Yukitaka Mizutari came from a family of educators. From an early age, his father, Tasuyuki, taught his son the art of <i>kendo</i> (Japanese fencing). Mizutari excelled in the sport and won major tournaments. Mizutari had just worked his way through business college when he was drafted into the Army in 1941. Prior to entering the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) in 1943, he spent time in the Hawaii National Guard and was also a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
<br><br>On June 23, 1944, Mizutari was killed by a sniper's bullet at Maffin Bay, New Guinea. He was 24 years old and the first Nisei MIS member to be killed in action. With his section under enemy attack, he had "rushed to a more strategic but vulnerable position in order to defend the men serving under him, thereby sacrificing his life." Because of this heroic act, no other member of his section suffered injuries. For his bravery, he received the Silver Star posthumously. Mizutari Hall at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, is named in his honor. 
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