‘Go For Broke’

As the 80th Anniversary of VE Day passes, the parades and celebrations will pass as well. A generation of veterans and civilians who lived through World War II is passing away.

After the surrender of German forces, the most decorated combat unit from the United States was the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team. During their fight in Europe, the letters they wrote to their families in the states were delivered to their families in Internment Camps in the American West.

The Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, volunteered to fight for a country and government that, without the benefit of a trial, imprisoned them and confiscated their businesses and homes.

The "Go For Broke" 442d Regimental Combat Team is still the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. Members of this World War II unit earned over 18,000 individual decorations including over 4,000 Purple Hearts, and 21 Medals of Honor. The Combat Team earned five Presidential Citations in 20 days of Rhineland fighting, the only military unit ever to claim that achievement. General of the Army George C. Marshall praised the team saying, "they were superb: the men of the 100/442d... showed rare courage and tremendous fighting spirit... everybody wanted them." General Mark W. Clark (Fifth Army) said, "these are some the best... fighters in the U.S. Army. If you have more, send them over."