On this first day of #AsianHeritageMonth , I’m thinking of the 442nd RCT — a segregated World War II unit made up entirely of Americans of Japanese ancestry.

At the time, Japanese Americans, known as Nisei, couldn’t enlist in the armed forces, and hundreds of thousands of them were relocated into internment camps out of distrust. Despite this, many still wanted to serve.

They were eventually able to do so through the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, the Military Intelligence Service, and the 442nd RCT — which became the most decorated military unit of its size and length of service.

The 442nd RCT fought so well that, in September 1944, they were reassigned to the invasion of southern France under the 7th Army and took part in the drive into the Vosges Mountains. They liberated Bruyeres and Biffontaine, and rescued a battalion cut off from its division.

For their heroic actions in combat and steadfast loyalty in the face of ethnic discrimination, more than 450 Japanese American soldiers of World War II were honored in December 2011 with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award for service given out by the U.S.

You can learn more about the 442nd RCT, as well as other stories of great service by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, on our Spotlight page: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Asian-American-Pacific-Islander-Heritage-Month/