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442nd Infantry Regiment

Definition

An infantry regiment of the United States Army made up almost entirely of second-generation American soldiers of Japanese ancestry (Nisei) who fought in World War II. It is best known for its history as a fighting unit composed almost entirely of "Nisei" soldiers, second-generation Americans with Japanese parents.

Analogy

Imagine being part of a sports team where everyone doubts your loyalty and commitment because you share the same heritage as the opposing team. Despite this, you play harder and better than anyone else to prove them wrong - just like the 442nd Infantry Regiment did during WWII.

Related terms

Go For Broke: The motto of the 442nd Infantry Regiment which means to risk everything in order to achieve something important.

Medal Of Honor Recipients: The highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government. Many members from the 442nd received this honor for their extraordinary bravery during WWII.

100th Infantry Battalion: This was an earlier unit composed primarily of Nisei soldiers from Hawaii that later became part of the larger 442nd Infantry Regiment.