According to an article in the Seattle Times from March, 2006, the William Kenzo Nakamura Federal Courthouse has some serious problems, including outdated mechanical, electrical and communication systems, seismic flaws and a layout that does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act —the current renovation preserves the architectural details while transforming the courthouse into a more safe and modern space. After the renovation it will house the Seattle office of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“The $44 million in improvements restores the courtrooms and other interior spaces, and adds secure parking and mail-handling areas. Public entrances will be repaired and access for people with disabilities will be improved, and building systems will be updated.

The building was renamed in 2001 to honor William Kenzo Nakamura,

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Nakamura died on an Italian battlefield on July 4, 1944, when he alone approached intense German machinegun fire, drawing it away from the rest of his platoon.

Nakamura grew up in the International District, graduated from Garfield High School, attended the University of Washington, and during the summers worked in a salmon cannery at Union Bay, Alaska. His studies were interrupted when he and his family were forced to move to the Minidoka Relocation Center (Internment camp) in 1942.

He enlisted in the army and became a member of what would become one of the most highly decorated regiments in U.S. history, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 34th “Red Bull” Division, U.S. 5th Army. He was the first Army volunteer from Minidoka Relocation Center to be killed in action.

On July 4, 1944, Nakamura’s platoon was caught in intense machine gun fire from a German machine gun unit. Nakamura crawled by himself toward the fire, throwing hand grenades. His action halted the fire long enough for his platoon to escape. Nakamura himself escaped injury, only to die later the same day, when again he approached machine-gun fire in order to draw it away from his comrades.

After the war, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the country’s second highest military award. His commander had recommended him for a Medal of Honor.

President Clinton’s presented the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2000 as one of 22 war heroes who had received Distinguished Service Crosses, but had been recommended the higher honor.

On August 21, 2008, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution urging Congress to name a planned new federal courthouse in Seattle after Nakamura.

On September 19, 2000, the King County Council passed a similar resolution. Congress responded in November 2000 by renaming the existing courthouse (at Madison Street and 5th Avenue) in his honor. The new courthouse, opened in August 2004 at 7th Avenue and Stewart Street, was named simply the United States District Courthouse.

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