Reclaiming honor
A representation of Purple Heart Awards received by the 442nd, (Personal Photo), 2016
A representation of Purple Heart Awards received by the 442nd, (Personal Photo), 2016
The Nisei bought an awful big hunk of America with their blood. Those Nisei boys have a place in the American heart, now and forever. We cannot allow a single injustice to be done to the Nisei without defeating the purpose for which we fought...Who, after all, is the real American? The real American is the man who calls it a fair exchange to lay down his life in order that American ideals may go on living. And judging by such a test, Sergeant Masuda was a better American than any of us here today.
- General Stillwell as he honors the late Sergeant Masuda, a former 442nd member
"Your combat record has not been surpassed.”
-former Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson’s personal representative addressing the 442nd
The 442nd, in its seven major war campaigns, became a highly decorated military unit. The 442nd taking a stand resulted in the team receiving seven Presidential Unit citations. Its combatants had been decorated with over 18,000 decorations of honor. These included 52 Distinguished Crosses, 21 Medals of Honor, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, and approximately 9,500 Purple Heart Awards.
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Source: YouTube- DLIFLC Monterey
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"You are now on your way home. You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice–and you have won. Keep up that fight, and we will continue to win–to make this great Republic stand for just what the Constitution says it stands for: the welfare of all the people all the time." |
"When young Japanese American men volunteered enthusiastically, some Americans were puzzled. But those who volunteered knew why. Their own country had dared to question their patriotism and they would not rest until they had proved their loyalty. As sons set off to war, so many mothers and fathers told them, live if you can; die if you must; but fight always with honor, and never, ever bring shame on your family or your country." |
"The men of the 100/442 took terrific casualties. They showed rare courage and tremendous fighting spirit....[E]verybody wanted them."
-General George Marshall
"The Nisei shorten the Pacific War by two years and saved, possibly, a million American lives."
-General Charles Willoughby, former Military Intelligence chief of staff