We extend our sincere gratitude to the Hawaiʻi State Archives for accepting the historic letters written by soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion to their first commanding officer, LTC Farrant L. Turner. We deeply appreciate their partnership in preserving and sharing the significance of the Turner letters and the enduring legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion. The original letters to LTC Turner were donated by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) to the Hawaiʻi State Archives, a division of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). An official handoff ceremony marking the transfer of ownership was held on March 20, 2026, at the Hawaiʻi State Archives. Speakers included Club 100 President Kathi Hayashi, State Archivist Dr. Adam Jansen, and Jay O. "Jot" Turner and Rev. David Baumgart Turner, grandsons of Lt. Colonel Farrant L. Turner. Also in attendance were members of the Club 100 Board of Directors and Hawaiʻi State Archives staff. Turner Letters ceremony at the Hawai‘i State Archives, held on March 20. [Front row: Dr. Eric Tsukamoto (Treasurer, Club 100), Joyce Doi (2nd VP, Club 100), Jan Sakoda (Secretary, Club 100), Kathi Hayashi (President, Club 100)]; Back row: Dr. Adam Jansen (State Archivist, Hawai‘i State Archives), and Jay O. "Jot" Turner and Rev. David Baumgart Turner, grandsons of Lt. Colonel Farrant L. Turner. [ Photo courtesy: DAGS - Hawai’i State Archives ]  Jot Turner, grandson of LTC Turner, expressed his support for the donation, stating: “Today, these letters become a treasure for the State of Hawaiʻi. They are primary sources written from tents on the ground in Italy and France, sharing day-to-day experiences of the 100th Battalion soldiers. They reflect aspirations, dreams, and a deep pride in serving as Americans defending our nation. They remind us that we are all Americans, regardless of our ethnicity.” LTC Farrant L. Turner, addressing members of the 100th Infantry Battalion upon their return to Hawaiʻi in August 1944, after 18 months away from the islands for training and combat service in the United States Army. Most in the group had been wounded in action and had returned for furlough and reassignment. [ Photo courtesy: DAGS - Hawai‘i State Archives ] State Archivist Dr. Adam Jansen emphasized the historical importance of the collection and thanked Club 100 for entrusting the State Archives with its care: “For being such a small volume, this is a monumental piece of Hawaiʻi’s history that must never be forgotten.” He pointed to the letters and continued: “This is what it means to be an American. We will preserve their voices from now until the end of time so that people everywhere can learn what it means to be true, to be faithful, and to uphold honor, dignity, and integrity in the face of unimaginable opposition—both at home and abroad.” During the ceremony, Dr. Jansen also surprised attendees by announcing that he is allowed one submission to the America250 initiative, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States — and that the Turner letters will be his official submission. He explained that the initiative seeks to answer the question, “What does it mean to be America?” and shared: “THIS is our contribution. Honor. Duty. Sacrifice. Patriotism. THIS is what it means to be an American.” Club 100 felt that these letters to LTC Farrant Turner should be housed with the Hawaiʻi State Archives, under the careful watch of Dr. Jansen, to ensure their long-term preservation in a secure, climate-controlled environment, where irreplaceable records of Hawaiʻi’s history are protected and accessible to future generations. By entrusting the Archives, we hope these letters will reach a wider audience and share their profound “ mana ” — the spiritual energy carried through each handwritten word. They will feel the love and trust between a Caucasian commanding officer and his soldiers of Japanese ancestry, and how the 100th fought against tyranny and proved loyal Americans come in all colors and deserve equal rights. Handover ceremony of letters written to Lt. Col. Farrant L. Turner from Club 100 to the Hawai‘i State Archives. [ Courtesy of: DAGS - Hawai‘i State Archives ] To read more about the ceremony, please visit: DAGS Receives Rare, Important War History Artifacts . Media Coverage: "100th Battalion correspondence from WWII era to be digitized" - By Kevin Knodell Honolulu Star-Advertiser Newspaper; A1/A6 (April 4, 2026) [ Click to Read ] Club 100 donates World War II letters of Lt. Col. Farrant Turner to state  (courtesy of KITV4 Island News): Club 100 donates significant military artifacts to Hawaii State Archives (courtesy of KITV4 Island News): LTC Farrant L. Turner [Photo courtesy: Bert Turner ] Letters to Lt. Col. Farrant L. Turner: View the Turner Letter collection, housed on our 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center website, consisting of 111 letters written to LTC Farrant L. Turner in 1944 and 1945. Most of these letters were written by 100th Infantry Battalion officers and enlisted men who had been under his command.

Please contact the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center at info@100thbattalion.org for assistance with including the 100th Infantry Battalion in your publications or projects. The following is a list of suggested resources on the 100th Infantry Battalion. 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Puka Puka Parade Newsletter Online Resources Online Videos / Oral History Resources Online Articles / Books Books (Non-Fiction) Books (Youth / Historical Fiction) Other Resources 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center: https://www.100thbattalion.org/ Roll Call: Lists the names of all men recorded as having served with the 100th Infantry Battalion. https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/veterans/rollcall/ Battalion History: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/ Mainland Training: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/mainland-training/ Combat - Setting the Stage: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/european-campaigns/ 100th Infantry Battalion in Italy: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/european-campaigns/italy/ 100th Battalion in France: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/european-campaigns/france/ 100th Battalion Return to Italy: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/battalion-history/european-campaigns/return-to-italy/ 100th Infantry Battalion Soldier Photo Collections & Biographies https://www.100thbattalion.org/archives/photos/ Memoirs and Journals written by men who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion: https://www.100thbattalion.org/archives/memoirs-and-journals/ Medal of Honor Awardees: https://www.100thbattalion.org/history/veterans/medal-of-honor/medal-of-honor-awardees/ 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Puka Puka Parade Newsletter: Archives of what has been called the "club's organ" — First issued in April 1946 by the veteran members of Club 100, and in continuous publication since. Documents the post-war history of the organization, incorporated as Club 100 in December 1945, with articles written by the veterans, their wives and widows, family, and friends. https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10524/11830 Online Resources: Densho Encyclopedia: 100th Infantry Battalion https://encyclopedia.densho.org/100th%20Infantry%20Battalion University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library: Japanese American Veterans Collection The Japanese American Veterans Collection documents the history and legacy of Hawaiʻi‘s American soldiers of Japanese ancestry (AJA) and their families. The AJA men served with distinction during World War II as members of the Hawaiʻi National Guard, Hawaiʻi Territorial Guard, 100th Infantry Battalion, Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV), 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/library/research/collections/archives/manuscript-collections/japanese-american-veterans-collection/ Hawai‘i Herald Newspaper Online Archives The Hawaii Herald was an English-language newspaper that covered news, events, and activities of the Japanese American community in Hawaii. It was published from 1969 to 2023. The newspaper featured articles on the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and these articles can be found in its archives. https://hojishinbun.hoover.org/ja/newspapers/thh Sons & Daughters of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team Established in 1993 as a chapter of the 442nd Veterans Club, the Sons & Daughters of the 442nd RCT supports the veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), assists in the planning and implementation of various activities involving the 442nd RCT, and is committed to promoting the history of the 442nd RCT through education. When the 442nd RCT arrived in Italy, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) was attached to the regiment on June 11, 1944, serving the role of its 1st Battalion, then officially redesignated as the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry on August 10, 1944. The 100th had been in combat for over 10 months by that point, and a General Order was issued by General Mark Clark of the Fifth Army, to allow the unit to retain its “100th” numeral designation, due to its pioneering role as a Japanese-American battalion, and outstanding combat record. https://442sd.org/ Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) A fraternal and educational organization with many purposes: Preserving and strengthening comradeship among its members; Perpetuating the memory and history of our departed comrades; Educating the American public on the Japanese American experience during WWII; and Striving to obtain for veterans the full benefit of their entitlements as veterans. https://java-us.org/ JAVA Digital Archives Volunteers from the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA), based in Maryland, have been spending years at the NARA facility to identify archived documents about the Nisei soldiers during World War II. For the first ten years, the volunteers – Sus and Fumie Yamamoto and Maggie Ikeda – copied the documents. One set was sent to the 442nd Veterans Club in Honolulu and another to Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. With the encouragement of Ted Tsukiyama, a veteran of the 442nd and Military Intelligence Service, the 442nd Club supported JAVA’s efforts as it began to scan and catalog new documents that were discovered. A protocol for searches of key words has been established by the JAVA team. https://www.javadc.org/research%20archives.htm National Veterans Network A national organization whose mission is   to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to promote equality and justice. https://nvnvets.org/100th-infantry-battalion/ Go For Broke National Educational Center Its mission is to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. https://goforbroke.org/ The Nisei Soldier: Congressional Gold Medal https://cgm.smithsonianapa.org/ Online Videos / Oral History Resources: One Puka Puka: A 30th Anniversary Encore Presentation Produced, written and narrated by Bob Jones, this two-hour "One Puka Puka" documentary tells the story about the 100th Infantry Battalion, formed during World War II, initially made up largely by Nisei (second-generation) Americans of Japanese ancestry from Hawai‘i. Originally broadcasted 30 years ago (June 24, 1992) on KGMB in honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion’s 50th Anniversary, in 2022, the program was re-broadcasted by Hawai‘i News Now, in collaboration with the 100th Infantry Battalion’s 80th Anniversary Committee. It can be viewed online in its entirety on the Hawai‘i News Now website. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2022/06/17/one-puka-puka-th-anniversary-encore-presentation-2/ Densho Digital Repository https://densho.org/collections/oral-history/   Japanese American Military History Collective https://ndajams.omeka.net/   INCLUSION: How Hawaiʻi Protected its Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor (with Tom Coffman) Livestream Archive of May 11, 2022 event hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California with Tom Coffman in conversation with Robert Handa, a reporter for NBC Bay Area News. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDfes2OJLeA Go for Broke! ～ハワイ日系二世の記憶～Memories of Hawai'i Japanese Nisei (Directed by Hiroyuki Matsumoto 松元裕之) The film reflects on the history and experiences of Hawaiʻi born Japanese Americans (Nikkei Nisei), and includes interviews with 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), and Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veterans from Hawaiʻi. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/goforbrokenisei THE HAWAI'I NISEI STORY: Americans of Japanese Ancestry During WWII https://web.archive.org/web/20190523190347/http://nisei.hawaii.edu/page/100   Journey of Honor (by Stuart Yamane) https://youtu.be/gZqf6vK0NWM 100th Infantry Bn (Separate) and 442nd RCT in World War II Talk given by Jim McNaughton to the St. Martin’s Military History Club (February 8, 2022) https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2203981/uiconf_id/39997971/entry_id/1_zmnd5t1n/embed/dynamic Online Articles / Books: Remembrances: 100th Infantry Battalion, 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1942-1992.( Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) 100th Infantry Battalion Publication Committee; 1992. Written and published by Club 100 in commemoration of the 100th Infantry Battalion's 50th Anniversary in 1992. https://www.100thbattalion.org/archives/remembrances/ Hawaiʻi’s Legendary Battalion Reflections by Lyn Crost: Club 100 Honorary Member Lyn Crost was one of only a few women war correspondents in World War II, and the only one to cover the 100th and the 442nd exclusively . https://www.100thbattalion.org/archives/newspaper-articles/hawaii-herald/hawaiis-legendary-battalion/   In Freedom’s Cause: A Record of the Men of Hawaiʻi Who Died in the Second World War  by Dr. Thomas D. Murphy (Hawaiʻi War Records Committee); 1949.Short biographies of the 806 sons of Hawaii who made the supreme sacrifice in WWII. A Record of the Men of Hawaii Who Died in the Second ... - Thomas D. Murphy - Google Books   Senpai Gumi   by Richard Oguro; 1980. Story of first group of Americans of Japanese ancestry from Hawaiʻi and American Incarceration Camps to Attend Army Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota. https://www.100thbattalion.org/wp-content/uploads/Senpai-Gumi.pdf   Boys of Company B   by Richard Oguro (Steering Committee, Company B and others); 1981. A written collection of some of the veterans of Company B. https://www.100thbattalion.org/wp-content/uploads/Boys-of-Company-B.pdf When the Akimotos Went to War: An untold story of family, patriotism, and sacrifice during World War II by Matthew Elms (presented by The American Battle Monuments Commission); 2015. The story of brothers Victor Akimoto (Co. A, 100th Battalion, 442nd RCT) and John "Johnny" Akimoto (Co. C, 100th Infantry Battalion), who died in the war and are buried next to each other in Lorraine American Cemetery in France. https://www.abmc.gov/news-events/news/new-book-details-real-life-story-japanese-american-brothers-who-served-world-war-ii/ Books (Non-Fiction): Ambassadors in Arms: The Story of Hawaii's 100th Battalion .  