Every June, members of VFW Post 3292 visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu to pay respect and honor their Post’s namesake: Francis Wai.
The memorial, established by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), honors the sacrifices and achievements of the American armed forces in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean War. Offered by the Governor of Hawaii in 1943, the cemetery sits atop the Punchbowl Crater and was officially opened to the public on July 19, 1949.
From left, VFW Post 3292 members Charles Tibbetts, Dave Bertain, Carlos Tibbetts, Jason Nguyen, Harl Marzan, Randy Grant, Benjamin Harrison and Simon Swengler pay homage to Francis Wai on June 6 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.Capt. Francis Wai is among those memorialized. Born in Hawaii to a Chinese immigrant father and a Native Hawaiian mother, Wai enlisted in the Hawaii National Guard and was called into active duty before the U.S. entered WWII.
Wai completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, on Sept. 27, 1941 — a rarity at a time when few Asian Americans were allowed to serve in combat leadership roles. He was later assigned as an intelligence officer with Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, with the rank of captain.
The 24th Division, based at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, Hawaii, was among the first American units involved in the Pacific Theater, exchanging fire with Japanese aircraft during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
Wai was killed in action during the invasion of Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 1944. For his extraordinary heroism and selflessness, Wai received a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross in 1944.
In 1996, many Asian American veterans had their military records reviewed as allegations of prejudice were leveled against them during World War II. The review concluded that 22 Asian Americans, including Captain Wai, did not receive full consideration for the Medal of Honor. In 2000, Wai’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor by the Army.
Of those whose military decorations for valor were upgraded, Wai’s was one of only two not awarded to members of the predominantly Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team.
On June 6, our Post honored Capt. Wai at his resting place at “The Punchbowl.” We cleaned his grave, read his citation and rendered due honors, respect, courtesy and prayer. We honor those who served before and continue to support and pray for those who still serve.
Edited for style, this story submitted by VFW Post 3292 Commander Charles Tibbetts
This article is featured in the 2026 June issue of Checkpoint. If you're a VFW member and don't currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.