Fighting Tradition: A Marine’s Journey to Justive is Yamashita’s own story of his courageous struggle to expose a pattern of racial discrimination against minorities that has existed at various levels of the Corps.
With the support of a broad coalition of community and civil rights organizations, the Hawaii-born law school graduate fought a five-year long legal, political and media battle against the military establishment, that ended in his commission as a captain, and the revision of Marine Corps policies and procedures forever. Learn more…

About Bruce Yamashita
Bruce I. Yamashita is a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves. In May of 2009, he was honorably discharged from the corps. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii, master’s in international affairs from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He currently lives in Washington D.C., where he practices immigration and nationality law and criminal defense.

A Most Unlikely Hero
A PBS Hawaii Documentary
Bruce Yamashita just wanted to serve his country; because of his race and ethnicity, the U.S. Marine Corps denied him the chance. Instead of giving in to discrimination, he took a stand for fairness and justice, uncovering evidence that rocked the Corps. A Most Unlikely Hero, a one hour documentary, tells Bruce’s story, a model of courage and commitment in contemporary America. Learn more…
Acceptance speech for the 2014 Daniel K. Inouye NAPABA Trailblazer Award
Bruce is available for speaking engagements or film screenings. Please contact him to learn more or schedule an event.
Previous events at which Bruce has spoken:
- Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
- Kitsap Naval Base, Bremerton WA
- Bill Gates Millennium Leadership Conference, Chantilly, VA
- United Methodist Church, Seattle WA
- DaimlerChrysler, Pontiac MI
- University Laboratory High School, Honolulu HI
- UCLA, Los Angeles CA
There’s a full list of events (including photos) at which Bruce has spoken on the Awards & Events page. See the full list…
This website is dedicated to the hundreds if not thousands of good Americans who joined the struggle for justice.
I did not do this alone. They are the true heroes.
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.
— Bruce Yamashita