442nd Combat Regiment of World War II (You Tube)

Nisei train for the Army.

June, 1944, the 442nd leaves for combat duty in Europe.

Their motto.

Oct. 1944, the team is sent to France. The Nisei view their commander, though, as biased against Japanese units.

They are to liberate the town.

Their commander told them they would meet little resistance, but they met the exact opposite. When they took the town, the 36th Division took the credit.

The 442nd is sent to the rescue, while the rest of the 36th Division fails to become involved. They end up saving around 200 men, but lose around 800 men in the action.

Controversy circles around whether it was a rash order from the general, or actually a form of racism against the Nisei.

Reference is made to the famous review ordered by the general. He got made when it was held, complaining that all the men were supposed to show up. He was told that the men that showed up were all that were left, period.

Truman honored the 442nd, noting that they 'fought not only the enemy, but prejudice.'

Then there's a short bit about the Nisei that were used as intelligence gatherers and interpreters.

They also interrogate Japanese prisoners.

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