by Dr. Thomas D. Murphy; 1954. Published in 1954 by the University of Hawaiʻi Press. Written by Dr. Thomas D. Murphy, professor of history at the University of Hawai‘i, as a complete historical account of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Dr. Murphy took five years of research, writing and rewriting to get the book in its final form, and the book was highly supported by members of the 100th Infantry Battalion veterans' club, Club 100, from the time of its publication. https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/ambassadors-in-arms-the-story-of-hawaiis-100th-battalion/ Japanese Eyes, American Heart: Personal Reflections of Hawaii’s World War II Nisei Soldiers . By Hawaii Nikkei History Editorial Board; 1998. Inclusion: How Hawai‘i Protected Japanese Americans from Mass Internment, Transformed Itself, and Changed America . By Tom Coffman; 2021. https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/inclusion-how-hawaii-protected-japanese-americans-from-mass-internment-transformed-itself-and-changed-america/ Honor by Fire: Japanese Americans at War in Europe and the Pacific . By Lyn Crost; 1994. Unlikely Liberators: The Men of the 100th and 442nd . By Masayo Umezawa Duus; 1987. Bridge of Love . By John Tsukano (100th Infantry Battalion; Co. D); 1985. Memoirs Of A Certain Nisei . By Thomas Taro Higa (100th Infantry Battalion, Co. A); 1989. Combat Chaplain: The Personal Story of the World War II Chaplain of the Japanese American 100th Battalion . By Israel A. S.Yost (Chaplain for the 100th Infantry Battalion); 2006. Hawaii’s Own, Picture Story of the 442nd Regiment, 100th Battalion and Interpreters . By Lawrence Nakatsuka (Author); Soji Morisawa (Illustrator); 1946. Just Americans: How Japanese Americans Won a War at Home and Abroad . By Robert Asahina; 2006. The Island Edge of America: A Political History of Hawaii . By Tom Coffman; 2003. Hawaii's War Years, 1941-1945 . By Gwenfread Allen; 1971. Sparky: Warrior, Peacemaker, Poet, Patriot . By Richard Halloran; 2002. A History of Service: The Central Pacific Bank Story, 1954-1994 . By Arnold Hiura; 1994. Boyhood to War: History and Anecdotes of the 442nd RCT . By Dorothy Matsuo; 1992. John A. Burns: The Man and His Times . By Dan Boylan and T. Michael Holmes; 2000. Books (Youth / Historical Fiction): Journey of Heroes: the Story of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team . By Stacey T. Hayashi (Writer); Damon Wong (Illustrator); 2012. Marie of Bruyères . By Carl B. Williams (Fiction; in English and French); 2019. The story of a little French girl who meets the Japanese-American soldiers who gave her back her freedom. Under the Blood-Red Sun . By Graham Salisbury (Fiction); 2014. Made into a move in 2014. House of the Red Fish . By Graham Salisbury (Fiction); 2014. Eyes of the Emperor . By Graham Salisbury (Fiction); 2014. A Question of Loyalty By Mike Malaghan (Fiction); 2020. Other Resources: Covenant Ballet of Brooklyn: The Nisei Project https://www.niseiproject.com/ Japanese Cultural Center Hawaii (JCCH) Historical Gallery and Resource Center https://www.jcch.com/gallery-tours

The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) was incorporated by the veterans in December 1945, in part, to perpetuate the identity of the 100th Infantry Battalion, develop and maintain appropriate records of its heroic achievements, and, as its Charter of Incorporation states, generally to do all lawful things that reasonably may assure that the sacrifices made in combat by the veterans and by their comrades who died on the field of battle in the cause of liberty and justice shall not have been made in vain . 100th Infantry Battalion veterans from the 1st Draft of December 1940, pose for a group photo at the 100th Inf Bn Veterans (Club 100) Clubhouse, 50 years later. [ Row 1 (L to R): Hideshi Niimi (C), Sonsei Nakamura (B), Ben T. Kobayashi (D), Masayoshi Kawamoto (C), Kentoku Nakasone (C), Kenzo Endo (C), Toshikatsu Nakahara (B), Hakaru Taoka (B), Walter Moriguchi (A), Takashi Kitaoka (B), and Ted T. Hirayama (B). Row 2 (L to R): Seiko Wallace Chinen (D), Masaru Harry Hirata (D), Akiyoshi Kuriyama (HQ), Robert Furuta (HQ), Yoshio Takenouchi (A), Masato Kodama (HQ), Toshio Kunimura (HQ), Kenneth T. Yoshiura (A), Satoshi Kashimoto (B), Isao Ishii (HQ), Mataki Takeshita (B), and Takeo Azama (B). Row 3 (L to R): Mikio Takahashi (HQ), Fred Takahashi (HQ), Richard Hara (D), Mitsuo Hamasu (A), Tetsuo Tateishi (A), Sakae Tanigawa (B), Hideo Kajikawa (HQ), Tadao Seo (A), Kaneichi Morimoto (B), Aketo Doi (HQ), and Masami Hamakado (B). Row 4 (L to R): Walter Inouye (Medics), Takeshi Tanaka (B), Michael Hamamoto (A), Jiro Matsui (A), Kiyoshi Jinnohara (B), Takeshi Nakagawa (A), Wataru Monkawa (A), Yasuo Takata (B), Hideo Yamashita (C), and Robert Kondo (D). Row 5 (L to R): Iwao Fujimori (D), Takao Kubota (C), Robert Toma, Seiso Kamishita (B), Saburo Inamasu (B), Kiyoto Mizushima (C), Roy Honbo (HQ), Roy Koda (B), Thomas Yabuki (B), and Masaru Tomasa (A). ] Today, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization continues to represent the men who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II, composed largely of Americans of Japanese ancestry from Hawai‘i. We strive to support initiatives to accurately portray the 100th Infantry Battalion in publications and projects, and appreciate the involvement and support from the community, to continue to ensure that the identity of the 100th Infantry Battalion is preserved, and its legacy honored. Essential Guide to the 100th Infantry Battalion We have put together the following essential guide to the 100th Infantry Battalion, based on the three questions that we have been asked most when working with various project teams and publications over the decades. #1: When were the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed? #2: When did the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team combine? #3: How many awards were earned by the 100th/442nd? When were the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team formed? The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was activated on June 12, 1942. Following the “Selective Training and Service Act of 1940” being signed into law in the United States in September 1940, the Hawai‘i National Guard units of the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments were activated and federalized under the U.S. Army command on October 15, 1940. The majority of these men were drafted , and about half of the men inducted in Hawai‘i were Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA). During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the men of the Hawai‘i National Guard were on duty, and protecting the shorelines.   In January 1942, the United States War Department reclassified Japanese Americans as IV-C, the Selective Service System category used for “enemy aliens,” making them ineligible for military induction. However, the AJA men who were already serving continued to carry out their orders to protect the people of Hawai‘i. 100th Inf Bn Unit History (NARA RG407-b21085) As a battle at Midway Island appeared likely, it was feared that Hawai‘i would become Japan's next target. On May 28, 1942, AJA men from the 298th and 299th Infantries, engineer battalions, activated reservists, and regular Army, were gathered at Schofield Barracks. The men were placed into a newly formed “Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion.” With the exception of a few Caucasian officers and about 20 men of Hawaiian and other Asian ethnicities (including those who were of mixed ethnicities), it was the first segregated Japanese American military unit. This newly formed Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion was to leave Hawai‘i on the first availabl e transport. The men were told that they were being sent somewhere on the mainland to train, and were ordered to keep the information secret from their families.   On June 5, 1942, these 1,432 officers and enlisted men boarded an old converted U.S. Army transport ship called the "Maui," and quietly departed Honolulu in much secrecy, during a time of uneasiness as the Battle of Midway commenced. There was no announcement of their departure in the newspapers or on the radio.   100th Inf Bn Activation (NARA RG407-b21085) The boat docked in Oakland, California, on June 12, 1942. There, the unit was officially activated and redesignated the “100th Infantry Battalion (Separate).” It was an “orphan battalion,” not assigned to any larger army unit. Under this name, the men of the 100th underwent 14 months of extensive military training in Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Louisiana from June 1942 until August 1943, as the government and military officials observed their performance while determining what to do with these AJA soldiers. From April 1943 through June 1943, the 100th was sent on advanced field maneuvers at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana. Through their performance, the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion demonstrated that they were fully qualified for combat. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was activated in 1943. In January 1943, largely due to the excellent record of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) during their extensive military training on the mainland, plus the service of the “Varsity Victory Volunteers” in Hawai‘i, the War Department announced plans to organize an all-volunteer Japanese American army unit . The Varsity Victory Volunteers in Hawai‘i requested the deactivation of their unit so its members could enlist in the new unit. The unit was named the “442nd Regimental Combat Team,” and its formation was approved on February 1, 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.   At the time, on the U.S. mainland, there were approximately 19,000 AJA men of military age in the incarceration camps and approximately 4,000 outside of the camps. In comparison, there were approximately 25,000 AJA men of military age in the Territory of Hawai‘i.   With the 1,432 men from Hawai‘i already serving in the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), the U.S. Army called for 1,500 AJA volunteers from Hawai‘i — around 10,000 responded. In comparison, a quota of 3,000 AJA volunteers was established on the mainland, but the response was only about 1,200 – an indication of how the mass incarceration of the Japanese American community on the mainland had influenced their enthusiasm to join the U.S. Army to fight for America. Eventually, the 442nd RCT was organized in March 1943 with about two-thirds (2/3) of the men inducted from Hawai‘i , and one-third (1/3) from the U.S. mainland.   On March 28, 1943, the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce sponsored a large farewell ceremony with over 15,000 spectators at ‘Iolani Palace, for the initial 2,686 AJA volunteers of the 442nd RCT from Hawai‘i. This was a stark contrast to the solemn manner in which the 1,432 men of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), then known as the Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion, had quietly departed in secrecy on June 5, 1942.   The men of the 442nd RCT from Hawai‘i departed on April 4, 1943 for Camp Shelby. The inductees from the mainland had already begun to arrive at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and the 442nd RCT began their basic training at Camp Shelby. While it is true that most of the mainland soldiers came from the incarceration camps, it must be remembered that Hawai‘i provided almost all of the soldiers in the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), as well as 2/3 of the soldiers in the original 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Fewer than 2,000 out of nearly 160,000 residents of Japanese descent in Hawai‘i were interned. _______________________________ When did the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team combine? The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was officially redesignated as the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry on August 10, 1944. The 100th Infantry Battalion first met up with the 442nd RCT upon its return to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, from advanced training in Louisiana. The men of the 442nd RCT had arrived at Camp Shelby while the 100th was away on maneuvers, and had begun basic training. 100th Infantry Battalion Colors with motto. On July 20, 1943, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) received its battalion colors, which included its Coat of Arms, motto “Remember Pearl Harbor,” and unit’s name, “One-Hundredth Infantry Battalion (Sep).” The 100th departed Camp Shelby by train on August 11, 1943, arriving in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, and was then transported by train, to New York. The 100th headed to Staten Island, boarded the “S.S. James Parker,” and began their 12-day voyage to Oran, Algeria in North Africa, on August 21, 1943. Attached to the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division (ID), commanded by Major General Charles W. Ryder in Oran , the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 34th Infantry Division sailed together to Italy on September 19, 1943, landing at Salerno. The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) became the first AJA (Americans of Japanese ancestry) World War II unit to engage in combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern theater. It headed into combat on the night of September 26, 1943, carrying out its orders in pursuit of retreating German forces through muddy terrain and rain. Together with the 34th ID, the men fought their way north through the tough battles of the Naples-Foggia, Anzio, and Rome-Arno campaigns, and suffered tremendous casualties. The 100th landed in Salerno in September 1943 with about 1,300 men, but by the end of February 1944, its effective strength was reported to be about 460 men. Selective Service reinstitution for Japanese Americans. Having been depleted by the transfer of men to the other companies due to the tremendous number of casualties suffered by the 100th Infantry Battalion, Companies E and F were officially inactivated by mid-December 1943. In January 1944, the first group of officers and enlisted men from the 442nd RCT was transferred to be replacements in the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), and a second and third group followed. These replacements joined the 100th Infantry Battalion in March to May 1944. With a growing need for manpower for the segregated units of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) and 442nd RCT, Selective Service induction of AJA resumed in January 1944. With this, the U.S.