UCLA’s Francis Wai was an American hero

Many UCLA football fans will not be familiar with the name Francis Wai … but they should.

Several great football players have come through Westwood. There has been one Medal of Honor winner.

Wai, who will be inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame this year, played for the Bruins in 1937 and 1938. He started the last two games of the 1938 season, helping UCLA to victories in Hawaii against the Honolulu town team and the University of Hawaii.

It was in Hawaii, in 1941, that his life, and the world, changed. He was a soldier in the Schofield barracks when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Wai spent the war in the Pacific, as part of the 24^th Infantry Division. He rose to the rank of captain and received eight awards and decorations.

During the invasion to liberate the Philippines, Wai came ashore in the fifth wave and assumed command of a group of men. He advanced without cover to draw Japanese fire, exposing their positions. Wai was killed leading the assault on the last Japanese pillbox.

Wai was award the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. After a review of military records in 1996, following allegations prejudicial treatment of Asian Americans, Wai was award the Medal of Honor.

Others who will be inducted: Guy Baker (water polo), James Butts (men’s track and field), Joanna Hayes (women’s track and field), Joe-Max Moore (men’s soccer), Natasha Watley (softball), and Onnie Willis (women’s gymnastics).