USPS Unveils “Go For Broke” Stamps Honoring Japanese American WWII Veterans
June 06, 2021
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently unveiled the new "Go For Broke" commemorative stamp honoring World War II veterans representing the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442 Regimental Combat Team from Kauai.
The "Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of World War II" stamp honors the second-generation Japanese Americans, or Nisei, who fought during the war and faced heavy discrimination in the U.S.
The stamp features a member of the combat team, Shiroku "Whitey" Yamamoto from the Big Island; it was designed by Antonio Alcala, based on a photograph taken in 1944.
It is a historical moment for the Japanese American community. This marks the first U.S. Postal stamp to feature an Asian American soldier and brings recognition to about 33,000 Japanese American soldiers who fought in the U.S. Army during World War II.
The Go For Broke stamps reminded us of a few informational pieces on World War II from our friends at Home of Heroes and Veterans Radio. Read more below.
Home of Heroes - "Go For Broke"
The greatest degree of courage comes out of adversity. Rising from the pain of prejudice, American citizens of Japanese heritage demonstrated their love for their country in World War II with unprecedented patriotism and valor.
Within weeks of the first attack from Imperial Japan, Lieutenant General Delos C. Emmons discharged all Japanese Americans from the Hawaiian Territorial Guard and the 298th and 299th Reigments of the National Guard of Hawaii. The young men who had the most to prove, the greatest reason to fight for their homeland, were denied the chance to serve.
However, on May 26, 1942, General George C. Marshall established the Hawaiian Provisional Battalion, among the returning military service members were many young Nisei that had been summarily discharged after Pearl Harbor.
Overall, 1,300 were selected to ship out on June 5th under the guidance of 29 white officers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Farrant Turner. By mid-June, the unit was attached to the 2nd Army at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and preparing for six months of basic training. The Hawaiian Provisional Battalion was redesignated the 100th Infantry Battalion. The battalion's motto:
"Remember Pearl Harbor"
Veterans Radio - WWII Nisei Veterans
A forgotten piece of history is discussed in this 2020 Veterans Radio Podcast: Japanese Americans fought proudly in World War II, even though the United States interned its citizens.
Shane Sato, a professional photographer from Los Angeles, has spent 20 years capturing portraits of over 200 such men and one woman veteran. The stoic pride shines in his portraits, it's something the Japanese American community is proud of, and something the larger U.S. population should know about.
Sato discusses the "Go For Broke Spirit" of these men, the resulting two books, and lessons learned with host Jim Fausone.