-born Nisei and Sansei AJA were no longer labelled "enemy aliens," and were considered suitable to be drafted into military service and engage in combat. When the 442nd RCT arrived in Italy, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) was attached to the regiment on June 11, 1944, serving the role of its 1st Battalion. The unit was officially redesignated as the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry on August 10, 1944. Redesignation to 100th Bn, 442nd Infantry (Aug 1944). Memo from Asst. Sec. of War John McCloy, regarding retaining of 100th unit designation. The 100th had been in combat for over 10 months by that point, and a General Order was issued by the Fifth Army, to allow the unit to retain its “100th” numeric designation, due to its pioneering role as a Japanese American battalion, and outstanding combat record. _______________________________ How many awards were earned by the 100th/442nd? The 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) and 442nd Regimental Combat Team (including the 100th Bn) were awarded over 4,000 Purple Heart Medals. At war's end, the 100th Infantry Battalion was recorded to have been awarded 1,703 Purple Heart medals. Though at times, the 100th/442nd has been noted to have earned 9,485 Purple Hearts, this number incorrectly includes over 5,000 non-battle casualties such as frostbite, trench foot, and illnesses. The correct Purple Heart medals count is over 4,000 which is consistent with the Battle Casualties provided by the U.S. Army Mediterranean Theater of Operations Information-Education Section. The Story of the 442nd Combat Team, Composed of: 442nd Infantry Regiment, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, 232nd Combat Engineer Company, 1945. ( http://the442.org/442ndfacts.html ). Major organizations and websites with a focus on the Japanese American units and history, all recognize and use the corrected over 4,000 Purple Hearts figure. Together with the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team is recognized as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service, in U.S. military history. Percentage in the 100th Inf Bn who died prior to its redesignation to the 442nd RCT. The 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) fought in combat from September 1943 to June 1944, for nearly 9 months before the 442nd RCT arrived in Italy. Since the decorations and awards that the 100th earned prior to its redesignation as the 100th Bn, 442nd Inf in August 1944 are included in the totals of the 442nd RCT, it Number of AJAs who died in WWII by "Hometown" is only proper to state that the 442nd RCT, including the 100th Infantry Battalion , is considered one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history. From 1941 to 1946, about 10,000 men are recorded as having served in the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT. For a comprehensive listing of statistics, awards, and decorations of the 100th/442nd, please visit our References page here: https://www.100thibv.org/post/100th-infantry-battalion-references _______________________________ Still have questions? Please visit our 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center online at https://www.100thbattalion.org/ for our extensive collection of photos, memoirs, articles, and information on the 100th Infantry Battalion. For further questions on research on the 100th Infantry Battalion, please contact our 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Clubhouse office at (808) 946-0272 or info@100thibv.org

Story of the 100th Infantry Battalion: One Puka Puka Leads the Way Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American Soldiers in World War II — and How They Changed the World    Thank you for taking the time to learn about the American of Japanese ancestry (AJA) men who were born into laborer families in Hawaiʻi and lived their destiny to achieve worldwide recognition as the 100th Infantry Battalion. These men received thousands of awards and recognition for outstanding performance of duty in action, military valor, great courage in the face of danger having been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action, and other noteworthy acts of military service and personal accomplishments. Among the numerous unit and individual awards received by the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II, are seven Distinguished Unit Citations (redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation), which is the highest award a unit can receive for performing a mission; 21 Medals of Honor, which is the nation's highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces; 29 Distinguished Service Crosses for individual achievement; more than 4,000 Purple Heart medals; and the Congressional Gold Medal award, which is the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The 100th Infantry Battalion, with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) became one of the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service. The 100th Infantry Battalion, which would lead to the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), is uniquely called “ One Puka Puka ," giving a nod to their Hawaiʻi roots, since “ puka ” in Hawaiian means hole, which resembles a zero.   These American of Japanese ancestry (AJA) soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion were born in Hawaiʻi in the early 1900s to parents from Japan who had immigrated to Hawaiʻi, largely to work in the sugar plantations. The immigrants, who started to arrive in 1868, are referred to as “Issei” (first generation), and their children are called “Nisei” (second generation). The Issei worked hard for meager wages, yet overall, they were content as they built new lives for themselves in a foreign land.   Tokuichi Hayashi (back row, far right), original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, with Issei parents and family. When the Nisei were born, Hawaiʻi was a territory of the United States of America and would not become a state until 1959. The Nisei went to local schools where lessons were taught in English, yet returned to homes where their parents spoke in Japanese and practiced Japanese values. They also had many friends who were from other racial and ethnic groups, including native Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, and Portuguese. They had a purposeful and happy life living in peace and aloha with the different cultures, speaking a unique language called, “Pidgin English,” developed from a mixture of words from the different languages spoken in Hawaiʻi.   In the late 1930s, war clouds started to gather in Europe and in Asia. In July 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded China, leading to fears in Hawaiʻi that the islands could suffer a similar attack. This prompted the United States to activate and federalize the Hawaiʻi National Guard units of the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments under U.S. Army command in 1940, while also initiating a Selective Service draft to defend the shorelines from a potential invasion by the Japanese military. The Hawaiʻi National Guard was comprised of a multi-ethnic group that was trained and serving before Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. Second Draft Inductees (March 24, 1941), with Masanobu Eugene Kawakami, original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, pictured second from the left in sunglasses and hat. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, M. Eugene Kawakami (A) Collection] After the Pearl Harbor bombing, the U.S. War Department feared that, should Japan attack Hawaiʻi again, the AJA would choose to side with their parents’ homeland. Thus, in the frenzy of that wartime hysteria, in May 1942, the AJA were removed from their multi-ethnic units and segregated into a separate AJA unit, where they could be easily controlled and scrutinized. The Nisei were suspected of being spies by both their birth country of America, and their parents’ birth country of Japan. The AJA felt angry and frustrated, being stuck in the middle and distrusted by both sides.   Designated the "Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion," the unit was secretly shipped from Honolulu on June 5, 1942 to Oakland, California in a U.S. Army transport ship. The men followed orders to keep their departure a secret, leaving without being able to say goodbye to their families nor allow the community a chance to wish them farewell. For those who would later be killed in action, their family and friends did not have a chance to see them one more time before they would die in combat.   It was a scary and sad departure for these Hawaiʻi-born AJA. Most had never left their island home and because there was no communication on where they were going, fear shrouded the ship as rumors flew about that they might be going to a concentration camp. Many worried about the well-being of their families in Hawaiʻi in the event of another attack.   How could their beautiful and peaceful life change overnight with the bombing of Pearl Harbor?   With quiet perseverance, or gaman , they managed to carry on, despite all the injustice of being accused of disloyalty with no evidence, and of being called derogatory names like “Japs,” just for looking like the Japan-born enemy who had bombed Pearl Harbor. They knew in their hearts that they were loyal Americans and that truth would one day prevail. Through their actions, they would prove that every American deserves equal rights, and that no person should be judged based on the color of his or her skin.   As the men of the soon-to-be renamed 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) left the Hawaiian shorelines, the Issei and Nisei remaining on the islands lived in unease after being labeled “enemy aliens,” and they were also disappointed and angry. They could not believe that Japan would execute a surprise attack without any declaration of war. Due to the significant presence of Issei, Nisei, and even Sansei (children of Nisei born in the U.S.) in Hawaiʻi's working class and their enthusiastic voluntary contributions to the American war effort, and the support from an ethnically-diverse local community — including from civilian police, the FBI, and military institutions who advocated for the local Japanese American community — there was no widespread incarceration of AJAs in Hawaiʻi. Unfortunately, however, some Issei and Nisei who were seen as leaders who might potentially agitate anti-U.S. sentiments, were sent to incarceration facilities in both Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.   On the mainland, Issei and AJAs (born U.S. citizens) were also under extreme suspicion due to their ethnicity and perceived risk to national security. With President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, about 120,000 were moved away from the western coastlines of the continental U.S. and incarcerated against their civil rights for no wrongdoing. All this because of mass wartime hysteria and fears that Japan would attack the West Coast with help from the Issei and Nisei who lived there. All these fears were unfounded as no AJA was ever found guilty of espionage during World War II.   As for the Hawaiian Provisional Infantry Battalion, after arriving in Oakland, the 1,432 men were redesignated the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), and transported to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, then later to Camp Shelby in Mississippi, for additional training. Because they had already been through basic training with the Hawaiʻi National Guard or regular U.S. Army units before being segregated into an AJA unit led by Caucasian officers, the 100th Infantry Battalion men used this opportunity to cross-train and learn new skills that would serve them well in the future, as combat conditions often required them to take over different positions and equipment when their comrades were killed or wounded. While the 100th Infantry Battalion was the first segregated combat unit of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry (AJA) during World War II, approximately 20 members of the original unit were of other ancestries — Native Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese, or mixed ethnic backgrounds. There were also a few white officers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Farrant Turner, who were kamaʻāina or longtime Hawai‘i residents . Living in the same island communities, they reflected Hawaiʻi’s uniquely multiethnic society, where customs of inclusion and shared community ties often placed greater emphasis on personal character than on racial or ethnic background. That shared upbringing and mutual respect were key factors in why the 100th Infantry Battalion became such a close-knit and cohesive unit. LTC Turner was like a father figure to the AJA soldiers. He chose to lead this unit of men whom America had turned its back on through segregation and distrust simply because they looked like the enemy. He built their morale and pushed them to achieve levels of fitness, combat readiness and resolve they did not know they had. Later, when Major General Charles W. Ryder of the 34th Infantry Division asked whether the men of the 100th could be trusted to fight, LTC Turner expressed complete confidence in them. MG Ryder indicated that Turner’s assurance was all he needed before committing the unit to combat. Taken June 1942 along the rails on the Mississippi River. Left to right: Toshio Kawamoto, James Komatsu, Isao Nadamoto, and Fred Kanemura. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, Isao Nadamoto (B) Collection] During their rest time, the 100th soldiers received letters in Japanese from their parents in Hawaiʻi, unaware that the U.S. government was routinely intercepting and censoring the correspondence. In doing so, the U.S. was surprised that the Issei parents were encouraging their sons to fight bravely for America. They told them to try their best to fight for the country of their adoption, America. Some went further, saying not to bring shame, or haji , to the family name or their hometown of Hawaiʻi, and to ganbaru  — give their all to be most courageous and brave in every deed, even dying if necessary. 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), Company E, 3rd Platoon, training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin in August 1942. