442nd Regimental Combat Team

The 100th Infantry Battalion began as part of the Hawaii National Guard. On June 5, 1942, 1,432 men left Hawaii for training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and later at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The 100th shipped out to North Africa on August 23, 1943, and saw heavy action in Italy. Because of its heavy casualties and many honors, the 100th became known as the "Purple Heart Battalion." The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was initially formed in 1943 from Japanese American volunteers from Hawaii and the mainland. Perhaps not surprisingly, only about 1,250 Japanese Americans volunteered from the concentration camps. In Hawaii, where there was no mass removal, almost 10,000 volunteered. The 442nd arrived in Italy in June 1944 where the battle-tested 100th Infantry Battalion became its 1st Battalion. In seven major campaigns, the 442nd became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service; the unit suffered 9,476 casualties, more than 300 percent of its original strength.

World War II (231)
Military service (2806)
442nd Regimental Combat Team (3011)

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vh Chester Tanaka Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1007-6-6)

Memories of the journey to Europe by sea (audio only)

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-6-6/

vh Chester Tanaka Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1007-6-8)

Describing the character of the Nisei soldiers (audio only)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-6-8/

vh James Lovell Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1007-12-2)

Witnessing the reactions of white officers to an all-Japanese American unit (audio only)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-12-2/

vh James Lovell Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1007-12-4)

The importance of sharing the story of the 100th Battalion (audio only)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-12-4/

vh James Lovell Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1007-12-5)

Being asked to take part in a questionable project involving Nisei soldiers (audio only)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-12-5/

vh James Lovell Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1007-12-3)

Response to accusations that the 100th Battalion was overused or 'expendable' (audio only)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-12-3/

vh Edward H. Mitsukado Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1007-4-8)

Talking a fellow soldier down when he discovers his father was being held by the U.S. government

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-4-8/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1022-5-2)

The intense battle of Hill 140

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-2/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1022-5-6)

Traveling through the French countryside

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-6/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1022-5-9)

Hearing about casualties

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-9/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1022-5-3)

The dangers of being an artilleryman

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-3/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1022-5-16)

Preparing to return home

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-16/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1022-5-4)

Description of short rest periods while on the front lines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-4/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1022-5-11)

Having a studio photograph taken in France

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-11/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1022-5-7)

The Battle of the "Lost Battalion"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-7/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview V Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1022-5-5)

First arriving in France

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-5-5/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview III Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1022-3-14)

Brother's decision to volunteer for the army

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-3-14/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1022-4-4)

Reporting for duty at Schofield Barracks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-4/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1022-4-15)

Journey to Europe in a convoy of military ships

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-15/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1022-4-16)

Landing in Italy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-16/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1022-4-7)

First impressions of Camp Shelby

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-7/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1022-4-5)

Memories of the trip by sea from Honolulu to Oakland

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-5/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1022-4-8)

Early days of training

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-8/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1022-4-10)

Fights between Hawaii and Mainland Japanese Americans

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-10/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview IV Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1022-4-12)

Meeting local families while training

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-4-12/