Memorial Day Lecture "Go For Broke", the 442 Combat Regiment and 100th Battalion

[JeffKeryk]

Wifey and I attended a lecture at the Moffett Field Museum today; the lecture focused on the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Infantry Regiment, also known as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. While I thought I had a decent understanding of the highly decorated Japanese American 442 Infantry, I learned a lot.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), composed primarily of Nisei (American-born sons of Japanese immigrants), was known for its motto, "Go For Broke," a Hawaiian gambling term meaning to risk everything for a big win. This unit, along with the 100th Infantry Battalion, is the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service, earning 21 Medals of Honor, 8 Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous Purple Hearts.

The 442nd served in both the European and Pacific Theaters during WWII but are best known for their valor in Europe. In 1944, the 442nd landed in Italy and later joined the invasion of southern France. They famously rescued the “Lost Battalion” at Biffontaine, suffering nearly 1,600 casualties to save 211 surrounded soldiers of the 1st Battalion. By April 1945, they had pushed into Germany and were among the first Allied troops to liberate prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp. The 442nd earned 9,486 Purple Hearts, earning them the nickname “The Purple Heart Battalion.”

The Hawaiian volunteers and West Coast volunteers did not get along initially. The Hawaiians we mostly farmers who spoke Pidgen while the West Coast volunteers spoke perfect English. Upon attending a dance at an Internment Camp, the Hawaiians learned what was happening on the mainland and their differences waned.

Numerous battles were discussed. The 442nd played a crucial role in the liberation of prisoners who were part of a death march from Dachau to the Alps. There is so much more. This was a sobering lecture.

As journalist Tom Brokaw coined, "The Greatest Generation".

Some museum pics for ya bud...

9 cyl radial engine 629 cubic inch, 256 HP, in Operation since 1948

Who doesn't love Dodge PU?

 

[Bud]

Nice.

 

[Boomer]

To me, the group you discussed above and the Redtails deserve our undying gratitude for what they did and endured from their own country. A BIG THANK YOU!!!

 

[2005jettatdi]

When I worked in Fife, WA back in the 80s, I knew several former members of the 442nd. I knew many who were thrown into concentration camps by our own government for the offense of having Japanese ancestry. One was drafted while in camp and proudly served as an interpreter in the Pacific. They were friends and clients.

When the feds proposed a $ 20,000 reparations payment to each one I asked many about wanting the money. Almost all said they only wanted to make sure it never happened again. The exception was the draftee I mentioned above. He said yes since he had already spent it.

 

[JeffKeryk]

When I worked in Fife, WA back in the 80s, I knew several former members of the 442nd. I knew many who were thrown into concentration camps by our own government for the offense of having Japanese ancestry. One was drafted while in camp and proudly served as an interpreter in the Pacific. They were friends and clients.

When the feds proposed a $ 20,000 reparations payment to each one I asked many about wanting the money. Almost all said they only wanted to make sure it never happened again. The exception was the draftee I mentioned above. He said yes since he had already spent it.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, which provided $20,000 in reparations and a formal apology to each surviving Japanese American who had been incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. The act also acknowledged the injustice of the internment, citing factors like race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership as reasons for the government's actions.

Internees were never charged with a crime. Homes and possessions were lost; they started over with nothing but made good lives out of the injustice. It is hard to comprehend the young men volunteering for combat infantry after being treated this way. There is much more to the 442 story. Great Americans, certainly part of our Greatest Generation.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Thanks for the report, Jeff.

I visited the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming when it was basically a few buildings disintegrating in the weather. (It is a more developed interpretive site now.) There was a small monument honoring those from the camp who fought in the 442nd.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Thanks for the report, Jeff.

I visited the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming when it was basically a few buildings disintegrating in the weather. (It is a more developed interpretive site now.) There was a small monument honoring those from the camp who fought in the 442nd.

The initial volunteers we mostly from Hawaii; camp internees were understandably bitter. Later that changed and many internees enlisted.
Interestingly, the 442 Combat Regiment while incredibly brave and disciplined, averaged 5'3" inheight and 125 lbs.

As World War II dragged on into 1943, the United States government needed more soldiers, and it called for Japanese American volunteers to join Nisei units of the U.S. Army under a white commanding officer. On January 28, 1943, the War Department set a goal of 1,500 recruits from the Hawaiian Islands, but over 10,000 people volunteered.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team is widely considered the most feared and decorated American unit in World War II.

I highly suggest researching these stories and more. Memorial Day is a day of reflection and reverence to those who put it all on the line for their our country.

 

[Pablo]

The initial volunteers we mostly from Hawaii; camp internees were understandably bitter. Later that changed and many internees enlisted.
Interestingly, the 442 Combat Regiment while incredibly brave and disciplined, averaged 5'3" inheight and 125 lbs.

As World War II dragged on into 1943, the United States government needed more soldiers, and it called for Japanese American volunteers to join Nisei units of the U.S. Army under a white commanding officer. On January 28, 1943, the War Department set a goal of 1,500 recruits from the Hawaiian Islands, but over 10,000 people volunteered.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team is widely considered the most feared and decorated American unit in World War II.

I highly suggest researching these stories and more. Memorial Day is a day of reflection and reverence to those who put it all on the line for their our country.

My FIL was under house arrest in HI. When war ended, he joined the Army immediately and was stationed in occupied Japan.

This little known fact was key to me finding my beautiful bride.

 

[DirectRejection]

I had a Haole friend who worked at Southwest Airlines Cargo SJC. He talked often about his uncle by marriage, a 442nd MOH winner (1 of those 21) for action in Europe.

My friend moved back to Hawaii but the reverence Island people have for these heroes--and we all should have is really something.

I have been listening lately to Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History: Supernova in the East". It covers in great and riveting detail WW II in the Pacific. Highest recommendation.

Regards to all on Memorial Day.