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, Thomas "Taro" Higa (A) Collection] By February 1943, the U.S. government and military became impressed and were won over by the training record and loyalty of the 100th, enough so that they decided to allow other AJAs to volunteer to join a newly formed segregated AJA unit called the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. For the 442nd, the military originally set up an objective of 4,500 men: approximately 1,500 more from Hawaiʻi and 3,000 from the mainland incarceration camps. Understandably, the response from the mainland for volunteers fell short of the 3,000 quota. Because more than 10,000 men in Hawaiʻi showed up to volunteer for the 1,500 slots, the allotments were adjusted. Ultimately, the 442nd RCT was formed with approximately 3,000 from Hawaiʻi and 1,500 from the mainland. This group went straight to Camp Shelby for basic training. These AJAs were mainly in their early twenties and had no military training prior to volunteering. Some were only in their teens, as high school students were allowed to graduate early. In contrast, the 100th Infantry Battalion soldiers were in their mid to late twenties and were already well-trained through their time in the Hawaiʻi National Guard or regular U.S. Army units, when they became soldiers of the 100th. In time, the 100th and 442nd would combine as one team with the relationship of an older and younger brother.   On August 21, 1943, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) deployed for combat, first landing in Oran, North Africa, before fighting in Italy and France. When the 100th landed in Salerno, Italy with about 1,300 men, it became the US Army's experiment to see if Americans of Japanese descent could be trusted in combat. The 100th Infantry Battalion showed exceptional courage and determination in seizing key objectives, swiftly carrying out orders, and responding effectively to enemy resistance, earning them the trust and respect of its commanders and the War Department. The ability of the men of the 100th to adapt to harsh combat conditions, grueling terrain, and fierce opposition demonstrated their skill, resilience, and commitment. Due to the severity of the battles, by early February 1944, the unit had dropped to only 521 able to fight. As a result of the tremendous number of soldiers killed in action and casualties sustained in its first five months of combat, war correspondents referred to the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) as “The Purple Heart Battalion.”  100th Infantry Battalion (January 1944), near Cassino, Italy. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, Stanley Hamamura (A) Collection] The 100th began to receive replacement soldiers transferred to the battalion from the 442nd RCT training at Camp Shelby, in March 1944. The growing need for trained AJA soldiers to assign to these segregated units, resulted in the War Department resuming Selective Service induction of AJAs in January 1944. When the 442nd RCT joined the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) in Italy in June 1944, the 100th was attached to the regiment, performing the role of its 1st Battalion. The redesignation of the unit to become the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry was made official in August 1944, with the battalion retaining its numeric 100th designation because of its incredible training and combat record and identity built as the famed One Puka Puka . Kazuto Shimizu and Tom Miyoken of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Co. C), who were part of the first group of replacements that transferred from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, Kazuto Shimizu (C) Collection] The 100th Infantry Battalion was the first AJA unit to fight for the U.S. in the European Theater, and Sgt. Shigeo “Joe” Takata became the first in the unit to be killed in action on September 29, 1943. Since 1946, the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion who survived the war have held an annual memorial service timed around September 29, to honor their comrades killed in action, for whom a formal service or ritual could not be held in the heat of battle. This tradition is still being carried on by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization today, as families of the 100th men participate in an annual memorial service at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, to honor the men in the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, who died in service during World War II, as well as the veterans of these units who served and have since passed on. The 37th Annual Memorial Service, held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl on Sunday, September 26, 1982. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans, Puka Puka Parade] The 100th, along with the 442nd, earned numerous medals and awards by fighting for their country with valor and honor. On October 29, 1945, Major Mitsuyoshi Fukuda flew home as the last original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion in Europe. Major Fukuda served as the last commanding officer of the 100th Infantry Battalion, becoming the first American of Japanese ancestry to command a combat infantry battalion, was the first Nisei combat officer to hold field rank in the U.S. Army, and then broke precedence once again, becoming Executive Officer of the 442nd Regiment.   Major Fukuda requested and was granted a meeting with John J. McCloy, the Assistant Secretary of War. During this meeting in November 1945, Major Fukuda asked that steps be taken to perpetuate the identity of the 100th Infantry Battalion, possibly with one of the units of the National Guard being given the 100th designation, and that the official policy of segregation against Japanese Americans in the military be formally discontinued.   In 1947, the 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment was reactivated in the United States Army Reserve (USAR), carrying on the World War II unit’s lineage and honors, with Major Fukuda as the 100th’s commanding officer. Today, the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry, is the only Infantry unit and only Combat Arms unit in the USAR. They maintain a high level of readiness in case they are needed in a combat zone. With Executive Order 9981 signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1948, abolishing segregation in the Armed Forces, today’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry unit is comprised of men and women soldiers from all ethnicities. Reactivation Ceremony held at Ft. Shafter on July 31, 1947. Left to Right: Lt. Col. Harry Albright, Commanding Officer of the 442nd Infantry Regiment with 1st Sgt. Harry Harimoto, holding the 442nd RCT colors, and T/Sgt. Kenneth Nakamoto with Major Mitsuyoshi Fukuda, holding colors of the 100th Infantry Battalion. [U.S. Signal Corps Photo] On August 21, 2022, exactly 79 years after the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) set sail together for the warfront, the final living member of the original 100th Infantry Battalion, Edward Ikuma, joined his comrades in full formation once more. In 2024, 82 years since the formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion, only nine 100th/442nd veterans who joined the battalion as replacements, were known to be alive. After the war, the 100th/442nd veterans would often share how proud they were to have fought for the U.S., proving their loyalty to their country and helping to make life better for their descendants and for people of color. Executive Order 9981 was one of the first and most significant federal actions aimed at advancing civil rights in the post-World War II era, and a reflection of how segregated units, like the 100th Infantry Battalion, proved they were deserving of the rights of any other American. This act of recognizing civil rights for people of color was a defining moment for the United States. It led to future changes such as The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark civil rights and labor law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.   In Hawaiʻi, the 100th Infantry Battalion, men born from humble beginnings, led the way for social change when they returned from the war. They worked for their vocational and college educations via the G.I. Bill and helped to transform the islands. In the 1954 Democratic Revolution, the AJA and other minorities were elected into legislative seats, and in Hawaiʻi the Democratic Party with multi-ethnic leaders, loosened the grip of the Republican Party, then run by wealthy Caucasians from the “Big Five” businesses. Several AJAs ultimately became known worldwide for their leadership and public service. Spark M. Matsunaga, an original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, became a U.S. Senator and co-founded the United States Institute for Peace. Daniel K. Inouye, a member of the 442nd RCT, served as a U.S. Senator for nearly five decades and was the highest-ranking public official of Asian American descent in U.S. history.   Senator Spark Matsunaga poses with fellow veteran Ukichi Wozumi and others from Hawai‘i at the Capitol. [100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Center, Ukichi Wozumi (B) Collection] Gaman  (quiet, steadfast endurance), ganbari (perseverance, giving it their all), giri  (duty or obligation), haji  (not to bring shame and to honor one’s family), enryo  (modesty and self-sacrifice), sekinin  (responsibility), and chuugi  (loyalty) — with these core values, the 100th Infantry Battalion soldiers overcame tremendous obstacles on and off the battlefield, proved their loyalty to their country, and achieved civil rights changes that have had an enormous positive impact on society. As sung in their marching song, “the 100th leads the way….”   100th Infantry Battalion Marching song (words partially improvised by Ray Nosaka, 100th Inf Bn, Co. B) : "One Puka Puka Infantry, we’re the boys from Hawaiʻi Nei. We’re fighting for you, and the Red, White and Blue, We’re going to the front, and back to Honolulu. Fighting for dear old Uncle Sam, 'Go for Broke' — we don’t give a damn. Let them come and run, at the point of our gun. When the 100th leads the way." Written by: Kathi Hayashi [daughter of Tokuichi Hayashi (100th Inf Bn, Co. A) ], 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Education Chair; Amy Kwong [granddaughter of M. Eugene Kawakami (100th Inf Bn, Co. A) ], 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Communications Chair; and Isami Yoshihara [brother of Hisashi Yoshihara (100th Inf Bn, Co. A) ], 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Lead Docent. (July 2024) Musical Tribute Video: One Puka Puka Leads the Way Song by: President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) in Washington, DC, Howard High (2025) Video by: 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) For more about the song and video: https://www.100thibv.org/post/one-puka-puka-song Contact Us 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building (Clubhouse) 520 Kamoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA Phone: (808) 946-0272 Clubhouse Office: info@100thibv.org Hours: By appointment only https://www.100thibv.org/ https://www.facebook.com/100thIBV/ Education Center Tours: info@100thbattalion.org Hours: By appointment only Education Center Website: https://www.100thbattalion.org

As we all strive to keep the legacy of the World War II AJA (Americans of Japanese ancestry) soldiers and veterans vibrant and relevant, we would appreciate support in our efforts to take a proactive approach to work together for data accuracy. By sharing information and working collaboratively, we can “lock arms” to have a consistent and accurate message to the public, with less missing, different, or conflicting data. To this end, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) organization would like to share the below 100th Infantry Battalion Historical Overview, providing the history of the battalion’s formation, combat record, and statistics & awards/decorations. We would also like to provide the below “Unit and Individual Awards List” for the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as published by the Japanese Americans Veterans Association (JAVA). The list updates figures originally published in Major Orville Shirey’s book, Americans: The Story of The 442nd Combat Team (Washington, DC: Infantry Journal Press, 1946), and was compiled by a five-member research team of subject matter experts on the World War II AJA units, including Terry Shima, Jeff Morita, Mark Matsunaga, Isami Yoshihara and Metta Tanikawa. The research team worked diligently to update the list to represent the current award numbers for the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Research Team member and 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Communications Committee member Isami Yoshihara, brother of 100th Infantry Battalion Able Company veteran Hisashi Yoshihara, provides the scope of work and process for this research in the below file, along with a request for all organizations to review and update the statistics on their organization’s references, publications, exhibits, materials, and/or websites to confirm that the data used is consistent with the attached list. We hope this will lead to better quality in the way we communicate the precious message of the AJA Nisei that served in World War II. Please feel free to contact us with any questions in regards to the 100th Infantry Battalion.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), organized in March 1943, is recognized with the 100th Infantry Battalion, as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. military . We are grateful for the outpouring of community support in advocating for the accurate representation of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd RCT, Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and other units with the respect and honor they deserve. Formation of the 100th Infantry Battalion (1942). The 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was activated on June 12, 1942, and primarily composed of Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) — enlisted men who had been drafted from as early as December 1940, and were serving in Hawaii National Guard units under US Army command.   Following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the loyalty of AJAs was questioned, leading the War Department to reclassify Japanese Americans as “IV-C, enemy aliens” in January 1942, and no longer able to enlist in the American armed forces. Despite this, AJA men already in the service continued their duties to protect the people of Hawai‘i and guard against the enemy. On May 28, 1942, AJA soldiers of the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments of the Hawai‘i National Guard, regular Army, and activated reservists in Hawai‘i, were extracted from their multi-ethnic units and gathered at Schofield Barracks to form the first segregated Japanese American unit, later named "100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)." 100th Infantry Battalion (Company E, 3rd Platoon) training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. (1942) Following 14 months of mainland training, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, entered combat in Italy in September 1943 with just over 1,300 men. Depleted by tremendous casualties due to deaths and injuries sustained in its first 5 months in combat, the 100th was reduced to 460 effective men by the end of February 1944, earning it the nickname of "The Purple Heart Battalion." Formation of the 442nd Infantry Regiment (1943). On February 1, 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt approved the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a second segregated US Army unit of AJA men. The outstanding training record of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) from Hawai ʻ i, the first segregated AJA unit, activated in June 1942, played a key role in the formation of the 442nd. Another main factor was the service of AJAs in the Hawai ʻ i Territorial Guard and Military Intelligence Service, as well as the contributions of the Varsity Victory Volunteers in Hawai ʻ i, whose members would later volunteer to join the 442nd. In response to the War Department's call for volunteers, about two-thirds of the roughly 4,000 men who formed the 442nd RCT in March 1943 were from Hawaiʻi. The remainder came from the continental United States, many of whom were volunteers from incarceration camps. The 442nd trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi with three infantry battalions, the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion (522nd FAB), Cannon Co., Anti-Tank Co., Regimental HQ Co., Service Co., Medical Detachment, 232nd Combat Engineers, and the 206th Army Band. 100th/442nd (1944): Due to the heavy casualties suffered by the 100th Infantry Battalion by February 1944 significantly reducing its effective strength, in response, replacement soldiers from the 442nd training in Mississippi were sent to bolster the battalion. The first group of replacements arrived to join the 100th in Italy, in March 1944. With newly arrived replacement soldiers, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) fought in Anzio, helped liberate Rome, and earned the 100th its first of three Presidential Unit Citations for actions at Belvedere, Italy. Soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, with replacement soldiers from the 442nd Infantry Regiment, marching up to the front towards Lanuvio, Italy (May 28, 1944). [Photo courtesy of: United States Army Signal Corps] With the growing need for trained AJA soldiers to replenish the two segregated AJA units — the 100th fighting in Italy and the 442nd training at Camp Shelby, in January 1944, the War Department announced the reinstitution of general selective service procedures for American citizens of Japanese descent. AJAs considered eligible for military service were no longer classified as IV-C “enemy alien,” and called for induction if physically qualified and not deferred. From September 1943 until June 26, 1944, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) earned 16 Distinguished Service Crosses (DSCs). Nine months after the 100th Infantry Battalion began fighting in Italy, the 442nd entered combat near Civitavecchia on June 26, 1944, attached to the 34th Infantry Division. The 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) was attached to the 442nd Infantry Regiment. Over the next two months the newly arrived 442nd earned eight DSCs while the 100th earned three more.  On August 10, 1944, the 100th was officially redesignated as the "100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry." It served as the 1st Battalion of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, but was allowed to retain its numeral “100th” designation due to its outstanding record in training and combat. The 100th/442nd played a critical role in the liberation of Bruyères and Biffontaine in France, and in rescuing the “Lost Battalion” of Texas, suffering heavy losses while proving their valor. The reorganized 442nd RCT earned an additional 21 DSCs until the end of the war. In the year 2000, 19 of the 48 DSCs awarded to men who served in the 100th/442nd along with one Silver Star were upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In total, about 10,000 men served in the combined 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd RCT, ultimately earning over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor, and an unprecedented seven Presidential Unit Citations.  100th/442nd Statistics & Awards. (Calculations are derived from estimates of the number of men who served and Purple Heart total figures, based on available data.) The statistics highlighted in the above chart demonstrate the extraordinary bravery and sacrifices of these primarily Japanese American units. The 100th Infantry Battalion represented 31% of the 100th/442nd effective strength. However, despite making up a smaller portion of the total force, the 100th bore significant casualties, with 47% of those who died in the 100th/442nd coming from the battalion, and its men earning 43% of the Purple Hearts awarded to men in the combined units. A notable share of Medals of Honor (38%) and Silver Stars (40%), along with the majority of Distinguished Service Crosses (59%), were awarded to men of the 100th, highlighting their exceptional combat record and significant contributions to the 442nd RCT’s commendations. The 100th was the Hawai‘i-born, vanguard unit that proved beyond doubt that the Japanese American soldiers could be trusted in combat. The unit was the War Department's test to determine if AJA soldiers could be trusted in combat, and their exceptional bravery, combined with the contributions of the 442nd RCT and MIS, shifted both the War Department's and the American public's perception of Japanese Americans. ▶︎ Our focus and mission is: To perpetuate the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion by remembering what they achieved in battle and how they accomplished their goals; To honor those that were killed in action or died in service, and those that have since passed; and To honor the 100th's desire to give back to the community, which we do via our public service and via student participants in our annual 100th IBV Legacy2Action education initiative.  ▶︎ Learn more and help to perpetuate the legacy of the 100th/442nd: 100th Infantry Battalion Education Center ( www.100thbattalion.org ) Our digital education center with a vast compendium of historical knowledge including individual soldier stories, speeches, memoirs, letters, Puka Puka Parade newsletter articles, photos and descriptions of battle experiences.  100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) official Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/100thIBV/ ) 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) website ( www.100thibv.org ) with resources on the 100th and updates on our organization initiatives. Puka Puka Parade newsletter ( https://www.100thibv.org/post/puka-puka-parade-marches-on-eighty-years-later ), with 80 volumes filled with photos and articles that capture the voices and stories straight from our 100th Infantry Battalion veterans. Over time, it has also been enriched by contributions from their wives/widows, descendants, and families.  Thank you to everyone who is doing their part in learning and helping us to perpetuate the stories of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Voices to Courage: Hawai‘i's One Puka Puka Heroes Summer Youth Program (2026). The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization (Club 100) is proud to announce a meaningful new partnership with Mānoa Valley Theatre to present Voices to Courage: Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes , a summer theater program dedicated to honoring the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion — the first segregated unit of Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) to serve in World War II. Running June 15 through July 12, 2026 , this innovative educational and artistic program invites middle and high school students to step into history through performance, storytelling, and civic engagement. Together, the Club 100 and Mānoa Valley Theatre aim to empower Hawaiʻi’s youth to engage deeply with themes of Belonging, Sacrifice, and Voice — the struggles and triumphs of the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the families who supported them. Honoring the One Puka Puka Legacy The 100th Infantry Battalion, whose service and training record helped pave the way for the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was uniquely called "One Puka Puka," giving a nod to its Hawaiʻi roots. In Hawaiian, “puka” means hole, symbolizing the zero in “100th.” Despite facing initial discrimination and uncertainty because of their Japanese ancestry, these courageous soldiers went on to become part of one of the most highly decorated units in United States military history. Through this partnership, we continue our commitment to preserving the stories and values of our veterans while ensuring that future generations understand the resilience, courage, and loyalty demonstrated by the Hawaiʻi AJA soldiers of World War II. Bringing WWII Stories to Life Through Youth Performance Students participating in Voices to Courage  will explore oral histories, first-person testimonials, and theatrical interpretation. By engaging directly with authentic stories, participants will examine timeless questions about courage, loyalty, and identity — issues that resonate as powerfully today as they did over 80 years ago. Beyond performance, students will build valuable skills in historical research, dramatic storytelling, and civic engagement while connecting Hawaiʻi's past to contemporary issues of civil rights and social justice. Guided by theater professionals, veterans’ families and historians, the program will foster an intergenerational exchange that bridges Hawaiʻi’s WWII generation with the young leaders of today. Public Performances and Community Connection The program will culminate in two public performances on July 11 and 12, 2026 , offering students the opportunity to share their work with the broader community. These performances will serve not only as a celebration of student achievement but also as a living tribute to the stories and sacrifices of Hawaiʻi’s World War II heroes. As Mānoa Valley Theatre Artistic Director Rob Duval shared: “Mānoa Valley Theatre is delighted to collaborate with the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization on this summer project. This program pays tribute to the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s World War II heroes while empowering the next generation to become storytellers and truth-keepers. By directly engaging with these compelling stories, our students will gain a deeper comprehension of the true essence of being an American.” Honoring the 100th Through Partnership We extend our sincere thanks to Mānoa Valley Theatre for this opportunity for students to explore the values and experiences of Hawaiʻi-born soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion through the power of artistic expression. This collaboration represents more than a program — it is a continuation of our "For Continuing Service" mission to preserve the history of the 100th Infantry Battalion, honor its legacy, and support our community by inspiring future generations. By empowering young people to learn, reflect, and perform, we hope to help ensure that the voices of Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes continue to resonate well into the future. Club 100 is proud be a partner on Voices to Courage: Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes . We invite everyone to support this important initiative and to join us for the culminating performances this July at the Mānoa Valley Theatre. Together, through storytelling and shared remembrance, we carry forward the legacy of courage, unity, and service of the 100th Infantry Battalion. ▶︎ Call for Stories — "Voices to Courage: Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes" We are currently gathering stories with photographs and/or videos, and historical materials honoring Hawai‘i’s “One Puka Puka” Heroes — the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion — for this 2026 Mānoa Valley Theatre summer youth theater workshop. Through this project, young artists will learn directly from real experiences, transforming powerful personal histories into meaningful performances that preserve the 100th/442nd's legacy and inspire future generations. What We’re Looking For: We warmly welcome submissions connected to the 100th Infantry Battalion that help illuminate the lives and experiences of these remarkable individuals, including: Personal stories and memories Photographs (wartime, homecoming, or family moments) Videos and oral histories Letters and historical documents Please include one or two paragraphs  explaining why you believe this individual’s story should be considered for the project. Links to additional information are welcome, but be sure to provide the basic details directly in your submission for the team to review. 📩 How to Submit: Send submissions to: Mariko Miho ( mariko.miho@gmail.com ) Alan Suemori ( suemori@iolani.org ) Suggested deadline: February 28 Mahalo for helping preserve the voices, memories, and legacy of Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes. Your contributions will help educate and inspire the next generation. ▶︎ Call for Student Auditions — "Voices to Courage: Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes" Mānoa Valley Theatre is now accepting applications from motivated students entering grades 7–12 in Fall 2026 who are interested in history, performance, storytelling, and community engagement. No prior theatre experience is required — only curiosity, commitment, and respect for the stories we will explore together. 📄 Applications Now Open: Deadline:  Friday, March 13, 2026 at midnight (HST) Submit applications to: Rob Duval, Artistic Director ( rob.duval@manoavalleytheatre.com ) Mr. Duval will contact applicants after submissions are received. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment at Mānoa Valley Theatre. 🎭 Program Details: Program Dates: June 15 – July 12, 2026 Location: Mānoa Valley Theatre  Student Commitment: Students will meet at Mānoa Valley Theatre, Monday – Friday, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., starting June 15th (no meeting Friday, June 19th). The program culminates in two performances: Saturday, July 11th, at 7 p.m. (afternoon rehearsal that day from 1 - 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday, July 12th, 3 p.m. performance.  Program Cost: No application fee. The cost to participate in the program is $100. Financial aid is available if requested. More Information: https://www.manoavalleytheatre.com/ Student Application Form: Mahalo for supporting youth storytelling and the preservation of the 100th Infantry Battalion history through theatre.

