442nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

The 442nd Infantry Regiment was an army unit during World War II comprised entirely of Japanese-American soldiers. The US Army activated the regiment on June 5, 1942, six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The unit was known for its loyalty, fierce fighting, and sacrifices and became one of the most highly decorated regiments in US history. The 442nd's "go-for-broke" slogan reflected its fierceness and refusal to give up.

Overview

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, about 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry were living in the United States. More than 60 percent of them were American citizens. But once President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared war on Japan, people in the country began to fear and distrust those of Japanese descent. Second-generation Japanese Americans, called Nisei, were loyal American citizens who wanted to prove their worth to the country in its time of need.

In 1941, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which set the stage for isolating anyone the military deemed a threat. Executive Order 9102, signed in 1942, established the War Relocation Authority, which allowed enemy aliens—Japanese Americans—to be moved into internment camps away from the West Coast. Because they were now considered enemy aliens, Nisei were ineligible for military service. Before long, the government forced entire families of Japanese Americans into inland camps, where they remained until the end of the war.

The government restored Nisei eligibility for the draft in January of 1944. Nisei men volunteered for military service and quickly proved their dedication and loyalty. Many died in fierce battles against the Germans in Europe, but their exceptional performance was recognized and rewarded. In the end, their dedication and sacrifices helped weaken the prejudice against Japanese Americans.

Service in Europe

Nisei already serving in the army were segregated into one group, the 100th Infantry Battalion from Hawaii. New recruits were assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT). After training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 442nd shipped out for Italy while the 1st Battalion stayed behind to train new recruits. In Italy, the 100th Battalion joined the 442nd to form a single infantry regiment. The 100th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion were quickly assigned to clear the town of Belvedere, which they accomplished by seizing a hill behind the German battalion, allowing them a clear view of the enemy's position. By assaulting from the rear and both flanks, the 442nd infantry broke up the German position and killed or captured the entire German battalion, along with its artillery and equipment. German soldiers learned to fear the Japanese-American soldiers because they would never quit. The 3rd Battalion went on to clear the town of Suvereto, after which the three battalions moved into Sassetta. During these first days of battle, the infantry learned a great deal and polished its fighting skills.

One later battle was especially notable. Army commanders called in the 442nd to rescue a battalion surrounded by German forces in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France. Two previous attempts at saving the so-called Lost Battalion had already failed. Now they needed an American unit that could get the job done. The 442nd applied its go-for-broke attitude, risking their lives and refusing to quit. Nisei fought fiercely for five days against the Germans. When it was over, they had won, having rescued more than 200 American soldiers. However, the 442nd lost some 800 men in the battle. Despite their losses, the remaining soldiers received orders to continue their advance and fought on for more than a week before they were able to rest. The men had proven beyond doubt their ability as soldiers and loyalty to the United States.

Commendations and Decorations

Because of their bravery and sacrifices for their country, the soldiers of the 442nd RCT were one of the most highly decorated units in the history of the US Army. The Japanese-American soldiers were nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion for the more than 5,000 Purple Hearts they received. By the war's end, the men had earned more than 18,000 individual awards. In addition to Purple Hearts, the soldiers received 21 Medals of Honor, the American military's highest honor for valor; 33 Distinguished Service Crosses, the second-highest medal for distinguished service; 560 Silver Stars, the third-highest honor; 4,000 Bronze Stars, the fourth-highest award; and 22 Legion of Merit Awards for exceptionally meritorious conduct. As units, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd received eight Presidential Distinguished Unit Citations.

Brigadier General Francis H. Oxx commended the 442nd at the end of the war for its high morale and exemplary discipline and conduct. He also noted its combat record, which was unsurpassed. In July of 1946, President Harry S. Truman welcomed veterans of the 442nd Infantry Regiment to a White House reception. Truman praised them not only for their bravery against the enemy, but also for proving themselves in their fight against prejudice.

More than 65 years later, Congress passed legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to thousands of Japanese-American veterans of World War II. President Barack Obama signed it into law in 2010. Obama met with seven of the elderly veterans in the Oval Office in 2014 and thanked them for their service. Obama also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Daniel Inouye, who had already received the Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership in battle with the 442nd. Inouye represented Hawaii in the House of Representatives and the Senate for more than 53 years.

Bibliography

"Events." American Veterans Center. American Veterans Center, 2012. Web. 4 Oct. 2014.

<http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/events/conference/awards/audie-murphy-award/the-442nd-regimental-combat-team/>

""Battle History: Rome-Arno." 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team Historical Society, 09 Sept. 2012. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.

< http://the442.org/battlehistory/romearno.html>

"President Obama Meets Japanese American World War II Veterans." Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. White House.gov. Web. 4 Oct. 2014.

<http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/02/18/president-obama-meets-japanese-american-world-war-ii-veterans>