442nd Infantry Battalion

• Notable Heritage: The 442nd Infantry Regiment, often called the 442nd Infantry Battalion, was a segregated unit composed almost entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans (Nisei) during World War II. • Motto: Their famous motto is "Go for Broke," which reflected their determination to prove their loyalty to the United States. • Most Decorated: The 442nd is the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare, earning over 18,000 awards in less than two years. • Bravery Amid Prejudice: Many of the soldiers’ families were interned in camps back in the U.S., yet these soldiers volunteered to fight for America. • Rescue of the Lost Battalion: One of their most famous actions was rescuing the "Lost Battalion"—the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, trapped behind enemy lines in France. The 442nd suffered over 800 casualties to save 211 men. • Presidential Recognition: In 2010, the unit was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States, for its extraordinary service. • Medal of Honor Recipients: 21 soldiers from the 442nd were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military distinction. • Civil Rights Impact: The heroism and achievements of the 442nd helped change American attitudes toward Japanese Americans, paving the way for the eventual closure of internment camps and later civil rights advances. • European Campaigns: The 442nd fought in Italy, France, and Germany, participating in the Rome-Arno, Rhineland, and Po Valley campaigns. • Postwar Legacy: Many veterans of the 442nd went on to become prominent leaders, including U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, who lost his right arm in combat and later became President pro tempore of the Senate.