Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Kendall “Wooch” Jordan Fielder. Kendall served from 1917 to 1953 during World War I and World War II.
Kendall was a machine gun platoon leader with the 7th Infantry Division in France during World War I. After the war, he served as an adjutant in the military district of Washington D.C. In 1927, Kendall was assigned to the Philippines with the 57th Infantry as the company commander. In 1938, he assigned in Hawaii with the 22nd Brigade. While there, he trained in the Hawaii National Guard and was selected to be the assistant chief of staff for Army intelligence, G-2.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Kendall was an advocate against the internment of ethnic Japanese in Hawaii. One of his biggest accomplishments was assisting in the formation of a Japanese-American combat battalion called the 100th Battalion, which later became the first active battalion of the 442nd Regiment.
After his service, he was involved with the Red Cross and with the formation of the Japanese-American Society. He was also the technical advisor for the Oscar-winning film From Here to Eternity. Kendall passed away on April 13, 1981 at the age of 87.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
Graphic By Lilian Vo: Lilian Vo is an undergraduate senior at George Mason University studying Global Affairs and Intelligence Analysis.
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It is a disservice to to the memory or Gen Fielder, as well as all awardees of the Distinguished Service Cross, to place the DSC on the collage associated with this Veteran of the Day profile. Gen Fielder was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. There’s a world of difference between the two. The DSC is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force, while the Army DSM is awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility.