The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to honor Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), as well as veterans of the Military Intelligence Service, will take place on Nov. 2. All three units are being recognized for dedicated service during World War II.
The 442nd RCT was established in February 1943 and fought primarily in Europe until 1945. The 442nd, including the 100th, is one of the most highly decorated units in U.S. military history, having earned thousands of Purple Hearts, more than 500 Silver Stars, nine Presidential Unit Citations, and 21 Medals of Honor. The Military Intelligence Service, whose highly specialized contributions helped hasten the end of the war, was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation in 2000.
The Gold Medal represents Congress’s highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
Their heroes’ welcome and recognition comes some 68 years after the war, but it is a moment many of the veterans and their families have long awaited. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the three-day celebration in November.
“It is an incredible moment for generations of Japanese Americans to celebrate and honor the contributions these brave veterans have made to the American story,” said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, granddaughter of a 442nd veteran and chairperson of the National Veterans Network (NVN), who led a coalition of organizations nationwide to ensure the Medal is bestowed upon this group of veterans.
“We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices and contributions, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the 100th, 442nd, and MIS for their valiant service to this country. Because they answered the call to serve, we enjoy a life of equal opportunities, freedom, and privileges that some from their generation did not have.”
The NVN is a coalition of 25 Japanese American veteran and civic organizations whose mission is to serve the interests of Japanese American World War II and subsequent war veterans. (end)
For more information, visit www.nationalveteransnetwork.com.
This is indeed welcome news about some of the most courageous Americans in uniform during the second World War. What happened to the Japanese-American community on the west coast would probably never have happened except for the very racist actions of General Clinton DeWitt, who commanded the Sixth Army of the United States (west coast area).