Edward Hiroyuki Uemura, COL USA (Ret)

Edward Hiroyuki (Ed) Uemura, born 1 January 1934 in Hilo, Hawaii died 8 August 2021 at home in Millersville, Maryland. He was the second son of Masaichi and Shizue Uemura.

Ed graduated from Hilo High School, class of 1952. He served in the Hawaii National Guard while working as a wildlife aide with Hawaii Fish and Game. He participated in the Nene Restoration Project when Hawaii was still a U.S. territory, and the nene (later designated the Hawaii state bird) was an endangered species. Ed was an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Hornaday Conservation Award.

Ed subsequently attended the University of Hawaii, was a Distinguished Military Graduate, and received a Regular Army commission in 1958 through the ROTC program. He served with distinction as a Medical Service Corps officer for the next thirty years. His assignments included tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam, and Germany as well as at numerous posts in the U.S. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS and Baylor University, TX where he received an advanced degree in Health Care Administration.

Although he held a variety of responsible staff positions at U.S. Army hospitals and clinics as well as in the Office of the Surgeon General, Ed considered himself a "field soldier." While serving as commander of the 25th Medical Battalion at Schofield Barracks, HI, his unit was selected to test the "max wac" concept of integrating female soldiers into combat units. Ed championed the role of women in the military and was proud of the accomplishment of female soldiers. His other "field" assignments included Ft. Ord, CA (Combat Development Command), 71st Evacuation Hospital, Pleiku, Vietnam, and Commander, 68th Medical Group, Germany. He retired from active military service at Ft. Meade, MD.

Ed is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma Uemura, his sisters Kay Henderson of Columbia, MO, Lei Learmont of Wahiawa, HI, his brother Roy Uemura of Honolulu Hi, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Army Emergency Relief.

To make a donation electronically, please use (https://give.armyemergencyrelief.org/Default.aspx?tsid=16530%20). In the SUPPORT section of the form, a small box will appear. Select: "This is a tribute donation" and instructions follow. Alternatively, a check may be sent to: Army Emergency Relief 2530 Crystal Drive Suite 13161, Arlington, VA 22202