Posted on Nov 11, 2015
The most decorated unit in American military history deserves recognition in a postage stamp, don't they?
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Although America imprisoned their families in detention camps in the wilderness, Japanese Americans fought gallantly for their nation. Originally seen as expendable, the combined 100th/442nd would defy all odds and become the most decorated unit in US military history for its size and length of service. The 33,000 members who served during WWII earned more than 18,000 decorations, 9,486 Purple Hearts and 21 Medals of Honor.
http://theydeserveastamp.org/
http://theydeserveastamp.org/
Honor
Awards
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
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A lot more than a stamp.
I had the privilege of taking a graduate seminar on US-Japanese relations from 1945 to present (1999 at the time) for my MA in Asian Studies. There was an older Japanese-American man in the class who said very little, asked a few questions, wrote well and was generally a very nice guy.
Late in the semester we covered reparations to people interned at the camps, and the teacher introduced this particular student who then taught that portion of the class covering the struggle for recognition and reparations.
He was a veteran of the 442nd, twice wounded and served until the end of the war. He also reenlisted in 1950 and volunteered for Korea. His only disappointment was that the army wouldn't take him in 1968 because at 46 he was too old.
He got a lot more than a stamp. He got the respect of his entire country, and of the peoples of Italy, France, Germany and South Korea as well.
I had the privilege of taking a graduate seminar on US-Japanese relations from 1945 to present (1999 at the time) for my MA in Asian Studies. There was an older Japanese-American man in the class who said very little, asked a few questions, wrote well and was generally a very nice guy.
Late in the semester we covered reparations to people interned at the camps, and the teacher introduced this particular student who then taught that portion of the class covering the struggle for recognition and reparations.
He was a veteran of the 442nd, twice wounded and served until the end of the war. He also reenlisted in 1950 and volunteered for Korea. His only disappointment was that the army wouldn't take him in 1968 because at 46 he was too old.
He got a lot more than a stamp. He got the respect of his entire country, and of the peoples of Italy, France, Germany and South Korea as well.
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We will not treat you as full citizens but the African Americans, Japanese Americans, and Native Americans can die for us.
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COL Ted Mc
CPT Jack Durish - Captain; Although things have changed, I was startled to learn that (when I joined) members of America's Northern Neighbour's military were accorded "full adult rights" (at least on base) and had the right to vote federally regardless of their age.
I always thought that that was a good idea.
PS - I've done some work with the 442nd and found them to be absolutely great people (provided that you can stand being around people who make Arnold Schwarzenegger look small [if you've ever worked with Samoans, you know what I mean])
I always thought that that was a good idea.
PS - I've done some work with the 442nd and found them to be absolutely great people (provided that you can stand being around people who make Arnold Schwarzenegger look small [if you've ever worked with Samoans, you know what I mean])
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CPT Jack Durish
COL Ted Mc - Absolutely. Anyone old enough to bleed and die for their country... No, make that anyone who enlists to bleed and die for their country has taken the full responsibilities of citizenship and should enjoy the full rights and privileges of citizenship.
And, yes, I've had the pleasure of associating with Samoans. However, among them was a Samoan woman with direct lineage to the hereditary chiefs of Samoa who was very diminutive, below 5' in height, which really surprised me.
And, yes, I've had the pleasure of associating with Samoans. However, among them was a Samoan woman with direct lineage to the hereditary chiefs of Samoa who was very diminutive, below 5' in height, which really surprised me.
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