The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was an all-Japanese American unit that fought during the Second World War. My grandfather volunteered to fight, along with 10,000 other Nisei (second generation Japanese in America) to fight after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At this time, the Japense were despised by the public because of general mistrust, and anyone with at least 1/16 Japanese decent was sent to an internment camp. These nisei, and their parents (issei), had to give up most of their possesions, including their homes, businesses, etc. They were only allowed to bring what they could carry. The camps were poorly and hastily constructed, and there was no privacy. All Japanese living in America were humiliated and denied their basic liberties in their own country. It was under these conditions that the government asked for Nisei volunteers from the mainland and Hawaii (Japanese in Hawaii were not sent to camps because they were too important to the economy, and there wasn't an ample amount to transport ships). About 10,000 men volunteered from Hawaii, and 1,500 from the mainland. Their mission: to bring back honor to their families and ensure a racist-free society for their children. No one thought the Nisei would be able to preform well, but they were surprised when the 100th Battalion (also made up of Japanese Americas before the 442) preformed so well in the Italian campaign. Because of high casualties, they were named the Purple Heart Battalion. Meanwhile, the 442 was still training in the U.S. Some volunteers were sent to serve in the MIS in the PTO, where they were said to have saved thousands of lives and shortened the war by about two years. They helped translate decoded Japanese messages, and faced both hostile and friendly fire because of their physical appearance. When the 442 joined up with the 100th, they Aliies had just taken Rome, where the 100th was forced to wait while the white soldiers passed into the city to celebrate its liberation. They had every right to be among the first to enter the city after facing bloody fighting trying to break the German line by taking Monte Cassino. There they were used as if expendible and lost many troops in battles no other unit would have gone in to. The 100th became the 1st battalion of the 442nd, but was allowed to retain its name because of its accomplishments. From there, they continued to fight with much distinguishment both in the Italian campaign, and in France. The unit was becoming very well-known, and every time the Germans were facing the 442, they doubled their defenses. Because of this, the commanders kept the 442nd's movements secret. The 552nd Field Artillery Battalion was one of the best support battalions in the war. Their speed and accuracy was unmatched. As a result, they were moved around from unit to unit. It was during one of these times when the 552nd liberated the concentration camp in Dachau. It was the first time they saw the state of these horrible camps. During the duration of the unit's service, it was to be involved in eight major campaigns, they most famous being the Rescue of the Lost Battalion. The 442 was ordered to liberate the town of Bruyeres, and after much hard fighting were sent to take---------, a strategically unimportant town. They were almost cut off of the rest of the Allied untits because of this. Later, when they wre supposed to be resting, the 141st Texas Battalion had been cut off in a similar operation. The 442 was sent to the rescue. They were to lose 800 men, while saving only 200 of the 141st. It was a fool's errand, just as many other battles they were sent into. During that two-week period of almost non-stop fighting, the 442nd lost about 2,200 men. It was cases of heroism, bravery, and love for one's country that made them, in the words of General Mark W. Clark, "The most decorated unit in the history of warfare." As proof of this, below are listed the decorations received by the unit. 8 Major campaigns in Europe 7 Presidential Unit Citations 9,486 Casualties (Purple Hearts) 18,143 Individual decorations including: 20 Congressional Medals of Honor 52 Distinguished Service Crosses 1 Distinguished Service Medal 560 Silver Stars, with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of second Silver Star Awards 22 Legion of Merit Medals 4,000 Bronze Stars 1,200 Oak Leaf Clusters representing second Bronze Stars 15 Soldier's Medals 12 French Croix de Guerre with two Palms representing second awards 2 Italian Crosses for Military Merit 2 Italian Medals for Military Valor
The 100th Infantry Battalion was assigned (not merely attached) as the 2nd Battalion of the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, from North Africa (shortly before Salerno) until the Anzio breakout. As such they share with the 34th Division the French Croix de Guerre with Palm (awarded over de Gaulle's signature) for action at Belvedere (in the mountains north of Monte Cassino), although the US DoD with its infinite efficiency has failed to record and thus recognize this award. I must, however, discount the opinion of 'silentmidgetassasin' that the 100th Battalion had "every right to be among the first to enter the city" [of Rome]. Every soldier - whether American, British, Canadian, Polish, New Zealander, South African, Indian, Jewish, French, Italian, [and an apology to any overlooked at this hour of the night] - had that right, but the arches of Rome were only so wide.
I agree with pretty much everything you said. Thanks for the input. I believe the 34th was the Red Bull Division, correct me if I'm wrong. The reason the 442 was not let into Rome when others that arrived later were permitted to is disputible. No one really knows for sure, it could have been for any number of reasons. And yes,you are definately correct that many other units deserved the right to be among the first into the city.
