Posted on: Friday, September 17, 2004

ISLAND VOICES

By Joseph J. Chaves

As the commanding general of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade (SIB), I'd like to set the record straight regarding the recent news reports about the soldier sleeve insignia, that is, the "unit patch" worn by the members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.

On July 20, I met with the command and staff of 5th Army. The 5th Army is the 29th SIB's higher headquarters during our training at Fort Bliss, Texas. At this meeting, I announced that it was my intent for every unit in the brigade to wear the 29th SIB's soldier sleeve insignia — with the exception of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment. It was my belief at the time that the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment was authorized by special authority to wear their unique shoulder sleeve insignia.

On July 27, I was informed by the senior leadership of the 5th Army that allowing the soldiers of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, to wear their soldier sleeve insignia did not conform to Army regulations. It was further suggested that I follow those regulations. I informed 5th Army's leadership that I would provide documentation demonstrating that the members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment, were allowed to wear their unique shoulder sleeve insignia. I promised to comply with Army regulations if I could not provide documentation to this effect.

The matter was researched, and a memorandum dated Oct. 20, 1955, was located which indicates that wearing the 442nd's shoulder sleeve insignia was approved to encourage esprit de corps and to encourage former members to join the reserves. Similar official correspondence dated Jan. 16, 1956, authorizes members of the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry to wear the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 442nd Infantry Regiment.

However, a further review of Army regulations revealed that the members of a separate brigade, such as the 29th SIB, must wear the shoulder sleeve insignia of the brigade to which they are assigned. As a result of this finding, I made the decision to comply with Army regulations regarding the wear of the shoulder sleeve insignia.

On Aug. 20, I met with the soldiers of the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry, and explained the chronology of events that had led to my decision that they wear the 29th SIB's shoulder sleeve insignia. It was my intent to be upfront with the battalion so that the shoulder sleeve insignia would not become a training distraction as we prepare for combat. Though the soldiers were very disappointed, their response was professional and supportive of my decision.

There have been reports in the press that have intimated that it was an arbitrary decision on my part to have the members of the 100th Battalion 442nd Regiment wear the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 29th SIB. While I accept responsibility for this decision, I'd like to make the circumstances under which this decision was made clear. A key issue that I feel has been overlooked is the fact that the colors of the 100th Battalion 442nd Regiment, which are imbued with the traditions of honor, sacrifice and courage under fire — are the same colors that will fly proudly in the deserts of Iraq.

On Sept. 4, after a photo session that included the Army chief of staff, Gen. Peter Schoomaker, as well as Medal of Honor recipients Shizuya Hayashi and Barney Hajiro, I was informed by Gen. Schoomaker that he would support whatever decision I make regarding the wearing of the 442nd's shoulder sleeve insignia. Mr. Hayashi had raised the issue with Gen. Schoomaker.

After the photo session, I assured both Medal of Honor recipients that I would support their request to have the soldiers of the 100th Battalion 442nd Regiment wear their shoulder sleeve insignia as I had now been granted the authority to make that decision.

The 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, also known as the "Lava Brigade Combat Team," is an army of one. Since our activation on Aug. 16 for a combat tour in Iraq, we no longer consider ourselves as "guardsmen" or "reservists." Rather, we are part of the Army team. As a team of professional soldiers and warriors, our mission is to defeat the adversaries of today as we prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

Joseph J. Chaves, brigadier general, U.S. Army, is commander of the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade.