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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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Posted on 02/09/2003 12:00:54 AM PST by SAMWolf
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are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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Their Japanese ancestry caused them to be unwanted, feared, distrusted and even despised. An expected Japanese invasion of Hawai'i induced their hasty removal from their beloved island home. The Army didn't know what to do with them after 14 months of training, even after their dispatch to North Africa. They were the Army's "orphan outfit," playing "guinea pig" for Japanese Americans in military service. Finally, after assignment to the 34th Division they gained the opportunity to engage in combat as the first and only segregated, all-Japanese infantry unit - the men of the 100th known as "The One Puka Puka."  On May 29,1942, as the Japanese Navy approached Midway, Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall ordered that a provisional infantry battalion, consisting of all officers and soldiers of Japanese ancestry in the 298th and 299th Infantry. Both units were sent by water to central U.S. to train as an infantry combat unit. Within five days, 1,432 Nisei soldiers transferred from the 298th and 299th into the "Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion" and sailed from Honolulu on the SS Maui on June 5, 1942. The War Department activated them into the "100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)"; "separate" meaning not attached to a regiment or any other military unit, literally a military orphan outfit. In spite of such an inauspicious origin, 15 months later it was destined to become the famed and legendary 100th Battalion. The 100th was sent to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, to train as an infantry unit. For the next six months they trained rigorously and so well that most men were crosstrained into use of other weapons and equipment. As reports of their superiors training record reached the War Department, the 100th became the subject of rigid and frequent inspections by army brass, "the most inspected unit in the Army". Men of the 100th endured all this with equanimity and intense unit pride, striving to become the finest in the U. S. Army, ever realizing that they "must do better than the average soldier because the eyes of America were on them".  Regimental Color Guard, 442nd RCT Bruyeres, France, 11/12/44 Seven more months of maneuvers at Camp Shelby, Louisiana followed. On August 21, 1943, the 100th sailed from Staten Island on the SS James Parker for North Africa. On September 2, the 100th received notification it would be assigned to the 133rd Regiment, 34th Division, for a combat role! Morale uplifted, the men of the 100th received the news with cheers. On September 22, 1943, the 100th stormed ashore in an amphibious landing at the Salerno beachhead as part of the 34th "Red Bull" Division. Tough battles, especially at Cassino, marked the harsh and bitter route of the 100th from Salerno to Rome. For the Cassino battles alone, the 100th suffered 48 killed, 144 wounded and 75 hospitalized for trench foot. The 100th landed at Salerno with over 1,300 personnel, but after Cassino only 521 remained. The "Guinea Pig Battalion" became the "Purple Heart Battalion."  100th Inf. Bn. moving up to the front on a dusty road in Velletria, Italy on May 26, 1944. Generals who previously shunned this unit of Japanese Americans vied with each other for assignment of the 100th to their commands. Bill Mauldin, famous war correspondent, wrote, "no combat unit in the army could exceed them in loyalty, hard work, courage, and sacrifice." But beyond the widely acclaimed military prowess by numerous generals that fought to get the 100th assigned to them, men of the "One Puka Puka" convincingly proved their point. The July 31, 1944 issue of TIME magazine said: "From a cautious experiment the Army had received an unexpectedly rich reward. A group of sinewy Oriental soldiers, only one generation removed from a nation that was fighting fanatically against the U.S., was fighting just as fanatically for it. Last week, the War Department wrote "proved" on the experiment. It added a unit citation (for "outstanding performance of duty in action") to the already remarkable collection of medals held by the Japanese-American 100th Battalion." By war's end the 100th had compiled and contributed an incomparable record of 338 killed in action, 3 Presidential Unit Citation, 1 Congressional Medal of Honor, 24 Distinguished Service Cross, 147 Silver Star (for valor) and 2,173 Bronze Star (for meritorious service), 30 Division Commendation and 1,703 Purple Heart awards and citations.  PFC William Wada of Blanea, Colorado, being congratulated for the Bronze Star Medal by Brig. Gen. Innel. Wada was cited for outstanding and heroic achievement in action. But the true significance, contribution and legacy left by the "One Puka Puka" is best summarized in this warm tribute and accolade of the 100th by Lyn Crost, wartime correspondent for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and staunch friend of the 100/442. "The original 100th Infantry Battalion was the first Japanese American combat unit in the history of the United States. In fulfilling the trust given it, this unique battalion helped erase much of the nation's suspicion of Japanese Americans and cleared the way for thousands of them to join the 100/442 Regimental Combat Team." But the record of that original 100th Infantry Battalion and what it means in the acceptance of Japanese Americans as loyal citizens of the United States must be remembered. The 100th proved that loyalty to the United States is not a matter of race or ancestry. That "guinea pig battalion" never failed. That is why, with deep indebtedness and undying gratitude, we salute the original "One Puka Puka!"
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If anyone has any ideas about what I could keep as a permanent post or contactees to list, let me know!!
Take this with you: Go to the war with your training, your will, and your love of country. I sat a day before the final combat, it was the longest day of my life. A soldier wants to fight the Goddamn thing and get it overwith, I know, I've been there. Take a deep breath and wait. The waiting is the hardest part, again, I know. Take another chance to check your ammo, your gear, your resolve. When the time comes you'll need all of that.
When the light goes green, you jump out of that aircraft with one though in your mind....win this war! When you hit the ground you make the enemy pay, and pay large!
I wish I could be with you, but I'm and old man of 55 that couldn't make the jump, but I'm still your brother.
The President of the United States has ordered in the Airbourne, that means it's getting rough.
As the tears drip on my keyboard, you Airbourne, you "better than most", you flying soldiers, you make me proud. I know you will. There are no other troops better than we, the 101st Airbourne Division. Death from the Sky! Kick his ass, with all the courage you have in that outfit!
Espri' de Corps....the spirit of the Corps. Nothing will take our victory from us, for we are Airbourne, and the Airbourne will always win!
Thanks for your service, timydnuc. I know how you're feeling, God Bless our troops and grant them a swift Victory.
I can understand interning and deporting Foriegn Nationals but most were American Citizens and didn't deserve the treatment they received.
Oh that it were so! LOL!
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