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The 100th Infantry Battalion/442 Regimental Combat Team, made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the concentration camps on the mainland, became legendary because of their exploits in Europe during World War II. In just 225 days of combat between 1944-45, the 442nd compiled a remarkable record and became the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American military history. Perhaps the most famous of the 442nd accomplishments was the heroic rescue of the Texas "Lost Battalion" which had been caught behind enemy lines. In a ferocious battle, the 442nd suffered over 800 casualties (including 184 killed) to rescue 211 members of the Texas battalion.

The 100th/442nd stayed in Europe as occupation troops for over a year after the war there had ended. By 1946, all of the veterans had been replaced by new troops. Lieutenant General John C. H. Lee salutes the colors of the 100th/442nd at the awards ceremony held in Livorno (Leghorn), Italy, in June 1946.