Posted on: Sunday, June 17, 2007

Reader tributes to the 100th Battalion

Advertiser Staff

The men who started it all — the nation's first nisei warriors — not only defeated the enemy in World War II but prejudice as well. Now up in years, the storied veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion are celebrating their 65th anniversary, intent on seeing that their legacy of courage and service is not forgotten. Share your memories and stories below.

[Posted on May 6, 2008 at 2:39 pm HST]
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[Posted on February 20, 2008 at 7:03 am HST]
My deepest appreciation to the 100/442nd. Your bravery, in spite of America's racism, will always be remembered. My father, Matthew Spiegel, led his troops that followed the 442nd in the field. My Dad said they were the BRAVEST soldiers he had ever seen! Thank you for being there when we needed you the most. And I apologize for when America was not there for you. Pacem.
Edwyna Spiegel
Washington State

[Posted on November 25, 2007 at 7:46 am HST]
One Puka Puka, how can we ever forget what you have done for us, all that your sacrifice has won for us. Long after the last of you has fallen, be assured we will honor and remember your courage. "GO FOR BROKE"
Rodney Kaneshiro
Honolulu

[Posted on September 18, 2007 at 2:23 pm HST]
Thank you to all of the 100th/442nd and their families. Thank you Advertiser for the articles and opportunity for us to pay tribute. My grandfather's brother, Kenneth Kenkichi Teruya, served as a 2nd Lt in the 100th Infantry Battalion, Company D. He was killed near Anzio apparently on the first day of the breakout push to Rome (June 2, 1944). I think of him often and am thankful for his and all his comrades sacrifices. As he had not married nor had children, in many ways I feel I am a direct beneficiary of his sacrifice and have a primary responsibility to his memory. I have many of his pictures from the war, but know little details. If anyone knows stories about Uncle Ken, please post them. Mahalo.
Matt Stevenson
Kamuela, HI

[Posted on September 3, 2007 at 2:07 pm HST]
May the proud American legacy of the 100th and 442nd live on! Help us in a nationwide campaign to honor them with a U.S. commemorative postage stamp. As a sansei AJA, I am proud to call upon their stories as part of my heritage. Our generation, and the yonsei and gosei next to us, have an obligation to remember what the members of the 100th, 442nd, and MIS did. Help us campaign to forever honor what they accomplished through commemoration in a U.S. stamp, similar to the one to honor Duke Kahanamoku. Go to www.NiseiStamp.org for more info. Let's "go for broke" for the veterans in this effort!
Wayne Osako
Orange County, CA

[Posted on July 18, 2007 at 10:41 am HST]
I'm glad that the veterans of the 100th/442nd have been honored! I just looked at this page to see something else and saw this! My father(Harry) was a member of the 442nd and moved to the 100th(Company C)! I never really talked with him about being over there, but I wish I had! He has passed some years now! He did talk about some things over there, but they were far & few between! He was in infantry, until they found out he had 3 kids back home, then made him a cook. He did say that on one occasion he was cooking and a shell landed in their stove area. It hit a bag of flour and another cook who was there was covered in flour looking like a ghost! He said it was a funny moment, even though they were almost killed.All family members who still have surving 442nd/100th talk with them!
Bruce Iwafuchi
Castro Valley, CA.

[Posted on June 30, 2007 at 5:55 pm HST]
I had the privilege to read the message form the Mayor of Bruyeres to the 100th veterans for the 65th anniversary. I just want the people of Hawaii to know that the 100th as well as the 442nd will never be forgotten in Bruyeres France. I wrote their story and their relationship with the people of France in my book "US Samurais in Bruyeres" available at the Fort de Russy Army Museum. My new book will come at authorhouse.com under the title of "Dachau, Holocaust and US Samurais" and recall the story of the 522nd Field Artillery and tell the proof that the Niseis were the first in Dachau Germany at the gate of the first Nazi concentration camp, the day before the liberation: an untold story. Come see ma at Fort de Russy Army Museum from 10 am to 4 pm everyday of July. Go for broke
Pierre Moulin
Bruyeres France

[Posted on June 25, 2007 at 2:23 am HST]
I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and knowing Mikio ( Mike } Takahashi (HeadquartersCo.-100thBn) before he passed. I also was honored to be allowed to go with his family to the 61st Reunion Luncheon though Mike was hospitalized at the time from a stroke. Mike and all the rest of the 100th Bn are heroes that need to be put forth as examples of the BEST what this country is. Selfless sacrifice for a country that had not shown them and their families yet what America is truly about. They had to show the people of this country what the country stands for and symbolizes. Freedom. I can never thank these heroes enough. The men of the 100th Bn and the 442nd are unique and a situation such as theirs will never exist again in this country. Again, I am honored and humbled by knowing Mike.
Michael Woerner
Pearl City

[Posted on June 20, 2007 at 9:07 pm HST]
As a 3rd generation AJA and a resident of Hawaii, I would like to say thank you to all of the 100th/442nd veterans and to the families of those who didn't make it back. The sacrifices that you made, the bravery that you displayed, and the prejudices that you endured are the stuff of legend. Everything that has been acclomplished or achieved by the generations that followed have been done while standing on the shoulders of these fine men. Thier generation has been called "The Greatest Generation". If that is truly the case, then 100th/442nd should be considered "The Greatest of the Greatest Generation". I know that they don't have to worry about thier story ever being forgotten as thier legacy will live on forever in all of us.
Gary S
Mililani, Hawaii

[Posted on June 20, 2007 at 10:34 am HST]
Just wanted to send regards to the Veterans of the 100th/442nd. I am the son of a T-Patcher who fought through Italy and France. Thanks
Bob K
delaware