We are excited to announce the launch of the 5th annual 100th Infantry Battalion Legacy2Action(L2A)  education initiative. Students, please follow the instruction on the flyer below, on how to register. Download the 2026 Legacy2Action Flyer below: In 2022, four students and two teams participated in the pilot program. By 2025, hundreds of students have participated in the L2A  program, and have commented on how rewarding it was to learn about the high performance values and to design and in some cases, implement a community service project. Participants say they were excited to learn the “secret sauce” of how the 100th Infantry Battalion became, with the 442nd, the most decorated unit in U.S. military history, despite discrimination, questions of loyalty, and small stature of the men – on average 5’4” and 125 pounds.   Students learn about the success values of Ganbari : perseverance, giving it your all, Gaman : quiet, steadfast endurance, Chuugi : loyalty & “one team” mentality, Sekinin : responsibility, Giri : sense of duty, and Haji : avoiding shame to protect the family name. This is the legacy they left us. Students are then asked to put the 100th’s legacy into action: identify an important issue or problem facing Hawaiʻi  one is passionate about, then use the success values of the 100th to develop and present a creative solution.  The 100th’s L2A  Program has generated quite a bit of interest in the Hawaiʻi  community. There were two articles written about L2A  in the Honolulu Advertiser, a multi-page spread in Lighthouse magazine (August 2024)  and recently an article in the January/February 2025 issue of Generations magazine , entitled, “Legacy2Action Bridges Students & Kūpuna.” Director/Producer Steve Sue is targeting "The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha" documentary film to be completed by Spring 2026 to celebrate America's 250th birthday. The film showcases the values of the 100th, 442nd and 522nd as they fought tyranny, while spreading Aloha still remembered by villages after more than 80 years. (For more information, visit https://100thfilm.com/ )   All students, not just descendants  are encouraged to register by Friday, February 27, 2026  as noted in the instructions on the flyer. We feel what the 100th men, Hawaiʻi-born Americans of Japanese ancestry, did for all of us is a proud story to be told by everyone, not just descendants of the 100th. Similar to the seafarers of the Hōkūleʻa, you don’t need to be of Hawaiian descent to be proud of and share the story of their courage, perseverance, and innovation.  Apply here for Legacy2Action 2026:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0gyaEg5GhP82HrVu0-VEnoscG1YlY1K1TFeOSpzatNY7MEg/viewform View the 2024 Presentations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZKofAfA1Tc&t=1s Download the Project Overview below: We are excited to launch this year’s initiative and hear the creative solutions to help Hawaiʻi become a better place in line with Club 100’s motto, “For Continuing Service.” Please contact us at info@100thbattalion.org  for more information.

The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) recently received a musical rendition honoring the 100th Infantry Battalion in a song titled, “One Puka Puka Leads the Way.” It was such an extreme honor to receive this gift from the President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) in Washington, DC, Howard High! Howard reviewed the lyrics with 100th IBV Communications Committee member Isami Yoshihara for accuracy. Thank you, Howard, for allowing us to use this masterpiece for our educational endeavors.   Please click on the video below for the song, and have your tissue ready — we incorporated photos from our Education Center and Club 100 archives of our 100th Infantry Battalion soldiers, who locked arms against tyranny on the journey described in Howard’s lyrics. "One Puka Puka Leads the Way" music video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94qw8Wz0TME ). “One Puka Puka Leads the Way”  — in honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion   Song Created by: Howard High, President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA)   From island homes of sugar cane, Where trade winds sang and skies would rain, They answered duty's solemn call, Though doubts and fear surrounded all.   Born of " Issei " dreams and " Nisei " pride, They stood as warriors side by side, With " Gaman " in their hearts of flame, They'd forge a legacy and name.   One Puka Puka leads the way, From Hawaiʻi Nei to war's dark day. For the Red, White, and Blue they'd fight, Proving loyalty in freedom's light.   Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand, With courage carved in every land. One Puka Puka, brave and true, Fighting for me, fighting for you.   Their hearts were heavy, filled with honor, In secret sailed across the water. From Camp McCoy to Shelby's dirt, They trained with grit through sweat and hurt.   Their letters home, in quiet prose, Spoke honor that the " Issei " chose: " Ganbare ," fight for your good name, Bring honor, never bring us shame.   In Italy's hills they paid the price, Purple Hearts for sacrifice. They bled where others held their doubt, But valor left no room for doubt.   They charged through fire, they cleared the way, Their silence louder than what words say. Each fallen soul, a torch alight, a guide for those who still must fight.   One Puka Puka leads the way, From Hawaiʻi Nei to war's dark day. For the Red, White, and Blue they'd fight, Proving loyalty in freedom's light.   Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand, With courage carved in every land. One Puka Puka, proud and free, They changed the course of history.   They came back home to rise once more, To open wide democracy's door. In Senate halls and island schools, They lived by " Gaman ," broke the rules.   Their march lives on, their truth remains, In every fight for justice gained. So let their song rise high and bold — One Puka Puka, brave and gold.   One Puka Puka leads the way, Through shadows dark to brighter day. Their legacy will never fade, In every step that freedom's made.   Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand, With courage carved in every land. One Puka Puka, brave and true, Fighting for me, fighting for you. Thank you, Howard, for sharing your love and respect for the 100th in such a precious way. Many at Club 100 were moved to tears by the poetic and soulful lyrical description of the arduous battle that our 100th patriarchs endured in combat and in America’s view of people of Japanese ancestry after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Then, tears of appreciation that the President of venerate JAVA would invest so much time to honor the 100th Infantry Battalion soldiers in such a precious way. It is difficult to describe the overwhelming gratitude felt, hearing the 100th Infantry Battalion validated and recognized by the President of one of the most revered Japanese American Veterans organizations in our country. We are humbled. Mahalo. “One Puka Puka Leads the Way,” honors the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion — a unit formed primarily of Japanese American soldiers from Hawaiʻi during World War II. This battalion was the first Japanese American segregated unit in the U.S. Army, composed almost entirely of "Nisei" (Japanese Americans born to first generation "Issei" immigrant parents), and emerged as one of the most decorated units in American military history. The battalion is known affectionately by its nickname, "One Puka Puka" ("puka" means "hole" in Hawaiian, and the zero resembles a hole). The song is more than a tribute — it is a lyrical chronicle of identity, duty, and unwavering loyalty. At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, many of the men who would become part of the 100th Infantry Battalion had already been drafted and were serving in the activated Hawai‘i National Guard units, specifically the 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments under U.S. Army command in Hawai‘i. The Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) continued to serve in these units until May 1942, when they were segregated into a separate battalion, leaving the islands in secrecy on June 5, 1942. Named the "100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)," the men underwent training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Camp Shelby, Mississippi, before deploying to the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign theater on August 21, 1943. The 100th headed into combat at Salerno in southern Italy on the night of September 26, 1943. On September 29, the unit engaged in active combat for the first time, and the men were hit hard when the first in the unit was killed in action — SGT Shigeo Joseph "Joe" Takata. The high rate of casualties the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) suffered during its first five months in combat, including the Battle of Monte Cassino, would earn it the moniker of “The Purple Heart Battalion." Through the battle-scarred hills and flats of Italy and France, the lyrics carry listeners through the emotional and physical journey of these soldiers. The song reflects the deep struggle against prejudice that shaped their experience, echoing themes of "gaman" (quiet, steadfast endurance), honor, and the powerful message of “ganbare” (persevere, no matter what) found in letters received by the 100th from their parents. In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, these messages from the Issei urged their sons to demonstrate loyalty and fight for America, not Japan. The lyrics reinforce the battalion’s role as a leader — breaking barriers and proving, through valor, their devotion to the United States even when their loyalty was unjustly questioned. ​The outstanding training record of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) in 1942, led to the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) in 1943. The valor of the 100th in its first weeks of fighting in Italy, convinced the War Department that American soldiers of Japanese descent could be trusted in combat, thus clearing the way for the 442nd RCT to join the 100th Inf Bn in Italy, in June 1944. The song reflects not just their contributions during the war, but also the postwar accomplishments of these veterans as they returned home to become leaders in civic life, championing justice and equality. The men of the 100th Infantry Battalion carried the people of Hawai‘i in their hearts throughout the war, proudly bearing the unit's motto of "Remember Pearl Harbor," and a unit coat of arms inspired by the Hawai‘i National Guard units they once served in. The men embodied the concept of "inclusion" and spirit of unity, present in their homeland of Hawaii, that embraced all people regardless of color. The 100th Infantry Battalion, though composed primarily of AJA, was led by a Caucasian commander, Lt. Col. Farrant Turner, who deeply loved and respected his men, handpicking his Caucasian officers to build a strong, unified team. The unit also included a few Native Hawaiian, Korean, and other soldiers of mixed or no Japanese ancestry, who joined the unit at the time of its formation, because of the powerful bonds they shared. Although the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) soldiers led the way, they must have sighed in relief, that the blood of the 100th spilled from death and wounds were not shed in vain. The young men of the 442nd RCT would “carry on” the mission that the 100th started. The 100th arrived in Salerno, Italy on September 22, 1943, with 1,300 men. After fiercely fighting the Nazi with superior positions on the hills, by the end of February 1944, just 5 months later, the unit was down to 460 men able to fight. On August 10, 1944, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was redesignated as the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, serving as the 442nd's 1st Battalion, but allowed to keep the "100th Battalion" name due to its stellar training and combat record. The 100th Inf Bn and 442nd RCT would become the most decorated in U.S. military history for its size and length of service. Our patriarchs were brothers in battle, and we are now brothers and sisters to share the legacy and values they left with us. With AJA veterans organizations and the community “locking arms," we work together as stewards of the nisei warriors’ legacy. We pledge that no one will ever erase from history what these great Americans did for Hawaiʻi, America and the world. With solemn respect and poetic grace, “One Puka Puka Leads the Way” stands as a musical tribute to a group of Americans who changed the course of history — fighting not only for victory abroad, but for dignity and recognition at home. Mahalo with revered gratitude to President Howard High of JAVA, for the musical tribute.

