and the Westside Optimist Club. In his retirement, Ken was an avid golfer and loving grandfather to Ayleen and Cody Yamaki, Rachel and Rylie Fong.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Martha and their four children; Clifford (Reiko)and Michael(Tritia)Yamaki, RoseMary (Rickey)Fong, and June Yamaki. Also surviving is a brother, Joe (Emi) Yamaki, another 442 veteran and a sister, Kim Tateoka. He was predeceased by sisters Gwen and Mary.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 14 at 11:00 AM at Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles under the direction of Fukui Mortuary.