Nestled in an undergrowth clearing near Bruyères, France is a monument dedicated to the members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion, who were instrumental in helping to liberate the town of Bruyères, as well as Belmont and Biffontaine, during World War II in fall 1944. Complete with a plaque in […]
A social and operational — though somewhat lacking — history of the 110th and 442nd
July 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Going for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers in the War against Nazi Germany By James M. McCaffrey (Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 2013, 424 pp., $34.95, hard cover) With another book documenting the experiences of Nisei military participation during World War II, Dr. James McCaffrey’s “Going for Broke” attempts to re-narrate the perseverance, struggle, and triumph […]
An inclusive tribute to the Nisei WWII veterans
January 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
PROUD TO SERVE: JAPANESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS Edited by Chris Komai (Los Angeles: Rafu Shimpo and Japanese American Living Legacy 2012, 390 pp., $29.95, paperback) This is a wonderful compilation and recognition of Nisei men and women who served in all the units besides Military Intelligence Service, 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental […]
Hawai‘i political icon Sen. Inouye, third in line of presidency, dies at 88
December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A decorated World War II veteran, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, died Dec. 17. He was 88. Hawai‘i’s most senior politician passed away from respiratory complications at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., his office said in a statement issued Dec. 17. According to the statement, […]
Nikkei stories of survival
July 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
FAMILY TORN APART: THE INTERNMENT STORY OF THE OTOKICHI MUIN OZAKI FAMILY Edited By Gail Honda (Honolulu: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2012, 312 pp., $26, paperback) GO FOR BROKE! ME AND THE WAR By Isami (Mike) Tsuji (Fullerton, Calif.: Nikkei Writers Guild, A Division of Japanese American Living Legacy, 2011, 160 pp., $14, paperback) […]
‘Secret Weapon’ divulges the feelings and stories behind the MIS’ experience
May 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The courage and sacrifice of Nisei servicemen in World War II is well-known among Japanese Americans. Along with the mass incarceration of West Coast Nikkei during that same period, it’s probably the most famous and defining part of our history. Their story, though, has largely been told in broad strokes. It goes something like this: At a time when America questioned […]
LONG OVERDUE: Japanese American veterans of World War II receive Congressional Gold Medals at South Bay ceremony
March 22, 2012 by 1 Comment
SAN JOSE — It was moving. It was emotional. It was long overdue and yet so deserving when U.S. Congressional leaders awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Japanese American World War II veterans of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service. Almost 800 people filled the San Jose Buddhist Church […]
LETTERS: CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL: NorCal Regional Tribute on April 22
March 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dear Friends, On Nov. 2, 2011, the United States Congress presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Nikkei veterans of the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service of World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) is the highest civilian award presented by Congress. Some 35 veterans from Northern California were […]
SUS ITO: The life of an American soldier and noted biologist
November 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Susumu “Sus” Ito is renown within the medical field for his work with the gastronomical tract. Despite retiring as a professor from Harvard Medical School in 1990, the 92-year-old continues to go into the lab in Boston a few times a week to study. His work has won him recognition around the world and has […]
Reflections on the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony
The day began with drama. My sister and I had come to the ceremony on behalf of our late father. She had gone to the Washington Hilton, headquarters for the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, to reconnoiter and register us. Some minutes later, she phoned me yelling, “Get over here. The buses are leaving for the ceremony!” […]