Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

ADFSDF1996

A lot of people seem to be fascinated with WWII for various reasons. Some find the infantry weapons used during the war to be interesting, others like the German military uniforms and others find the overlooked parts of the war to be interesting. The one part of the war that many people tend to overlook or know nothing about is the 442nd RCT and the MIS(military intelligence service) of the US army.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

“Who were they?” you may ask. They are Japanese-Americans(Americans of Japanese descent) that enlisted in the US military during the war, to prove they are loyal to the US during a era when Japanese-Americans faced prejudice and discrimination as a result of the “progressive” FDR administration that gave the green light to intern Japanese-American citizens along the West coast after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

However, the blame of the Japanese-American internment shouldn’t be fully directed at FDR himself but rather to General John L. Dewitt who came up with the idea in the first place due to his prejudice and suspicions of Japanese-Americans.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

Around 1943-1944, FDR allowed Japanese-Americans to enlist in the US military and thus the 442nd RCT and MIS would soon be formed which were segregated units composed entirely of Japanese-American men. FDR didn't seem to hold as much prejudice since he is quoted with saying the following in regards to the formation of these Japanese-American units.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

The Japanese-American 442nd RCT received their training at camp shelby prior to being shipped off to Europe in 1944 and proved their prowess in Southern and Western Europe.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

The 442nd RCT proved to be a formidable opponent for the Germans. The first battles fought by the 442nd RCT were in Italy, where they helped push back the Germans and secure some Italian towns. Afterwards they were sent to France where the 442nd RCT would face their toughest challenges.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

In the French Voseges mountains, the 442nd RCT liberated two French towns called “Bruyeres” and “Biffontaine”.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

The two toughest and most notable battles that the 442nd RCT fought were the the rescue of the “lost battalion” and breaking through the “Gothic line”.The rescue of the “lost battalion” is perhaps the accomplishment they are known for. The 141st infantry regiment was trapped behind enemy lines and the 442nd RCT were the ones who rescued them. Despite many getting wounded, the 442nd rct was still able to rescue the lost battalion. The gothic line was the last major battle of the 442nd RCT during the war. Prior to the 442nd rct, no other unit had been able to break through the gothic line. The 442nd RCT were the ones who managed to break through the impenetrable gothic line.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

Another Japanese-American unit known as the 522 artillery division which provided artillery support to the 442nd rct are known for

liberating some concentration camps.Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

The MIS is one group of Japanese-Americans that are often forgotten by the masses. While Japanese-American US soldiers were allowed to participate in combat roles in the European theater, Japanese-American participation in the Pacific theater was limited to non combat roles, although a few Japanese-American soldiers did get combat roles.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

The MIS are often considered to have been “America’s secret weapon” during WWII. The MIS primarily served as interpreters, decoders and interrogators. They are known for locating Yamamoto’s whereabouts which lead to his downfall. They are also credited with shortening the war.

The Nisei saved countless lives and shortened the war by 2 years- Charles A. Willoughby

The 442nd RCT is considered to be the most decorated unit of it’s size and length of service in US military history. Aside from other decorations, 21 of it’s members received the Medal of Honor. It’s been said that the 442nd RCT is also one of the reasons why Truman desegregated the US military, he was so impressed by the 442nd RCT. Truman even publicly honored the 442nd RCT.

Little Tokyo here in Los Angeles California has a memorial dedicated to both the 442nd RCT and the MIS. Some 442nd RCT members are still alive, while the rest have passed away from old age.

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)

It’s too bad that Hollywood hasn’t made a movie about the 442nd RCT and the MIS yet. Sadly politics in Hollywood think that mass producing super hero movies are more important. Even Video game developers that make WWII video games tend to overlook the 442nd RCT and MIS.

Hopefully one day a movie director in Hollywood will decide to make a movie about the 442nd RCT and hopefully one day a video game developer will decide to make a WWII video game that includes a 442nd RCT soldier as a protagonist.

This is my tribute to the 442nd RCT and the MIS, two groups that I have a lot of respect for.

#happymemorialday

Tribute to the 442nd RCT and MIS (Memorial Day tribute)
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