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The 442nd Regimental Combat Team:

Formation and Early fighting...

The 100th Battalion continued to fight in Italy into 1944. They fought bravely, but suffered heavy casualties. The Nisei of the 100th Battalion joined other US forces defending the Anzio beachhead, and remained fighting in the area until May 1944 when they took part in the push for Rome. They were halted a mere 10 miles from the city, possibly to allow non-Nisei soldiers to liberate Rome.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team (less the 1st Battalion most of which had already been sent as replacements for the 100th Battalion) landed at Anzio on 10 June 1944 and joined the 100th Battalion in Civitavecchia north of Rome. The 100th Battalion then became officially part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, but kept its unit designation as recognition of its distinguished fighting record.

The combined unit continued in the push up Italy, before joining the invasion of southern France.  

They took part in the fighting to liberate Bruyeres in south France, and famously rescued the "Lost Battalion" at Biffontaine (in the Vosges Mountains). Over a five-days (26 October to 30 October 1944) the 442nd fought to rescue the surrounded 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment (U.S. 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard). During the rescue of the 211 members of the Texas battalion the Nisei suffered over 800 casualties, a little under half its strength.

On the march in Italy


Last Updated On Wednesday, March 30, 2011 by Wayne at Battlefront