Soldiers carrying the standards of Companies A, B, C, and D of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regiment, 34th Division, July 27, 1944, Rosignano area, Italy.
Dear Editor:
Regarding the BBC World Service audio drama “Purple Heart Warriors,” written by Iris Yamashita (Rafu Shimpo,Nov. 22):
Since she’s focusing on the battles in the Vosges in the fall of 1944, it is proper to refer to the unit as the 442ndRegimental Combat Team since the legendary 100thBattalion (Separate) became officially part of the 442ndRCT on Aug. 10, 1944.
That said, the story of the AJA military units would not be complete without accounting for the 100thBattalion’s (Separate) accomplishments from September 1943 to August 1944.
I reached out with my concerns to Iris Yamashita, who graciously replied, “Very grateful to the men of the 100th. The explanation of the 100thwhen the 442ndmeet up with them in Italy is included in the narration. BTW, I grew up in Hawaii and my uncle was born there.”
This phrase in the article — “the men of the 442ndwere known for their bravery, earning over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor, seven Presidential Unit Citations, and numerous other accolades” — must be revised to include the 100thInfantry Battalion.
Since the awards received by this heralded unit from September 1943 to June 26,1944, when the 442ndRCT entered combat, are included in this recognition of the “most decorated unit,” it is only appropriate to have the 100thBattalion listed together with the 442ndRCT.
For example, from September 1943 to the end of the war:
? Of 10,000 soldiers in the combined 100thand 442nd, 3,147 (31%) were in the 100th.
? Of 716 soldiers who died in service, 340 (47%) were from the 100th.
? Of 21 Medals of Honor, 8 (38%) were awarded to the 100th.
? Of 49 Distinguished Service Crosses (before MOH upgrade), 24 (49%) were awarded to the 100th.
? Of 371 Silver Stars, 147 (40%) were awarded to the 100th.
Isami Yoshihara
Honolulu