Monument Dedicated at Bruyeres

Author: unknown
Puka Puka Parades, November 1947, vol. 2 no. 8

The French and American government met at Bruyeres to dedicate a monument to honor the WWII Japanese Americans who fought.

Just three years from the date of rescue of the “Lost Battalion”, representatives of the French and American Governments gathered at Bruyeres to dedicate a monument there to honor the World War II heroism of Americans of Japanese descent.

A special bronze plague was sent from New York to France for the dedication. Bearing the seal of the United States Army and carrying the message in both English and French, the inscription on the plague reads as follows:

“To the men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, who reaffirmed an historic truth here that loyalty to one’s country is not modified by racial origin.

These Americans, whose ancestors were Japanese, on October 30, 1944, during the battle of Bruyeres, broke the back-bone of the German defense and rescued the 141st Infantry Battalion which had been surrounded by the enemy for four days. Presented by the Japanese Citizens’ League.”