442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team SSI Patch

The 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team stands as one of the most extraordinary formations in United States military history, defined not only by battlefield achievement but by the circumstances under which it was formed. Activated during World War II, the unit was composed almost entirely of Japanese American soldiers—many of whom volunteered while their families were confined in internment camps at home. From its inception, the 442nd carried a burden beyond combat: the weight of proving loyalty to a nation that had questioned it.

Trained initially in the United States and deployed to the European Theater, the 442nd was assigned to some of the most demanding fighting of the war. Operating primarily in Italy and France, the regiment became known for taking on missions others considered too costly. Steep terrain, fortified positions, and entrenched enemy forces defined their operational environment, where progress was measured in yards and endurance was tested daily.

The unit’s defining moment came in the Vosges Mountains of France during the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” in 1944. Tasked with breaking through heavily defended German lines to reach a surrounded American unit, the 442nd advanced under relentless fire through dense forest and rugged ground. The cost was severe, but the mission was completed. The rescue became emblematic of the regiment’s determination and willingness to accept sacrifice to accomplish the objective.

The motto “Go for Broke” captured the spirit of the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team. Borrowed from Hawaiian slang, it reflected a mindset of total commitment—holding nothing back when the moment demanded everything. That ethos guided the regiment through repeated engagements, reinforcing a reputation for discipline, cohesion, and reliability under the most adverse conditions.

By the end of the war, the 442nd had become the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history. Its soldiers earned thousands of individual awards for valor, alongside numerous unit citations. Yet the regiment’s legacy extends beyond decorations. Its service challenged deeply held prejudices and reshaped perceptions of citizenship, loyalty, and belonging in America.

Within the United States Army, the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team occupies a unique place—remembered not just for tactical success, but for what its existence represented at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. The regiment demonstrated that service and sacrifice are not defined by ancestry, but by action.