‘My Instincts to Help Kicked in’: Yokota Associate Honored for Heroic Work After Off-Post Accident

Mayumi Hongo was enjoying a day off Feb. 17 when she witnessed the aftermath of a serious vehicle accident off-post.

Hongo, a Charleys associate at the Yokota BX, quickly noticed the car had a “Y” license plate, which indicated that it belonged to a U.S. service member.

Hongo rushed to the aid of the driver, Senior Airman Song, Yong-hwa and three other Airmen, all with the 374th Contracting Squadron. Hongo arrived as they were climbing out of a passenger-side window of a Nissan Cube that had flipped on its side.

According to Lt. Col. Ty Christian, 374th Contacting Squadron’s commander, accidents in a foreign country are a “very traumatizing experience” because of the language barrier and the uncertainty of your rights if you are from another country.

Lt. Col. Ty Christian, commander for 374th Contracting Squadron, Julia Woods, general manager for Yokota and Camp Fuji Exchanges, with Mayumi Hongo (center). Hongo received a Humanitarian Certificate of Appreciation from Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull and a Coin of Excellence from Christian for aiding four Airmen who were involved in a vehicle accident outside Yokota Air Base. (Photo by Thomas E. Sullivan)

“I was very thankful Ms. Hongo was there during the whole situation, especially when I needed to explain the accident to the Japanese police; and due to the language barrier, it was very hard,” Song said. “Ms. Hongo was able to talk to the police on my behalf and translate everything, which led to a smooth investigation.”

Hongo has worked for the Exchange for 17 years, the past four at Charleys. She has embraced the Exchange’s core value of family serving family, which led to her actions to help Airmen she didn’t even know.

“When I saw them trying to climb out the window after the accident, my instincts to help kicked in,” Hongo said. “I was happy to help and that everyone is OK.”

After hearing of Hongo’s heroism, Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull sent her a Humanitarian Certificate of Appreciation to applaud her service.

Christian and Julia Woods, general manager for the Yokota Air Base and Camp Fuji Exchanges, honored Hongo during a Feb. 26 ceremony. Hongo received the humanitarian certificate and a coin of excellence from the 374th Contracting Squadron commander.

Airman Song appreciates Hongo’s assistance.

“She stayed with me until the end of the incident, which took at least three hours of her personal time to help people she didn’t even know,” Song said. “When I get the time, I would like to go and thank her once again.”