December 7, 1941 is a day which will live on in the lives of many Americans. It is the day Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor , wounding over 1,000 service members and killing over 2,000. It seemed every American was affected in one shape or another by the attacks, even American born citizens with Japanese decedents.
While many men and women of all races volunteered to serve their country, little was known about the enlistment of around 3,800 Japanese Americans who also wanted to proudly serve the country they called home.
The 442 nd Regimental Combat Team was an Asian American infantry unit mostly consisting of "Nisei," or second generation Japanese Americans born in the U.S. , Soldiers who displayed great amounts of honor and personal-courage during European battles in World War II. This group of brave Soldiers fought with exceptional distinction during battles in France , Germany and Italy .
Today, the 422 nd RCT is one of the most honored and decorated units in the United States Armed Forces, with 21 Soldiers who have received the Medal of Honor.
Upon its formation, the 422 nd consisted of three infantry battalions, 100 th Infantry Battalion (Separate), the 522 nd Field Artillery Battalion, the 232 nd Engineering Company, and the 206 th Army Band, just to name a few. They trained together, except for the 100 th Infantry Battalion, at Camp Shelby , Mississippi , in preparation for war.
With the 100 th Infantry Battalion already fighting in Europe, the rest of the 422 nd , minus their 1 st Battalion who was designated the 171 st Infantry Battalion (Separate), landed to join forces for a combined push through Italy , on their way to southern France . There, the 442 nd participated in the liberating the "Lost Battalion" at Biffontaine , France . The Soldiers of the 442 nd fought rigorously from October 26-30, 1944, rescuing 211 Soldiers of the 1 st Battalion, 141 st Infantry, which had been surround by German forces since October 24.
The rescue mission by the 442 nd was a success but came at a high cost. The unit lost over 800 Soldiers in the process but refused to quit, leaving no man behind.
Through these heroic efforts, the 442 nd RCT has been rewarded not only 21 Medals of Honor, but also 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 560 Silver Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals, and 4,000 Bronze Stars.
The 442 nd has also been awarded 7 Presidential Unit Citations, with 5 of those coming in one month alone. But one unique name has been given to the heroes of the 442 nd , the "Purple Heart Battalion" for being awarded almost 4,500 Purple Hearts.
Members of the 442 nd had a lasting affect in American life with Daniel Inouye, one of the Medal of Honor recipients, becoming one of the longest running U.S. Senators, from Hawaii, since 1962. Also, Keisuke Miyagi, played by Pat Morita in the "Karate Kid" series, is a fictional Medal of Honor recipient who fought in battle with the 442 nd .
The 442 nd currently is fighting on today, being reactivated for service in Iraq , in August 2004. After completing their heroic duties in Balad , Iraq , and carrying on with the honorable traditions of the 442 nd , the Soldiers headed home in 2006.
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