How did Hawaii‘s first group of Nisei soldiers (who stood just 5 feet 4 inches tall and 125 pounds) from the 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II become one of the most decorated military units in history? from the United States?
With dogged tenacity and courage under fire, they fought to prove that being a loyal American had nothing to do with your size or race, said Kathi Hayashi, education chair and treasurer of the 100 Club, a veterans group. By 1944 they had earned the nickname “Purple Heart Battalion” after suffering a staggering number of casualties to defeat the enemy.
On June 29, the club will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the formation of the 100th on June 12, 1942. The segregated unit was made up of Nisei (second-generation Japanese) soldiers whose patriotism was questioned after the Japanese They bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941.
“We believe the story of the 100th is a story of Hawaiian heroes, not just a story their descendants can be proud of,” said Hayashi, whose late father, Tokuichi Hayashi, belonged to the battalion.
The proud legacy of the 100th must be carried on by young people who can be taught the values that made the battalion exemplary, such as silent perseverance (“gaman” in Japanese), a sense of duty or obligation (“giri”). ) and not embarrass anyone. the last name (“haji”), said Kathi Hayashi.
But in 2022 the club was on the verge of closing due to lack of interest and without any future generation willing to take on its mission. Fortunately, Hayashi was elected to the board that year and developed a Legacy2Action program for students to learn Soldier values and leadership skills while giving back to the community.
Challenged to identify a problem facing Hawaii and create a solution, more than 100 students participated this year, with support from co-sponsors Central Pacific Bank, the University of Hawaii Center on Aging and the ‘Iolani School . They worked on about 20 projects, such as fire ant control, stewardship of the Kukaniloko royal birthstones in Wahiawa, gender inequality and food insecurity.
“I’m proud to say that we now have a lot of interest and a lot of young people who want to learn about the 100th and why they, along with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, were the most decorated in U.S. military history.” .”, said. saying.
This year, the 100 Club has “adopted” student Shane Kaneshiro, a Legacy2Action participant for the past three years, Hayashi said. As editor of The Pinion, McKinley High School’s student newspaper, Kaneshiro has demonstrated a passion for preserving Nisei heritage in many ways.
“My generation, like my friends and classmates, don’t know any of these stories. If I ask you about 100 and 442, you have no idea what it is. … They don’t even know who Daniel Inouye is,” he said, pointing to the late U.S. senator who lost his arm in Italy while fighting with the 442nd. “They don’t even know about these famous people who helped change Hawaii,” he said, referring to the political and economic advances made by Nisei veterans after returning from the war.
Of all the values exemplified by Nisei veterans, he is most inspired by their ability “to persevere with patience and dignity. You have to persevere through difficulties, sometimes in silence. … Don’t complain, just work hard.” It’s a quality Kaneshiro can relate to through his own struggle with learning disabilities when he became a reporter and then editor of his school newspaper.
Kaneshiro, now a senior, won journalism awards, became an advocate for his school and veterans, and was a member of the Junior ROTC for four years. His goal is to become a historian at the Hawaii State Archives.
Kaneshiro has interviewed several Nisei veterans of World War II since 2022 as part of projects sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Nisei Veterans Legacy and other media.
An interview with Dr. Takashi Manago a while ago turned into a friendship that has extended to include Kaneshiro’s close-knit family. The retired Honolulu dentist, now 100 years old, is one of 10 known 100th veterans living today. Although Manago is hard of hearing and needs help communicating through his daughter, Kaneshiro has enjoyed talking for hours about Manago’s war experiences. He has sewn Manago a red, white and blue duvet cover and pillow as a token of affection.
Originally from Captain Cook on the Big Island, Manago said he served toward the end of the war, from 1944 to 1948, but was on the front line for only about four weeks as a stretcher bearer in Livorno, Italy, carrying the wounded to safety during the night as bombs and bullets exploded around them.
“I had no difficult times,” he said repeatedly, compared to those who fought in the crucial months-long battle at Monte Cassino in 1944. He spoke at length about “the original 100 boys, the veterans,” who suffered brutal casualties in defeating the Germans. who controlled the historic monastery atop a rocky hill.
“The Japanese boys went up the hill; The 100 guys did a good job. They were brave, they bet everything, that’s why I give a lot of credit to the number 100,” said Gesto.
Hayashi, a retired Verizon executive, said the harrowing Battle of Monte Cassino was where the 100th earned its nickname, the “Purple Heart Battalion,” and lost more than half of its soldiers. Because its strength was so depleted, in June 1944 the battalion was attached to the 442nd and redesignated the “100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.” Because of its outstanding record in military training and battle, the battalion was allowed to keep its “100” designation, he said.
“Members of the 100 Club believe that the 100th, formed in 1942, paved the way with its superior training record for the formation of the 442nd in March 1943 as an all-volunteer unit composed of two-thirds Hawaiian Nisei and a third of the continent”. Hayashi said. “Their subsequent unparalleled combat record demonstrated that the Nisei could be trusted in battle, which paved the way for the 442nd to join them in Italy,” Hayashi said.
Collectively, the units earned seven Presidential Distinguished Unit Citations, the highest unit award; 21 Medals of Honor; 29 Distinguished Service Crosses for individual achievements; more than 4,000 Purple Heart medals; and the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest civilian award given by the U.S. Congress, he said.
From a broader perspective, Hayashi said the 100th laid the foundation for future equality laws by demonstrating that they deserved the same rights as all Americans regardless of race, citing the desegregation of the military in 1948 and the Bill of Rights. Civilians of 1964.
INVOLVE
Learn more about the 100 Club’s 82nd anniversary banquet on June 29 at 520 Kamoku St., at 100thibv.org or by calling 808-946-0272.
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