Captain Bruce I. Yamashita

Civil Rights Attorney & Former Marine Corps Captain; Author of "Fighting Tradition"; Documentary Subject

Washington, DC, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Anti-Racism, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Inspirational, Military, Social Activism, Storytelling, Veterans
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Captain Bruce I. Yamashita Biography

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR, is a Japanese American attorney known for his legal advocacy and civil rights work, particularly regarding institutional discrimination in the United States Marine Corps. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree from University of Hawaii, a master's in international affairs from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a law degree from Georgetown University. He has also served as a delegate to the Hawaii Constitutional Convention. A third-generation Japanese American, Yamashita entered Officer Candidate School with the goal of becoming a Marine Corps officer, marking the first time in his family's three generations that an American military officer would emerge.

During his time at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, Yamashita experienced racial and ethnic harassment from staff, including derogatory remarks and exclusionary behavior. The harassment persisted throughout the nine-week program, culminating in his dismissal from Officer Candidate School along with three other minority candidates just days before graduation. Yamashita challenged this decision, but the Marine Corps initially denied his claims. Supported by a coalition of community and civil rights organizations, Yamashita pursued a five-year legal, political, and media campaign. Multiple Inspector General investigations ultimately confirmed a pattern of discrimination against minorities at Officer Candidate School.

Yamashita was later commissioned as a captain in the Marine Corps in the House Armed Services Committee Room on Capitol Hill. His case prompted statutory and procedural reforms to prohibit racial and ethnic discrimination in the Marine Corps and across all branches of military service. Senator Daniel Akaka described the outcome as a significant civil rights victory. Yamashita was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps Reserves and resides in Washington, D.C., where he practices immigration and nationality law, as well as criminal defense. He has represented thousands of immigrants and criminal defendants, including those facing removal and serious felony charges.

Yamashita's legal battle against discrimination at Officer Candidate School became the subject of the documentary "A Most Unlikely Hero" and the autobiography "Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice." His story is used as a resource at the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute. Yamashita has received recognition including the Georgetown University Asian Pacific American Law Students Association's Alumnus of the Year Award, the Japanese American Citizens League's Civil Rights Award, and the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Convention. He was also named one of the "Ten Who Made A Difference" by Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Yamashita has spoken at forums such as the Japanese American National Museum, Organization of Chinese Americans, New York University, Princeton University, UCLA, Georgetown University Law Center, Smithsonian Institution, Bill Gates Millennium Leadership Conference, Defense Intelligence Agency, and NASA-Lewis Research Center. The Department of the Navy has invited him to speak to marines at Kitsap Naval Base on diversity and equal opportunity. Yamashita's experiences continue to serve as a case study in civil rights, military law, and diversity advocacy.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/07/2026.

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita Speaking Topics

  • Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice

    An inspirational David versus Goliath story. It reminds all of us that one person, with the support of a community, can overcome insurmountable odds and make a positive difference. It is often said that Asian Americans have benefited from the civil rights battles and victories by African Americans and Latino Americans. It is significant that this civil rights struggle was started, fought and won by the Asian American community, resulting in revisions to Marine Corps policy that will benefit all marines.

    It is hoped that the lessons learned and sacrifices made will not be forgotten, and will inspire the next generation to continue the hard work to create a more perfect union.

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita Videos

PBS Hawaii Documentary "A Most Unlikely Hero"

PBS Hawaii Documentary "A Most Unlikely Hero"

2014 NAPABA Trailblazer Award

2014 NAPABA Trailblazer Award

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Fighting Tradition A Marine's Journey to Justice
Fighting Tradition A Marine's Journey to Justice
Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice (Intersections Asian and Pacific American Transcultural Studies)
Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice (Intersections Asian and Pacific American Transcultural Studies)

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    Speaking fees for Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Captain Bruce I. Yamashita are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Captain Bruce I. Yamashita speak about?

    Captain Bruce I. Yamashita is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Inspirational, Military, Social Activism, Storytelling, Veterans

  • Where does Captain Bruce I. Yamashita travel from?

    Captain Bruce I. Yamashita generally travels from Washington, DC, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Captain Bruce I. Yamashita is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Fighting Tradition: A Marine's Journey to Justice. The estimated speaking fee range to book Captain Bruce I. Yamashita for your event is available upon request. Captain Bruce I. Yamashita generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Redmond Ramos, Justice Shannon Frison, Heather Penney, Nova Peris and Cynthia Choi. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Captain Bruce I. Yamashita for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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