Basques in WWII Memorial
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Okinawa 2026: Honoring the"Six of Okinawa" and Strengthening the Legacy of the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial
Between June 21 and 24, 2026, the North American Basque Organizations (N.A.B.O.) WWII
Veterans Committee launched and led the Okinawa 2026 Initiative, an international historical memory project honoring six Basque American servicemen—Lawrence Amoriza, Alejandro Itcea, Dominique Laxague, Felix Ordoquihandy, Steven Sahargun, and Joseph Uriola—who
lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa, while furthering the mission of the National
Basque WWII Veterans Memorial in Gardnerville, Nevada.
Pauline Iriarte, niece of Basque American serviceman Alejandro Itcea, speaks with Japanese media at the Cornerstone of Peace, accompanied by Dr. Oiarzabal, representing N.A.B.O.'s National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial ommittee.
One of the defining features of the initiative was the participation of the Itcea family,
represented by Pauline and Philip Iriarte, who traveled from the United States to honor
Pauline's uncle, Basque American serviceman Alejandro Itcea. Their presence added a deeply personal dimension to the commemorative events and reminded all participants that the
legacy of these servicemen continues to live on through their families. Throughout the
initiative, N.A.B.O. was represented by Dr. Pedro J. Oiarzabal, lead historian of the National
Basque WWII Veterans Memorial, who coordinated the institutional, educational, and media components of the program in collaboration with Japanese partner organizations.
Among the most significant moments of the initiative were the official Irei no Hi
commemorations—Okinawa's annual Day of Remembrance, observed each year on June 23
to honor the more than 240,000 people who lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa. The program also included official visits to the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum, a wreath-laying ceremony organized by USO Okinawa and the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa, a public conference comparing the Basque and Okinawan diasporas, highlighting their shared experiences of migration, identity, and cultural
preservation.
One of the initiative's most significant achievements was the inscription of Basque American serviceman Felix Ordoquihandy at the Cornerstone of Peace. Thanks to the historical research conducted by the Sancho de Beurko Association in collaboration with N.A.B.O., and the close cooperation of the Okinawa Prefectural Government, Ordoquihandy's name was added to the memorial 81 years after he was killed during the Battle of Okinawa. His inscription completed the recognition of all six known Basque American servicemen who lost their lives in the battle and ensured that their sacrifice will be remembered permanently at one of the world's most important sites dedicated to remembrance and peace.
By honoring these six servicemen in Okinawa—the place where they made the ultimate sacrifice—N.A.B.O. reaffirmed its commitment to preserving not only their individual stories but also the broader legacy of more than 2,160 Basque and Basque American men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and Merchant Marine during the Second World War.
Beyond its commemorative purpose, the Okinawa 2026 Initiative demonstrated the growing international reach of the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial. Through partnerships
with Japanese government institutions, academic organizations, military organizations, cultural
partners, and the media, the project strengthened its role as a platform for historical memory,
cultural diplomacy, and engagement with the global Basque diaspora. The initiative demonstrated that historical research can serve not only to recover forgotten stories but also
to build meaningful international partnerships rooted in remembrance, education, and peace.
N.A.B.O. extends its sincere appreciation to the families of the six servicemen for their trust and support throughout this initiative. We also thank Professor Hiroyuki Kinjo, the Okinawa Prefectural Government, the Okinawa Peace Memorial Museum, USO Okinawa, the American Chamber of Commerce in Okinawa, the International Center of Language & Culture of Okinawa, the Sancho de Beurko Association, and the many journalists and media professionals whose collaboration helped share these stories with audiences in Japan, the Basque Country, and the United States.
The work of remembrance did not end in Okinawa. Rather, the initiative marked another important step toward the completion of the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial in Gardnerville, where the "Six of Okinawa" will one day stand together alongside more than 2,160 Basque and Basque American men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and Merchant Marine during the Second World War.
The Okinawa 2026 Initiative reflects N.A.B.O.'s ongoing commitment to preserving, honoring, and sharing the remarkable legacy of Basque American service for generations to come. Through the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial, these stories—and the values they represent—will continue to inspire future generations on both sides of the Pacific.