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Clubhouse was excited to hear the from the next generation of Legacy2Action  students and some return participants on how they used the values of the 100th to solve problems facing Hawaiʻi. This is the 4th year of this Project Based Learning initiative in partnership between Club 100, ʻIolani School, the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Center on Aging and Central Pacific Bank. What we heard from participants and the attendees was it was “a most inspiring day” of hope for the future. We thank Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaiʻi State Archivist Adam Jansen, Pacific Historic Parks Program Specialist Taylor Smith, Chairperson of ID8 and producer of Project Shaka  Steve Sue, members and guests, for taking the time to hear how students applied the values of the 100th men to their community service project. In addition, students and the audience were enthralled to meet Dr. Takashi Manago (100th Bn., Co. A) , veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion. At 101 years old, he is an avid supporter of the Legacy2Action  initiative, and put his hands together and bowed his head in appreciation of the hard work the students invested to give back to the community and to make the world a better place. Dr. Manago is one of six known living veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion.  It is remarkable how the youth of today are able to successfully apply values learned by our forefathers in the 100th Infantry Battalion, to help resolve current day community problems. Many of the groups focused in on values such as ganbari  (perseverance, giving it their all), sekinin  (responsibility), giri  (sense of duty), gaman (quiet, steadfast endurance), enryo (modesty), and haji (don’t bring shame to your family name) as they worked on their chosen projects as individuals or in small groups. We are so thankful, as these students invested the time out of the goodness of their hearts. This was not a school project; they did not get a grade or credit – they did it because they have key ingredients of successful high performance individual/teams – passion, drive, and a generous heart.  100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Legacy2Action  participants at the Clubhouse on May 4, with 100th/442nd veteran, Dr. Takashi Manago, Kathi Hayashi, Steve Sue, and Adam Jansen. [ Photo courtesy: Nova Hanai [great-granddaughter of Yoshio Saito (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) ] ]. The following are samples of presentations of Legacy2Action  projects prepared by students from various schools on Oʻahu, and one from California. Shane Kaneshiro – “New Fallen Warriors of UH ROTC.” Shane shared his research where he found nine more University of Hawaii Army ROTC students, who bravely served our country and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. For the past 14 years, the University of Hawaii Army ROTC program honored 17 soldiers. Due to Shane’s research , the Army ROTC program will process the nine additional fallen warriors found; thus 26 should be honored in the future. Thank you to four-time Legacy2Action  participant, Shane Kaneshiro! Ryker Yamamoto – “Documenting the Values of the 100th Battalion.”  Ryker prepared a 13-minute documentary with highlights of the 100th Infantry Battalion journey during WWII. It includes an interview with Dr. Takashi Manago and Dr. Nolan Higa, son of Thomas “Taro” Higa , both of 100th Battalion Able Company. Dr. Manago described where he was when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Dr. Higa described how his father served on three continents during the same war. Thomas Taro Higa served in Italy, used his language skills to communicate with those in internment camps on the mainland and in Okinawa to persuade civilians to exit caves before they were bombed. Ryker notes, “The story of the 100th Battalion and its feats is one of bravery, camaraderie and, most importantly, one of continuing service.” Naomi Uejo – “Our Sekinin  – Preparing Students for their Future.”  Naomi addressed an important topic of helping to prepare students for their future. Much of what is required in job hunting is not taught in school. Students need to hone their skills in order to land a good job. Writing a good resume as well as a professional e-mail without including slang emoji  is a must. She spoke about writing mock e-mails to teachers to practice letter writing skills. Naomi exhibits the value of sekinin,  or responsibility. Madeline Lucy Nicholas – “Trashy Habits: Recycling Contamination.”  Madeline focused on trashy habits and recycling. Many do want to contribute towards recycling but specific rules need to be followed. Total scrap plastic exports have declined by 40% in the last year mostly due to the U.S.’s high level of recycling contamination. It is important to note that leftover food on any recycled items can contaminate all the items in its vicinity. When in doubt, throw it out is what this group preaches, exhibiting the values of giri  – sense of duty and sekinin  – responsibility.  Ian Yamamoto – “Using Native Plants to Prevent Fires.”  Ian [great-grandson of George Yamamoto (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) continued on with project topics of the past dealing with our environment. This year, he spoke about using native plants to help prevent fires. There are native plants that are drought resistant. I was especially drawn to his research on the ʻĀweoweo plant which can go months without water. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. It can also be consumed by humans. Imagine if we had this plant in the midst of all fire zones. (Left photo) Ryker Yamamoto with Dr. Manago.  (Right-Top photo) 100th IBV President Kathi Hayashi (center) with George Yamamoto (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) family, including L2A student presenter, Ian Yamamoto.  (Right-Bottom photo) Madeline Nicholas shares more about her L2A project with event attendees. [ Photos courtesy: Nova Hanai ] Amber Nosis and Arianna Romualdo – “Senior2Senior.”  Amber and Arianna promoted programs to help seniors with dementia to have contact with high school students to bring joy into their lives and reduce the problem of kupuna loneliness. This team focused on the 100th value of giri,  or obligation, to make a positive difference. The service would be performed in a day care community center. Both girls have done singing, art projects, and ‘talk story’ sessions with patients. Their main goal is to bring smiles to senior citizens by volunteering two times a month. Czylah Ranchez-Saramsoing & Isabella Na – “ Temptations  Cookbook and Magazine.”  Czylah and Isabella encouraged people to develop a healthy relationship with food applying the concept of haji  (avoiding shame, or haji , to protect the family name) and value of enryo  (modesty). They don’t want to force anyone or shame them into changing their eating habits. They want to use education to show that it is important to fuel our bodies, not just to look good, but to feel good. At the break-out table, they shared samples of healthy snacks that proved healthy food can also be yummy!  Kii Tagai, Rachel Zane and Vesper Gaines – “Food Insecurity.”  This group tackled the difficult task of preventing food insecurity on our island. They promote buying local or consuming home grown products thereby enhancing a sustainable future for the local people. They participated in a Sustainability Fair and their action plan is to work with existing organizations to help people struggling with food insecurity. Kii represented ‘Iolani’s “My Life, My Island, My World “class. Her group’s “Food Insecurity” project used all the values of the 100th Infantry Battalion and more. Their list included: giri  – duty, meiyo  – honor, chuugi  – loyalty, haji  and hokori  – shame and pride, kuni no tame  – give your all to your country, gambaru  – endure/persevere, shikata ga nai  – accept the circumstances, kodomo no tame ni  – for the sake of the children, oyakoukou  – respect of parents, on  – obligation, and kansha  – gratitude.  Eleanor Ede, Yiru (Lily) Jin – “ Lantern Link.” Eleanor and Lily created a website with warning to keep elders reminded to pause before purchasing or clicking links. They plan to have informative activity sessions on training senior citizens to learn how to safely use and what to trust on the internet. Joey Dai and Griffin Gadre – “Addressing The Brain Drain.” Joey and Griffin found this is happening right here in Hawaiʻi. What is it? It is the emigration of the state’s skilled and educated residents, often young professionals, to the mainland or elsewhere. The cause of this is basically the high cost of living in Hawaiʻi, but people would return if opportunities were provided to them. Stronger moves need to be made to support local businesses. After the session, one of our members said he would like to help build business in Hawai‘i using some of the good ideas presented today. He admits that he was part of the “Brain Drain” as he could not find suitable jobs that paid well in Hawaiʻi.  Vincci Kwan, Maggie Cheng, Kamy Kaneshige – “Perseverance in Health Care.”  This group found women are often misdiagnosed for health issues since trials are often conducted on men. They want to create pamphlets to encourage women patients to ask questions based on the experience of others, who battled similar diseases.  2025 Legacy2Action student participants present to an attentive audience at the 100th IBV Clubhouse. [ Photos courtesy: Shane Kaneshiro ] In addition to the projects presented at the Clubhouse on May 4, 2025, the following projects were submitted, but the presenters had schedule conflicts, thus could not attend: Sam Allen – “Save the Sea -Art Awareness Project.” Sam creatively used trash found along the beach as an art model to remind the public to properly throw trash in proper containers.  Josie Draper & Alicia Gagnon – “Kindness Rocks Garden.”  – Josie and Alicia taught children about Emotional Learning by helping them to paint rocks for a kindness garden with gambari – to give it their all and to do their very best.  Jaisa Griffin, Lilli Crowley, Shayna Silva – “Helping the Homeless.”  This group feels homeless are treated without respect instead of understanding that they need help . They ran a collection drive and created self-care packages, which they distributed with a community outreach program. They also conversed with those experiencing homelessness so they can feel like they are being heard. Their giri , or sense of duty and obligation to help others, was felt by the homeless community they served. Xandra-Carmen Domingo – “Hawaiian Children’s Storybook: ‘Kaimana.’”  Xandra felt the need to create a children’s book to spread awareness about pollution. She felt is is her sekinin  or responsibility to do so.  Qingquin Chen – “Electricity Conservation Proposal.” Qingquin felt we should use technology to turn lights off when they are not needed.  Brady Serikaku, Kai Chen, Sage Matsumoto and Breydan Hu – “Invasive Reef Fish in Hawai‘i.”  This group learned how to identify and fish for invasive reef fish. Emma Nishikawa & Haylen Tam – “Homelessness.”  Emma and Haylen created a keiki project for Kahauiki Village to create a safe environment, embracing the 100th value of kodomo no tame ni  – for the sake of the children and gambaru  – to endure/preserve.  Brennan Yamamoto & Sadie Chan – “Hydroponic Towers.”  Brennan and Sadie’s project was to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. They explored hydroponics as a more sustainable way to grow crops without fossil fuel consumption, applying 100th values of giri – helping the community, kansha – gratitude, and gambaru – dedication/perseverance to never give up.  Jacob Shaw, Ace Hostelley, Archie Nutchalern – “Invasive & Native Species in Our Streams.”  This group worked to make a positive difference in the community by catching invasive species to remove them from stream systems. They applied 100th values of kuni no tame  – helping our country/community and local marine life, and gambaru  – to dedicate themselves on this project to make a difference. Flora Liao – “Building Stronger Communities: Aloha Pathways for Immigrants in Hawaiʻi.”  Flora found that the recent Chinese immigrants have difficulties connecting with the American community. She would like to make a website so Chinese immigrants can easily find resources and programs.  Kayla Ling – “The Most Loyal Traitors.”  Kayla made a 10-minute documentary ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mAw2P2NSGo ) about the Hawaiʻi 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. She won the State of California National History Day competition for her category, and will be competing in the National competition in June. She was thankful to learn about the 100th values, especially ganbari  - to give it her all and to try her best. Kayla is our first out-of-state participant in our 100th Legacy2Action  program. She is from the Bay Area of California.  (Left-Top photo/Right-Bottom photo) L2A student presenters meet with attendees to share more about their projects, following their presentations.  (Left-Bottom photo) Film producer Steve Sue, of Project Shaka .  (Right-Top photo)  100th/442nd veteran, Dr. Takashi Manago, with Steve Sue and Shayna & Nova Hanai [granddaughter & great-granddaughter of Yoshio Saito (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) ] [ Photos courtesy: Nova Hanai ] Thank you to all who participated, and we invite continued participation by students next year, to share status of their implementation or to provide another project to be considered.  It was wonderful to hear great ideas from students on how they solved the problem they identified using the 100th’s success values. Students and the audience shared feedback that they truly enjoyed, and were inspired by all the positive ideas for change and the ties to the values of the 100th Infantry Battalion. The day was extra special with 100th/442nd veteran, Dr. Manago, sharing his appreciation for all the students’ hard work. It was a treat to hear directly from film producer Steve Sue of Project Shaka , about how impressed he was with the students’ ideas, and of his announcement that he is making a movie about the Hawaiʻi nisei, starting with the Hawaiʻi-born 100th Infantry Battalion, called “The 100TH: Seeds of Aloha.”  ( https://100thfilm.com/ ) The movie is not a battlefields movie, but one of overcoming obstacles, planting seeds of positive change and sharing the values the students embodied in their Legacy2Action  projects. All this following the motto of Club 100: For Continuing Service ! ----- This article has been reprised from the May 2025 Puka Puka Parade newsletter article, written by Elsie Yoshimura [daughter of Thomas “Taro” Higa (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) ] and Kathi Hayashi [daughter of Tokuichi Hayashi (100th Inf. Bn., Co. A) ] . Back issues of the Puka Puka Parade can be viewed online, courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa eVols digitial repository — the most recent issues available to the public can be viewed here: https://hdl.handle.net/10524/66742 . For more about the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Puka Puka Parade, please visit https://www.100thibv.org/post/puka-puka-parade-newsletter .

