Turning 100 is a milestone few achieve, but Minoru “Mino” Ohye’s century-long journey is filled with extraordinary experiences that set him apart. Not only is he one of the remaining World War II veterans, but his service record is also unique, having served in both the Japanese Imperial Army and the U.S. Army.
Born in Sacramento, California in 1926, Ohye’s early life took a dramatic turn when he and his brother moved to Japan following their father’s untimely death. According to CBS Sacramento, Ohye was conscripted into the Japanese Imperial Army’s youth division at just 13, amidst Japan’s conflict with the Soviet Union during World War II.
Post-war circumstances saw Ohye as a prisoner in Siberia, enduring the harshness of a POW camp where he worked in coal mines under freezing conditions. Despite the odds, he survived and returned to the U.S. in 1951, reuniting with family in Northern California. Subsequently, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War along the tense demilitarized zone.
In 2012, the community in Yolo County, California, helped Ohye reunite with his brother Hiroshi in Japan after nearly 60 years apart. “I’ve never seen him get angry with anybody,” shared his long-time friend Alfonso Linares, highlighting Ohye’s agreeable nature.
Celebrating a Century
Ohye’s 100th birthday was celebrated with friends and fellow veterans at Eskaton Wilson Manor in West Sacramento. His simple wish for 100 birthday cards was overwhelmingly surpassed as nearly 600 arrived at the senior center. Without family nearby, Ohye relies on friends like Linares, who has known him for over four decades. “Several years ago, I asked him, ‘What’s your goal, Mino?’ And he said, he wants to be 103,” Linares recounted, chuckling.
Sharing sushi and stories, Ohye enjoyed his special day with his veteran community, including John Meugniot, who expressed the camaraderie they share: “I still enjoy being able to bond with the veterans. It’s a community, that’s it.”
Ohye and Linares’s friendship grew over years, from working as a gardener to spending time at the West Sacramento VFW post, forming a bond akin to family. “Everybody loves Mino, you know,” Linares reiterated.
Unique Military Journey
Ohye’s service in both the Japanese and U.S. armies during two significant wars is a rare narrative. His post-military life had its challenges, including a period of homelessness after losing a restaurant he managed. However, joining the VFW in West Sacramento provided support, helping him find stable housing and eventually serving as the post commander in the mid-1990s.
Linares shares some of the life lessons learned from Ohye: “Find something, whether it’s a church, veteran organizations, you know, volunteer and get to meet people, be sociable and help out. And don’t expect a lot in return.”
Even at 100, Ohye remains active in helping veterans, organizing clothing drives for the unhoused and participating in veteran support initiatives.
