Source: Puka Puka Parade, November 1947, Vol. 2 No. 8
Description: The French and American government attend the dedication of a monument in Bruyères, France, honoring the Japanese American soldiers of the 100th/442nd.
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.”
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This article was originally published by Club 100 in its Puka Puka Parade newsletter. The content reflects the author’s personal opinions, perspectives, and information known to them at the time.
This publication is available through eVols, the open-access digital institutional repository of the University of Hawaiʻi (https://hdl.handle.net/10524/11835)