Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, who died earlier this week at the age of 88, was not a well-known politician in comparison to many of his colleagues in the Senate. But his reputation was unsurpassed among those who worked with him and knew him.
On Thursday he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda. It’s an honor given to only a few dozen in U.S. history. Inouye’s colleagues felt he had earned it.
Inouye served the state of Hawaii as a senator for nearly 50 years. Earlier, as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, he fought alongside fellow Japanese-Americans in World War II.
He lost his right arm to battle but fought on, ripping a grenade from the limp right hand that no longer worked, and launching it with his left hand towards the enemy.








