Dr. Brian E. Yamamoto has been practicing dentistry since 1980. After graduating from University of California Dental School, he served as a general dentist in the U.S. Army initially at Ft. Wainwright and also at NTC Ft. Irwin. In 1985, he entered private practice in Fairbanks where he has practiced to the present day. His philosophy in treating patients has remained the same over these many years. That is, 'to provide quality care at the highest standard to patients of all ages, as well as educating patients in maintaining their oral health'.
One of Dr. Yamamoto 's patients brought a WWII notebook from a Japanese soldier. Dr. Yamamoto had a Japanese war historian help find the family. A ceremony was held and broadcast over Japanese television returning the notebook to the family of the soldier who was KIA on Okinawa. This was written up in the Army publication, 'Stars and Stripes'
Dr. Brian Yamamoto led 120 tour participants to France for the 100th/442nd 75th Anniversary Tour of France. We had one 442nd RCT veteran along on the tour. Lawson Sakai 442nd RCT E Co. was honored and given 'honorary citizenship' in three French towns. He was also awarded a French Military Medal in a fourth town. Lawson earned a bronze star and three purple hearts during his combat with the unit in France and Italy. He has also been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, French Legion of Honor, and Japanese Order of the Rising Sun Medal.
Dr. Yamamoto also led the 70th Anniversary Tour of Italy with 43 participants in 2013 and the 70th Anniversary Tour to France with 65 participants in 2014. Dr Yamamoto's father and two uncles served in the Military Intelligence during WWII and four uncles served with the 100th/442nd/522nd as well.
Dr. Brian Yamamoto is an avid hunter and fisherman. In 2009, he landed the 'unofficial' all tackle world record brown trout on the Rio Grande in Argentina. Using a two handed spey rod and steelhead muddler minnow fly, he caught and released the estimated 41.5 pound sea run brown trout. The fish appeared in 5 fishing magazines including Fish and Fly, Field and Stream, Trout, and Fly Fisherman.