Overdue honors for WWII fighters from Woodland

From the Daily Democrat: Overdue honors for WWII fighters from Woodland
What was it like being in a World War II combat unit which had a 93 percent casualty rate? That U.S. Army unit was the famous Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat team.

Three surviving members of the 442nd from Woodland and Esparto will be honored Wednesday with the presentation of Special Congressional Recognition Awards by Congressman Wally Herger. They are George Yoshio Nakamura, age 93, Yorio Aoki, 91, and John Hatanaka, 92. State Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada will also take part in the presentation.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history, including earning an unprecedented eight Presidential Unit Citations. And as can be expected, Nakamura, Aoki and Hatanaka have stories to tell from first receiving a draft classification "enemy alien" (even though they were born in California) to heroically fighting for their country in Italy and France.

A 1936 graduate of Woodland High School, Nakamura began his Army service in February 1942, just months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After assignments to an Army company were made in Italy for recent arrivals, only Nakamura and George Noda, who had lived on a farm near Branigan's Turkey Farm in Woodland, were left with no unit designation. Finally, Nakamura was told to report to Sgt. Daniel Inouye, who is now a U. S. Senator from Hawaii. Nakamura fondly recalls Inouye as a good leader.

Another memory, Nakamura came upon Yorio Aoki at the French Maginot Line. Nakamura, after graduating from Woodland High School, had hauled tomatoes for Yorio Aoki's father.

A 1939 graduate of Woodland High School, Yorio Aoki's overseas service started quite comfortably, being transported to Europe on the Queen Mary. But there was no shuffleboard, just anticipation of what was to come. Aoki's service was rewarded with a promotion to technical sergeant.

Hatanaka was born in the Capay Valley. He graduated from Esparto High School in 1937. He was released from a detention camp in Colorado to serve in the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Similar to Nakamura and Aoki, Hatanaka served first in Italy, then was transferred to France to fight to stop the German Army's counteroffensive, which culminated in the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's attempt to turn the tide of World War II. The three returned to Italy with the 442nd in March 1945 to attempt to break through the German's Gothic Line.

The Gothic Line was a fortification along the top of the Apennine Mountains, extending 750 miles. The Gothic Line was drilled into solid rock, reinforced with concrete, in which was placed gun pits, trenches and 2,376 machine gun nests. Knocking the German Army out of there would test the Japanese-Americans of the 442nd Regimental Combat team.

In April 1945, the 442nd were to be used as a diversionary force on the left flank. This entailed walking over numerous mountains in their path. "I think I walked through every mountain range in Italy," John Hatanaka jokes. He is not too far off, as there were ten mountains in front of the 442nd. Nakamura, Aoki and Hatanaka still remember the treacherous freezing cold mountains of Italy.

Instead of being a diversionary force as planned, the 442nd under the cover of night fall, moved into position and by 5 a.m. on April 5, 1945 they were ready to strike.

The order came to attack and in just over a half hour later, mountain objectives "Georgia" and Mt Folgorita were taken, finally cracking the Gothic Line. The 442nd advance was so quick that supply units had a hard time keeping up with the advancing units. Hatanaka still remembers their rations brought up by mule. By April 25, the 442nd had cut off the German retreat, forcing them to surrender. This was the final military action of the 442nd with the war in Italy ending on May 2, 1945.

Unfortunately, Nakamura was severely wounded in Italy by a German sniper. He remains partially disabled.

All are invited to Woodland VFW Post 1985's hall at 345 West Kentucky Ave. for the 4 p.m., Wednesday, award presentation.