The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was a segregated U.S. Army unit composed of Japanese American volunteers from Hawaii and the mainland during World War II. Its roots trace back to the 100th Infantry Battalion, formed in 1942 by Nisei soldiers from Hawaii. Their outstanding training record and combat performance helped pave the way for the creation of the 442nd in 1943.
Their motto, “Go for Broke,” symbolized their relentless spirit and bravery—even as many of their families were facing incarceration and racial discrimination at home.
During one of their most dangerous missions—the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” in France—the 100th and 442nd suffered exceptionally high casualties under the command of Major General John E. Dahlquist, who, many believe, viewed the Nisei soldiers as expendable.
The combined 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT became the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history.
After the war, Japanese American soldiers and former incarcerees returned home to a variety of circumstances. Some had homes or farms to return to, while others had lost everything—including family members. Prejudice remained widespread, and many faced difficulties finding housing or employment. However, some veterans and their families were able to pursue higher education and home ownership through the GI Bill.
While the veterans of the 442nd received public honor and military accolades, Japanese Americans who resisted the draft while incarcerated were labeled traitors. This created a painful divide within families and the broader Japanese American community—one that still lingers today.
In March 2025, the U.S. Army quietly removed the 442nd’s official webpage, following an executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. After public outcry and criticism, the Army restored the page. Similar actions were taken—and reversed—for materials related to the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs).
To learn more about Japanese American veterans of WWII, please visit Go For Broke National Education Center
