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(Picture of 442nd Regimental Combat Team)

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18,000 awards. 9,500 Purple Hearts, 5,200 Bronze Star Medals, 588 Silver Stars and many other recognition's. These only slightly show the hard work and dedication from the 442 Combat Regiment. This regiment constructed almost entirely of Nisei Japanese Americans. During World War II, Japanese Americans were not originally allowed to fight in the war because they were unable to prove loyalty. The United States had a racist view amongst the Japanese even if they were born in the states their blood is what really matters. The 442nd regiment fought in eight major operations throughout Spain, Germany, and France. This regiment is considered as the most decorated when it comes to awards in US history. During WWII Japanese-Americans gave up a part of their culture and heritage to fight in the 442 combat regiment.

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(Posters that would be seen stating that all people of Japanese ancestry must leave)

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"Suddenly the Japanese were our enemy, which meant that every American of Japanese ancestry was suspect." They were classified as "enemy aliens" and could not be drafted. They could not even try to enlist in the army. In Hawaii, Japanese Americans made up almost 30 % of the population. When the governor realized, each member of Japanese descent was kicked out. The Japanese were now seen as the target enemy and the U.S wanted to get rid of them, unless they would volunteer to defend the U.S. They felt bamboozled to give up their own heritage (of Japanese culture) to help fight for America, so they wouldn't be seen as "suspects". The Japanese-Americans felt almost trapped and even forced to give up their own culture so they would not be seen as suspects and forced to leave.

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(442nd Regimental Combat Team. Camp Shelby, Mississippi. June 1943. Courtesy of the United States War Department.)

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"Go for broke" is the battle cry of the 442nd Regiment. This motto was a popular term used amongst gamblers from Hawai'i meaning to risk all they had for one singular big win. In relation to the soldiers of this regiment, they risked their lives and everything they had to fight for their country and try to keep peace. They placed themselves in front of harm's way to show their loyalty and patriotism for the United States of America even if they didn't receive the respect and recognition in return. Many of the Nisei generation of Japanese Americans volunteered to better the lives of future families and citizens living in the US. The Japanese living in the US after the attack of Pearl Harbor faced many hardships and racial lies and propaganda was spread throughout the media.

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(Picture of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in action)

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The “Loyalty Questionnaire” was a document given to all Americans of Japanese ancestry age 17 and older. They were forced to pledge to support the US constitution and forgo their allegiance to the Emperor of Japan. Still being an American born citizen no other American Citizens was asked to take an extra pledge prior to joining the military. Not the Italian Americans, German Americans or even Russian Americans. Many Japanese-Americans joined the military to show their loyalty to America and show that they are willing to give up their lives for the country. The Japanese-Americans felt discriminated against and mistreated, but they still put in effort to show their loyalty.

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(Farewell to Manzanar by: Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston)

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In the book Farewell to Manzanar, during Papa's interrogation in chapters 7 and 8 he was asked questions about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and his opinions about the war. He continues to say to the interviewer, "When your mother and father are having a fight, do you want them to kill each other? Or do you just want them to stop fighting?" What Papa meant by this was that he really didn't want Japan and America to be at war with one another because he has loyalty to both due to having ancestry in both countries. He relates it to as if your mom and dad are fighting, meaning that he wishes everything would just simmer down so he wouldn't have to choose sides because he loves them both equally. In this case he doesn't want to explicitly state which country he shows his loyalty to because he favors both. This statement Papa says shows how he can't be blatant and upfront about his Japanese heritage to stay not considered a "suspect". This ties back into how many Japanese-Americans had to give up their culture or at least some part of it during this time.

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All in all the Japanese Americans that were a part of the 442nd Regiment fought for the United States even if it included sacrificing their loyalty to Japan. Although they were not accepted as true Americans and were racially attacked and segregated because of their Japanese descent, they did not let that get in their way. They created stepping stones for future Japanese-Americans living in the US. Their courageous acts and perseverance resulted in being the most decorated regiment in US history. Everyone who served in this regiment is appreciated today and recognized for their bravery and hard working souls.