On December 22, 2025, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) was honored to welcome Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Medal of Honor recipient Dennis Fujii , "The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha" film Producer/Director Steve Sue and Cinematographer Alex Bocchieri, along with honored guests and members. We gathered to dedicate the Purple Heart City sign from the City and County of Honolulu, alongside Mayor Blangiardi, in front of the 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building (Clubhouse). Purple Heart City sign dedication ceremony at the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Clubhouse. [ Photo courtesy: Clyde Sugimoto ] In 2025, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of Club 100, incorporated when the men returned from war in 1945. The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization's motto — “For Continuing Service”— continues to guide us. The Purple Heart is a symbol that evokes deep emotion and pride, representing incredible courage, often at the cost of life. Kevin Kuroda represented his uncle, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Robert Kuroda (442nd RCT, 2nd Battalion) , for whom a ship was recently named. 100th Infantry Battalion member Janice Trubitt represented her uncle, Private First Class Sadao Munemori (100th Battalion, Able Company) , who, until 2000, when 19 Distinguished Service Crosses and 1 Silver Star were upgraded, was the only Japanese American World War II Medal of Honor recipient. A grenade struck his helmet, and he threw himself upon it to protect his two comrades. This is what the Purple Heart signifies — unwavering courage and selfless sacrifice. Spc. 5 Dennis Fujii, Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, poses in front of the Medal of Honor display at the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Clubhouse. This past week on KITV news, Jai Cunningham aired two segments featuring the 100th Infantry Battalion and the upcoming documentary, "The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha." Hawaii’s World War II soldiers inspires documentary on 100th Infantry Battalion [Courtesy: KITV News] Jai opened the first broadcast with a striking clip of the 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building, with the Purple Heart City sign prominently displayed in the foreground. He remarked, “You could not have a more appropriate sign in front of a more deserving building." And why is that? Because the Hawaii-born unit of the 100th Infantry Battalion became known during World War II as "The Purple Heart Battalion." Documentary explores Hawaii's 100th Battalion WWII sacrifices and valor [Courtesy: KITV News] Honolulu became a Purple Heart City in 2024, when Mayor Blangiardi signed the bill into law. The designation was celebrated with a special ceremony in August 2025, during which Purple Heart City signs were unveiled at key locations throughout Honolulu, marking the city’s commitment to honor Purple Heart recipients and recognize those wounded or killed in service. [See: https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/city-installs-signs-around- oʻahu -honoring-purple-heart-recipients/ ] Mayor Blangiardi shared a heartfelt personal message, noting that all of his uncles served during World War II. He said he has always had a real respect and reverence for our military, but even more so for those who were injured in the line of duty, and for those who sacrificed their lives. He emphasized the bravery and courage required of such service. The Mayor stated that recognizing Honolulu, and units like the 100th Infantry Battalion with a Purple Heart City sign, is long overdue — especially since the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team are one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history. Mayor Blangiardi gave credit to longtime friend, Colonel Edward Cruickshank (President of the Oahu Veterans Council; Commander of the Rainbow Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart) for forwarding the idea of making Honolulu a Purple Heart City. In the December 22, 2025 dedication ceremony held in front of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Clubhouse, Mayor Blangiardi said, “having the opportunity to make our city a Purple Heart City for me is almost some kind of poetry, so I’m just really grateful that we're able to do this, and I'm very proud on behalf of all of you — And knowing the story behind this building here, and this incredible history, you know we get to pay respect to the past, but this is really for future generations as well.” 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) President Kathi Hayashi, "The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha" Producer/Director Steve Sue, and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, at the Purple Heart City sign dedication ceremony. [ Photo courtesy: Clyde Sugimoto ] The Hawaii-born 100th Infantry Battalion was the first Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) segregated unit to serve in Europe, followed by the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In September 1943, the 100th landed at Salerno, Italy, with approximately 1,300 men. In just five months, following the Battle of Monte Cassino, their numbers were reduced to only about 460 soldiers able to fight due to those killed in action and those severely wounded. In that same short period, the 100th transformed the perception of the American media —from a unit viewed with disdain, discrimination, and distrust into one recognized as proud, fierce American soldiers. This earned them the moniker “The Purple Heart Battalion,” having received 1,703 Purple Hearts among 3,147 soldiers. Director Steve Sue noted that 98% of the original 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) were from Hawaii, and he expressed his excitement in sharing their legacy and how they spread Aloha in ways that are still remembered and revered more than 80 years later. He added that "The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha" film is projected for release in the spring of 2026, in conjunction with the 250th birthday of America. Mahalo to Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the City and County of Honolulu for the Purple Heart City sign honoring the 100th Infantry Battalion " One Puka Puka " — The Purple Heart Battalion.

On December 9, 2025, representatives from the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) were invited to the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu for the 2025 Foreign Minister’s Commendation Conferment Ceremony. It was an honor to accept the Commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for Club 100’s role in establishing mutual understanding between Japan and Hawaii, as well as the USA. 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) representatives and 100th/442nd veteran Dr. Takashi Manago (Able Co.) , with Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Hideaki Chotoku, and former First Lady Jean Ariyoshi. [Photo by: Clyde Sugimoto] President Kathi Hayashi accepted the Commendation from Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Hideaki Chotoku, expressing appreciation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi and former minister Takeshi Iwaya. She also thanked  Consul General Hideaki Chotoku and former Consul General Yoshinori Kodama and staff for the hard work to prepare the documentation, justification and testimony to be granted this coveted award, one of 51 granted worldwide in 2025. 2025 Foreign Minister's Certificate of Commendation received by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100). Provisional English Translation: The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans has made significant contributions to fostering mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, thereby enhancing friendship and goodwill between Japan and other nations. I wish to extend my deepest respect to you and formal recognition for your commendable achievements. This commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is significant because it recognizes 80 years of dedicated work by Club 100 members to foster healing, promote peace, and collaborate toward mutual understanding and Aloha between Japan and the United States.   Immediately after the end of WWII, Club 100 members started fundraising to help post war victims in Japan. They helped to send clothing, food, and one member – 100th veteran Thomas “Taro” Higa successfully led an effort to send 550 breeding pigs to Okinawa to restart their pork industry to feed the people. 100th veteran Dr. Katsumi Kometani was instrumental in making it possible for Japan to be readmitted to the Olympic Games. The veterans participated in Kuakini Hospital’s Honolulu Heart Program, which studied the effect of diet on Japanese men living in Hawai‘i and Japan. It is one of the longest studies and has resulted in the world benefiting from knowledge on stroke, heart attack, cholesterol, stress and other factors.   Representatives from Japan reached back to foster mutual recognition of the importance of peace. Singer Hibari Misora came to Hawai‘i and helped raise funds for the 100th veterans to build their 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building (Clubhouse) to fulfill their mission “For Continuing Service.” We’ve been honored with many dignitaries from Japan visiting our Clubhouse to pay respect to the men of the 100th.   In 2018, Taro Kono, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense of Japan visited and established bonds with the 100th.   In May 2024, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara took time from his busy schedule meeting with Ministers from the USA, Australia and the Philippines to visit the 100th Clubhouse, where we shared information and together prayed with the lighting of senko . These acts of kindness, like this Commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, mean so much and we feel even more passion to work together toward peace and understanding.   Currently, we are happy to receive many visitors from Japan, like the recent visit by students of the Nagaoka International Exchange Association that visited last Friday. They shared excellent presentations about the 100th soldiers and peace initiatives. We were also blessed to receive and make friends with “ hibakusha ,” who share their suffering so this never happens again.   To keep the 100th legacy alive, we work with students on our educational program, Legacy2Action in partnership with Central Pacific Bank, the UH Center on Aging and ʻIolani School. Students identify a problem facing Hawaiʻi and using the high-performance values of the 100th ( Giri, Gaman, Ganbari , etc.) create a community service solution.   We are also working with Director Steve Sue on a documentary about the 100th, 442nd and 522nd called, “The 100TH, Seeds of Aloha.”   Our hearts are filled with hope that we can continue to help one another and work in harmony.