[Posted on June 20, 2007 at 6:07 am HST]
okage sama de (because of you). doomo arigato gozaimasu. thank you to the veterans of the 100th/442nd Infantry Battalion who fought so courageously in WWII.
mitsue
hawaii

[Posted on June 20, 2007 at 12:39 am HST]
My grandfather is an active member of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Club. He will be featured in Friday's issue. I have very fond memories of the Clubhouse, Baker Chapter events, and I always love to listen to Grandpa's stories about France and Italy. I hope others will learn more about their historic and heroic efforts while they are still around to tell their exciting & interesting stories. Watch KHON2 on Friday in the morning newscast.
carolee
Hawaii

[Posted on June 19, 2007 at 11:40 pm HST]
Go For Broke. I am a life member of the Go For Broke Association. I served in HHC 100/442 at Ft Derussy, I was part of the honor guard at the dedication of the room in Ft Derussy Museum. My family is from Italy, I remember my mother telling how she saw a group of oriental soldiers walking down the road. She said she had never saw any thing like it before. She thinks they were on the way to Cassino. It was a honor to serve in Hawaii and to give back to this country what they did for hers. We have a picture on the wall remembering the battle for the Lost Battalion and I carry my Go For Broke card with me every day. Mahalo SFC Tony Difante (guido)
tony difante
Australia

[Posted on June 19, 2007 at 7:13 pm HST]
My father Saburo never really shared his experiences of serving with I Company/442nd. Though he has passed on, I am greatful that other 442nd/100th members are sharing their stories with all of us. Their selfless actions are legendary, and have ensured that later generations have the full acceptance as Americans. Let us never forget what they have accomplished. Thank you Dad, and all the Uncles... Happy belated Father's Day!!!
Miles Itakura
Honolulu

[Posted on June 19, 2007 at 12:22 pm HST]
Gen. Lee and the others above have said it beautifully: Well done hero neighbors. You hsve shown the best of human nature, and make all Hawaii people proud of you. You are part of history anf will be remembered with awe for generations to come. Mahalo especially for reporting what you saw of the Holocaust, that some are very eager to deny. We honor you 442 & 100th Veterans!!
Cloudia & Thomas Charters
Waikiki

[Posted on June 18, 2007 at 8:47 pm HST]
Congratulations and mahalo to the one-puka-puka Go For Broke soldiers on your 65th Anniversay. Mahalo for your bravery and patriotism during WWII and continuing the fight for equality when you returned home. Your exploits have allowed Asian Americans soldiers that followed you to make it to General. You have changed the Army and our society for the better. Mahalo Nui Loa! Bob Lee (Former Commander, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry)
Maj Gen Robert Lee
Aiea, HI

[Posted on June 18, 2007 at 7:45 am HST]
My brother Hisashi was an original member of the 100th serving in Company A. He never spoke much about the war but did relate the incident when he and his buddy got wounded by shrapnel in Italy. Both of them looked at the other, covered with blood, and thought he wasn't going to make it. Later, they were so happy to see each other alive in the field hospital. 10 years ago, when I worked in Japan, a young black woman engineer noticed my calendar which honored the 100th/442nd. She said her granddad who served in Italy in all-black outfit told her he and his fellow soldiers were totally amazed that the nisei soldiers would fight so heroically after being badly mistreated by their own country. To the men of the 100th, thank you for making America to live up to its ideals.
Isami Yoshihara
Honolulu, HI

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 4:52 pm HST]
I salute you my brothers` of Hawaii because you all had to endure alot of obstacles during those times. Thank you very much for the sacriface, cause now we can travel freely within this great county we call America Mahalo Nui Loa and Happy Father's Day . A Loco boy living in Ohio.Jr Gu ting
Claudio A Guting (JR)
Lorain, Ohio

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 4:30 pm HST]
The men of the 100th were not the largest American soldiers. Humorous tales of oversized uniform were common. Despite their size, whenever I am privileged to stand among them, I stand taller, straighter, for I know I stand with giants. Thank you Uncle "Lefty". Thank you Uncle "Sa".
WIl Tanigawa
Volcano, HI

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 7:49 am HST]
Thank you for all that you have done for this country. You are all truly princes amongst men.
Patrice Collins
the building next door

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 7:06 am HST]
Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu , because of you, Hawaii was a great place. I never heard the stories growing up in Hawaii because you never bragged. But I have a collection of books about the 442nd. I missed a chance to go to Bruyeres, France last year with some of the members of the 442nd. I would've loved retracing your journey. Again Mahalo Nui Loa and a Happy Father's Day.
Merle Burge
Bluffton, South Carolina

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 6:32 am HST]
Because of your brave and patriotic actions we Japanese Americans have been able to have a better life. You won't be forgotten. God bless all of you.
Brian Miyake
Honolulu

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 6:30 am HST]
My uncle, Masanao Otake, sacifised his life trying to knock out a machine gun nest in Bryures France.He received every medal except the Medal of Honor.A hall was named after him at the old Ft.Derussy complex.I remember my grandmother showing me the medals and the American flag when I was about 7 years old.There was also a story of his heroics at the old museum at Ft. Shafter.I always felt that he deserved the Medal of Honor.There was a book written and actually mentioned his name and how he was ordered to take down the macnine gun nest knowing that it was a suicide mission.I always think of him and all the other men that sacificed their lives. I am 62years old and have always honored him through my thoughts. Aloha, Steve Otake
Stephen H Otake
7435 Ainanani Place

[Posted on June 17, 2007 at 4:48 am HST]
You served with dignity and honor. Job well done.
Admirer
US