Honoring a local hero
American Legion bestows award to Nyssa veteran
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Sunday, June 1, 2008 3:13 AM PDT
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| Nickie Shira (left) is all smiles as her grandfather Archie Atagi receives a special award from Nyssa American Legion Post No. 79 Commander Reid Holcomb (second from right), as Louis Castro and Dave Witty (out of photo), members of Post No. 79 look on. Atagi, a World War II veteran and a member of Post No. 442, is the senior member of the organization. |
NYSSA - As the ranks of World War II veterans decline, it is more urgent they are honored for their service, and that is what the Nyssa American Legion Post No. 79 did Friday for Archie Atagi, a retired Nyssa-Adrian area farmer who served in one of the war’s most decorated units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT).
Atagi, 93, is also the senior member of American Legion Post No. 79 which presented him with a special plaque honoring him for his service and an enlarged copy of his World War II unit’s photograph at the Friday ceremony.
In Atagi’s honor, the American Legion presented the Nyssa Gardens, where Atagi is a resident, a new U.S. flag to fly.
Atagi was born in 1915, in Blackfoot, the son of Kijoze and Soyo Atagi, according to information provided by the family.
“Dad came (to the United States) in 1900,” Danji Atagi, Archie’s brother said.
Archie Atagi moved with his family to the western Treasure Valley in 1925 and he went through the Ontario school system.
“He ran track,” Danji Atagi said of his brother.
Danji and Archie Atagi both farmed before the war and before Pearl Harbor, Danji enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps, but was rejected after the attack and eventually joined the 442nd.
Archie Atagi enlisted in 1942, his brother said, but since the family already lived in the interior neither were among those who came out of internment camps.
Archie Atagi joined the 442nd RCT as a replacement just before the unit was deployed to southern France. Danji Atagi was in the 442nd RCT but served in a medical unit.
“We never saw each other,” Danji Atagi, said.
The 442nd RCT eventually fought its way through France toward Germany. In a bitter campaign in the Vosges Mountains, the unit was involved in a number of crucial, nameless battles. At one point, Archie Atagi’s unit was sent to capture the town of Bruyeres. During that battle, Archie Atagi lost his hearing in his right ear because of the explosions from artillery shells.
In another key action, the 442nd was detailed to help relieve another American unit that was cut off and surrounded. The fight to save the “lost battalion” cost the 442nd 800 casualties.
Later, Archie Atagi had his helmet shot off by a sniper after holding a position overnight with a fellow soldier.
“He got shot twice,” his brother said. While marching through the town of Carrara, Italy, Archie Atagi was hit with shrapnel from a mortar. He was sent back to a hospital in Walla Walla, Wash., for a long recovery. For his service, Archie Atagi received the European, African and Middle East Service medal; the Purple Heart with Oakleaf Cluster (for wounds received in action), the Bronze Star, a Marksman 83 Rifle Medal, a Combat Infantryman’s Badge, a World War II medal, a Good Conduct medal and a Distinguished Unit Citation with Oakleaf Cluster. Both Atagis returned to the farming after the war. Attending the ceremony, besides his brother, were a sister, Mary Atagi children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus friends, residents and staff of the Nyssa Gardens.
