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Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR

Japanese American lawyer and a former officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves

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Categories Categories:
Asian & Pacific Heritage, Civil Rights, Diversity & Inclusion, Inspirational, Military, Social Activism
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Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR Biography

When Bruce Yamashita arrived at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, one of the first things he heard was a staff sergeant yelling, "You speak English? We don't want your kind around here. Go back to your own country." Another sergeant ridiculed him, saying, "We have no tea and sushi here, Yamashita." Another spoke to him only in broken Japanese.

The racial and ethnic harassment continued for all nine weeks of the program until, two days before graduation, Yamashita, along with three other minority candidates, were kicked out of Officer Candidate School.

Yamashita spoke up and fought to right the wrongs he had suffered to make sure others like him wouldn't suffer in the future. His story is brought to life in the critically acclaimed documentary, A Most Unlikely Hero.

It took years, but Yamashita finally uncovered the secret that brought him justice, a secret that proved he wasn't alone. A secret the Marine Corps didn't even realize it was keeping. He uncovered data that proved a pervasive, consistent pattern of discrimination against minorities at Officer Candidate School for years and years. It was evidence so persuasive that Congress and the White House couldn't ignore it.

And when his findings became key to a 60 Minutes investigation, the Commandant of the Marine Corps fueled the fire with his comments that, "minorities don't shoot as well as non-minorities...they don't swim as well, and when you give them a compass and send them on a land navigation exercise, they don't do as well at that sort of thing either.”

Weeks later, Yamashita became Captain Yamashita, and his case became the catalyst for statutory and procedural reform to prohibit racial and ethnic discrimination in the Marine Corps and in all the branches of the military service.

It was, as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy observed, "a vindication not only of Capt. Yamashita, but a vindication of the process of a democracy." And it was, as Sen. Daniel Akaka noted, "a victory for civil rights in this nation."

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A Most Unlikely Hero

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 12/16/2024.

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR 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, USMCR Videos

  • PBS Hawaii Documentary A Most Unlikely Hero
    PBS Hawaii Documentary "A Most Unlikely Hero"
  • 2014 NAPABA Trailblazer Award
    2014 NAPABA Trailblazer Award
See All Videos »

Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR Books

  • 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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    Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Asian & Pacific Heritage, Civil Rights, Diversity & Inclusion, Inspirational, Military, Social Activism.

  • Where does Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR travel from?

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Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR 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, USMCR for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cynthia Choi, Tiffany Yu, Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown, Jonny Kim and Chella Man. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Captain Bruce I. Yamashita, USMCR for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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