442nd Infantry Regiment (Japanese-American)

is a regiment that includes U.S. troops of Japanese descent. This unit was created in 1944. although they are allowed to volunteer for war, Americans of Japanese descent are forbidden to fight in the Pacific theater. Americans do not like German or Italian ancestry who fought against the Axis forces on the European front, mainly because of practicality, because more German and Italian Americans compared with Japanese Americans. While so many men are quite adept to speak Japanese or a time ordered, to join the Military Intelligence Services (MIS) to serve as a translator / interpreter and a spy in the Pacific, as well as in front of China, Burma, and India. These people are sent to the MIS Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota to improve their language skills and receive training in military intelligence. While the 442nd infantry regiment trained in Mississippi, reimen to 100 departed Oran in North Africa to join forces to attack Italy.

The story of the heroic 442nd Regiment

In late October 1944, a battalion (141 Infantry Regiment) of the Texas 36th Division (which was then known racist) surrounded by German soldiers assisted by the Panzer divisions. The fighting has been going on heavily wooded Vosges mountains, located in northern France near the German border. Japanese-American infantry regiment of the 442nd Combat Team (about 3,000 men) was ordered to rescue the Lost Battalion by General Clayton Dahlquist (Commander of the 36th Division). German soldiers had orders from Adolf Hitler to maintain the Vosges in every way. Rescue mission will be one of the bloodiest battles in the history of the United States Army.

according to Shig Doi, a veteran 442nd infantry regiment. Germany has a complete arsenal ranging from Mortars and "HMG '42". the battle lasted from tree to tree and hill to hill. 442nd Regiment fought for through the dense forest which was then blanketed with fog and rain. On October 30, 1944, 442nd Infantry Regiment broke through German lines to save the "Lost Battalion" after invade "Banzai Hill". "We have lost many soldiers" Doi said. A German sniper shot right into the Nisei soldiers in front of Doi. His friend moving close shot right in the head and seriously wounded. "The sniper could pick on me in the same place." Sometimes he wondered "How can I survive," commented Doi.

At the end of the battle, General Dahlquist asked "where all prajuritmu?" Excuse me sir ... This all is only the remaining "one officer replied in tears. After a day a constant battle near 442 have suffered about 1,000 casualties. 200 soldiers killed in action (KIA) (or missing) with more than 800 wounded (WIA). Sergeant Nunotani of canon company did not know about mengaparesimen 442nd Infantry was sent to save the Lost Battalion. "Meanwhile, there is another regiment which could be used." Sometimes war is "like being on a football team. You play with the team the best and hope to be the best, "said Nunotani. For heroic action in the Vosges, 442nd Infantry Regiment received five awards" President Unit Citations "
on that day they got the nickname, "GO FOR Broke" Regiment, and they managed to save the Lost Batallion known racist.
442nd Infantry regiment lost half the strength of their soldiers, one of the victims was Dan Inouye lost his arm,
but they managed to carry it out. They managed to beat the tanks of the armored divisions to save their American friends.
"This unit has become" the most decorated "in U.S. military history, gaining the nickname" Purple Heart Battalion ". They may have been foolish to take risks and so much sacrifice in saving the racist, but none of them ever question the patriotism of American troops- Japan again.

Although the stock of food, bullets, drugs are minimal. they still have morals and high morale, this is to save their comrades who besieged by enemy forces. they are willing to hurt to lifelong disability and even death in the task by a loyalty to the United States, the country they have lived since the first generation. Not a few cases of racist insults, or they receive from other white soldiers simply because they are the descendants of Japanese.


     442nd Infantry Regiment Award List
21 Medals of Honor (the first awarded posthumously to Private First Class Sadao Munemori , Company A, 100th Battalion, for action near Seravezza, Italy , on April 5, 1945; the others upgraded from other awards in June 2000). Recipients include:
o Barney F. Hajiro
o Mikio Hasemoto
o Joe Hayashi
o Shizuya Hayashi
o Daniel K. Inouye
o Yeiki Kobashigawa
o Robert T. Kuroda
o Kaoru Moto
o Sadao Munemori
o Kiyoshi K. Muranaga
o Masato Nakae
o Shinyei Nakamine
o William K. Nakamura
o Joe M. Nishimoto
o Allan M. Ohata
o James K. Okubo
o Yukio Okutsu
o Frank H. Ono
o Kazuo Otani
o George T. Sakato
o Ted T. Tanouye

* 52 Distinguished Service Crosses (including 19 Distinguished Service Crosses which were upgraded to Medals of Honor in June 2000)
* 1 Distinguished Service Medal
* 560 Silver Stars (plus 28 Oak Leaf Clusters for a second award)
* 22 Legion of Merit Medals
* 15 Soldier's Medals
* 4,000 Bronze Stars (plus 1,200 Oak Leaf Clusters for a second award; one Bronze Star was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in June 2000. One Bronze Star was upgraded to a Silver Star in September 2009.)
* 9,486 Purple Hearts

On October 5, 2010, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion