Japanese-Americans Were Vital to the WWII War Effort
Posted on December 4, 2016 by Katie Lange
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By Katie Lange
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, many Americans were distrusting and fearful of Japanese-Americans living in the U.S. Fearmongering led to many of those Japanese-Americans being barred from military service, with their draft status changing from “draft eligible” to “enemy alien.” About 110,000 of them were even relocated to internment camps all along the U.S. West Coast.
World War II veterans who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion toured a C-17 Globemaster III at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing hosted the tour. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kristen M. Higgins
World War II veterans who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion toured a C-17 Globemaster III at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing hosted the tour. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kristen M. Higgins
But many Japanese-Americans still wanted to fight for America, and despite many obstacles, they were eventually able to do so. Those brave soldiers – who weren’t widely appreciated at the time – are being honored during this week’s Pearl Harbor 75th anniversary commemorations in a ceremony called “Fighting Two Wars.”
Who Does This Event Honor?
Americans with Japanese ancestry were eventually able to overcome the mistrust and join four U.S. military units – the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which were segregated, as well as the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service.
Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in bivouac prior to moving to the front in France, Oct. 7, 1944. Army photo
Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in bivouac prior to moving to the front in France, Oct. 7, 1944. Army photo
How They Helped the War Effort
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2016/12/japanese-americans-were-vital-to-the-wwii-war-effort/
