The Uncommon Valor of Nisei Veterans : WWII: Japanese Americans valiantly fought for their country, despite the indignities visited upon their kin.

Even though most of the formal observances associated with the 50th anniversary of World War II are now over, an event I am attending today here in Los Angeles deserves attention as a bittersweet reminder of human frailty and courage. Being honored are the Japanese American veterans of that era, a group whose motives defied the prejudices visited upon their kin and who rose to unparalleled heights of military distinction.

The unique contribution of Japanese American servicemen to the war effort was in stark contrast to the now well-documented indignities that a well-meaning but blindly prejudicial government brought to their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. All of their liberties, rights and responsibilities of citizenship were suspended or placed beyond reach. All, that is, except one--military service.

By war’s end it was recorded that 33,000 Nisei had served in our armed forces. Most of them fought in segregated units in the European Theater, but many also saw duty in the Pacific as intelligence and support personnel. The legendary 442nd Regiment with its “Go for Broke” motto and a battalion of combat troops earned more than 9,000 Purple Heart medals and 18,000 other decorations, among the highest ratios of battle distinction ever achieved before or since.

As I prepared to speak to these graying survivors of that long-ago time, I could not help but be reminded of my own heritage as an African American veteran. My own forebears were also assembled in segregated units. By some twisted logic, people of color were deemed to be acceptable warriors only when assembled with their own kind. Like the Japanese Americans, they too were the victims of virulent racism, but even that could not suppress their love for this nation. Ultimately, and perhaps ironically, our military Establishment was among the first structures of our society to tear down such barriers.

Our government has since moved to make reparations for its tragic and demeaning policies toward Japanese Americans. But, I feel there is another form of atonement due, and I intend to make it. In my role as the nation’s principal veterans’ advocate and on behalf of the President, I want to let these Nisei of World War II know that they--all of them--were of uncommon valor. Their faith in this nation could have easily been abandoned, just as their families had been left to the rigors of internment. Yet, by the thousands, those brave young men put their country and its survival on a higher plane.

We can never consider that adequate sorrow and regret have been expressed for tearing these people from roots put down in American soil. Nor can we find words that truly measure up to the deeds of valor, courage and sacrifice that mark the service of these Japanese American veterans. But I intend to try.