The second atomic bomb, which exploded in Nagasaki, Japan during the end of World War II, changed her life forever. At the age of eight, her mother was dead and soon after, her father passed away because of radiation sickness. Even with all this hardship, and living with her financially stricken relatives, Mitoko Yamachi was able to find joy in school and the Sailors of the destroyer USS Walke. They played softball with her, showed her the ship, and eventually established a $4,000 trust fund to enable her to finish high school.
Walke left Sasebo, Japan, in 1951 and the ties were not maintained because the ship's location was classified. However, in 1993, after forty-two years, Mitoko was able to reunite with the Sailors who helped her so many years before.
Recently, Mitoko's legacy of friendship with the U.S. Navy continued on USS Independence with a Distinguished Visitor tour on July 28, 1997, where she was the honored guest. Greeted by Capt. Tom S. Fellin, Commanding Officer, she was shown around various parts of the ship, such as the bridge, air operations, the flight deck, and also met many members of the crew.
"It was wonderful to have her on board because her experiences are an inspiration to anyone who's gone through a tragedy," said Fellin. "We enjoy having distinguished guests like Mrs. Yamachi because we better appreciate the importance of our friendship with the people of Japan."
Building on the education she received in high school, Mitoko went on to become a nurse with the Nisseki Red Cross Hospital. She also has two children and two grandchildren and is married to Kazusumi Yamachi. Currently the chief nurse at the clinic in Tokyo's Imperial Hotel, Mitoko is now caring for others and passing on the compassion shown to her by the U. S. Navy.