A War on Two Fronts
"We're fighting two wars...One for American democracy and one against the prejudice towards us in America..."
-1st Lieutenant of the 100th Infantry Battalion Sakae Takahashi
-1st Lieutenant of the 100th Infantry Battalion Sakae Takahashi
On February 1st, 1943, President Roosevelt created the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This team was an infantry unit made up entirely of Japanese Americans. Their motto was "Go For Broke" a gambling term that would risk it all to win big. They fought against the Axis Powers of Europe during World War II, rescued the Lost Battalion (in which they suffered 800 casualties), and received seven Distinguished United Citations (the highest award a unit is able to receive).
"They are as thoroughly loyal as German Americans, Italian Americans, or any other American of foreign ancestry."
-Facts concerning 44nd Infantry, April 4, 1954
"The members of the Combat Team have made a magnificent record of which they and all Americans should be proud. This record, without a doubt, is the most important single factor in creating in this country a more understanding attitude toward the people of Japanese descent."
Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior
"It was a high price to pay...to prove our loyalty."
-Masako Nakagawa
-Facts concerning 44nd Infantry, April 4, 1954
"The members of the Combat Team have made a magnificent record of which they and all Americans should be proud. This record, without a doubt, is the most important single factor in creating in this country a more understanding attitude toward the people of Japanese descent."
Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior
"It was a high price to pay...to prove our loyalty."
-Masako Nakagawa