Title:

Pfc. Thomas Higa, 28-year-old Japanese-American veteran of the campaign in Italy and a proud member of the famous 100th Infantry Battalion. Higa was wounded in the Battle of Cassino and is now on a lecture tour which will carry him from coast to coast. The 100th Infantry has an enviable record. Of the 1300 men, 1020 have received Purple Hearts. There are also 44 Silver Stars, 31 Bronze Stars, 9 Distinguished Service Crosses, 3 Legion of Merit Medals and 2 Presidential Unit Citations. Fifteen enlisted men have received battle field commissions after displaying outstanding leadership in combat. They were cited by the War Department as the most distinguished single unit. In this all Japanese-American outfit there have been no cases of desertion or of AWOL. The 100th Infantry is a part of more than 15,000 Japanese Americans serving in the U.S. Army. Many are in action in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations and have received citations. General Mark Clark in awarding the Unit Citation declared, You boys have always been thinking of your country before yourselves . . . for your proud accomplishments in battle, you deserve the gratitude of the American people. -- Photographer: Mace, Charles E. -- Denver, Colorado. 9/9/44

Contributing Institution:

The Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley.