Following the footsteps of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Italy and France
On September 6, 2024, 16 members of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) tour to visit 100th Infantry Battalion related sites in Italy and France, gathered in Rome, Italy. Our main tour was from September 6 - 19, and included stops at Cassino – Rome to Arno – Gothic Line – Champagne Campaigns. There were six of us who joined a tour extension from September 20 - 21 to visit the Vosges in Northern France after the main tour.
Although it is impossible to share everything we learned, felt, experienced and shared on this trip back in time – 1943 to 1945, to the battlefields of Italy and France, we will try our best to share the highlights of the trip. This trip coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberations of 1944, and at times it was a physical and emotional overload, but we all came through it wiser, stronger and driven to spread the word about the 100th and 442nd. Please visit our trip album on our official 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (100th IBV) Facebook page, where we posted photos and a historical travel journal throughout our journey on the tour.
Club 100 Tour to Italy and France members explore Rome, prior to the start of the main tour.
In response to the Club 100 Battlefields Tour of Italy and France announcement in the Puka Puka Parade, 14 members and 2 guests chose to invest the money and time to see the places the Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) fought for our freedom and civil rights. We also met and “broke bread” with villagers that have never forgotten what the Nisei did to liberate their villages and share Aloha, that is still alive even after eight decades have passed.
Our tour leader and owner of Nisei Legacy Tours – Nora De Bievre, is most knowledgeable and passionate about Nisei history, physically strong, and most caring. We highly recommend Nisei Legacy Tours for those of you interested in a 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team historical tour. Our Club 100 tour coordinator – Greg Kuwasaki [son of Eddie Kuwazaki (D)], provided his leadership and work to keep us organized and informed throughout our planning process and travel.
The group of 16 Club 100 tour members included descendants of 11 men who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion. Eight of these 11 men were original members of the 100th, including Isaac Akinaka (HQ/Medics) - son Bruce Akinaka, Fred Hosokawa (HQ) - daughters Gail Awakuni and Anne Shirai, Tokuichi Hayashi (A) - daughter Kathi Hayashi, Masanobu Eugene Kawakami (A) - granddaughter Amy Kwong, George Yamamoto (A) - daughter Charlotte Unni, Haruto Soma (C) - daughter Jean and son-in-law Glenn Imada, Wallace Seiko Chinen (D) - daughter Joyce Chinen (with friend, Suzanne Falgout), and Joichi Muramatsu (100th Inf Bn Co. B & MIS) - daughter Joyce Doi. Also in our group were Dr. Eric Tsukamoto [son of John Tsukamoto (442nd 2nd Bn, Co. E & 100th/442nd HQ)], Greg & Marcy Kuwasaki [son and daughter-in-law of Eddie Yoshiharu Kuwazaki (100th/442nd, Co. D)], Art Nakayama [son of Katsumi Nakayama (100th/442nd, Co. D)], and Stephen Chinen [family member of Zenhatsu (Jenhatsu) Chinen (442nd 2nd Bn, Co. E)], who was killed in action in July 1944, during the intense battle of Hill 140.
Honestly, these were the best travel partners anyone could ask for. We laughed, cried and supported each other as brothers and sisters. We are so fortunate that the 100th men saved $2 out of their $30 average monthly paycheck to build a Clubhouse and establish Club 100 to bond and care for each other, to honor those killed and care for their family, and to give back to Hawaii – “ For Continuing Service.” These bonds are still strong in our Club 100 family.
Visiting the American cemeteries administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission
Visiting with Major John “Jack” Johnson Jr. (HQ) at ABMC Sicily-Rome cemetery.
We visited three American cemeteries administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) – Sicily-Rome, Florence, and Épinal. Huge MAHALO to friend of Club 100, Carol (Abe) Sullivan, who donated 75 red, white, and blue yarn lei she personally crafted. We presented lei to 34 fallen soldiers of the 100th and 442nd, who are memorialized or laid to rest where they fell on European soil. The remaining lei were lovingly received by people we met on our trip, who were so generous with their time, knowledge, and love to greet us warmly, feed us, and make lifelong connections.
At the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, located at the northern edge of the city of Nettuno, which is about 4 km south of Anzio and 60 km south of Rome, we paid our respects to the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion who lost their lives Italy between November 1943 and June 1944. Fallen comrades of the 100th laid to rest at the cemetery are 2nd Lt. Kurt Schemel (100th Inf Bn, Co. E), 1st Lt. Neill Ray (100th Inf Bn, Co. D), 2nd Lt. Lewis Key (100th Inf Bn, Co. A), Maj. John “Jack” Johnson (100th Inf Bn, HQ), and 2nd Lt. Edward Moran (100th Inf Bn, Co. B). We also visited the Wall of the Missing where Pvt. Toshio Sasano (100th Inf Bn, Co. A), 2nd Lt. Daniel Anderson (100th Inf Bn, Co. B ), and Pvt. Sunao T. Kuwahara (100th Inf Bn., Co. C) are memorialized.
Paying our respects to the men of the 100th laid to rest or memorialized at ABMC Sicily-Rome cemetery.
At the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, we paid our respects to the 13 men of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who are laid to rest there. We were met by guides at the cemetery and received an informative presentation on the history Florence during World War II, and the Florence American Cemetery. We then walked the beautiful cemetery grounds and paid our respects at the final resting places of the 4 men of the 100th and 9 men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who are laid to rest at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial. We took a group photo by PFC Noboru Miyoko (Co. B ), who was killed in action during the fight to break the Gothic Line on April 14, 1945. His brother, T/Sgt. Mitsuru Miyoko (100th Bn, Co. A) is buried at the American cemetery in Epinal, France.
Paying our respects to PFC Noboru Miyoko (100th Inf Bn, Co. B).
Fallen comrades of the 100th laid to rest at the cemetery are 2nd Lt. Edward Sweitzer (100th Inf Bn, Co. B), 1st Lt. Takagi Boon (100th Inf Bn, Co. C), PFC Noboru Miyoko (100th Inf Bn, Co. B), and PFC Charlie Fujiki (100th Inf Bn, Co. C).
Soldiers laid to rest at the cemetery from the 442nd are 2nd Lt. Fred Fritzmeier, PFC Benjamin Ogata, PVT Clifford Hana, PFC John Yamamoto, PVT Jimmie Taketa, PFC Setsuro Yamashita, 2nd Lt. Ralph Potter, PFC Robert Kishi, and PFC Tadao Hayashi.
Paying our respects to the men of the 100th laid to rest or memorialized at ABMC Florence cemetery.
The six of us who went on the tour extension to the Vosges, visited the Épinal American Cemetery and Memorial and paid their respects to the men of the 100th/442nd who lost their lives in France. We were joined by Cyril Toussaint, who part of a group who cares for the gravesites of the men laid to rest at the cemetery, and a friend of Club 100.
Cyril Toussaint and the members of the tour extension to the Vosges, visit S/Sgt. Tomosu Hirahara (100th Bn, Medics).
Fallen comrades of the 100th laid to rest at the cemetery are T/Sgt. Mitsuru Miyoko (100th Bn, Co. A), S/Sgt. Tomosu Hirahara (100th Bn, Medics), Pfc. Yoshio Tengwan (100th Bn, Co. C), and Pfc. Edward Ogawa (100th Bn, Co. C). We honored Pfc. Yoshio Tengwan who was killed in action near Bruyères nearly 80 years ago on October 15, 1944, with two lei from his family in Hawaii.
Paying our respects to the men of the 100th laid to rest or memorialized at ABMC Épinal cemetery.
Touring the Battlesites of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Sant’Angelo d’Alife area (October - November 1943) – With Monte Cassino in view, we toured sites of battles that occurred prior to the battle for Monte Cassino. We stopped along Biffontaine Road at the Rapido River monuments, and take a photo by the famous monument provided by the city of Biffontaine (Vosges, France), where the 100th Battalion, with the 442nd RCT, fought in October 1944. The plaques on the monument state that it was donated by the Town of Biffontaine, Vosges, France, and inaugurated on May 20, 1990, “to the memory and honor of the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion United States Army 5th Allied Army 2nd World War.”
We get a glimpse of the swiftly moving Rapido River we read about in history books and viewed in movies. In our mind’s eye, we see the mud, mines, barbed wire and enemy gunfire our men endured in their first taste of combat, and heartache of watching their buddies die.
At the Rapido River monuments, along Biffontaine Road in Frosinone, Italy.
At the Winterline War Museum in Venafro, we were happy to meet Luciano Bucci, who, through our Facebook page, has shared with us his amazing knowledge and ability to pinpoint locations of our historic photographs taken of the 100th in late 1943. The museum is a must-see for its collection and displays of WWII artifacts.
At the War Museum Winterline Venafro with Luciano Bucci and tour leader, Nora De Bievre.
Monte Cassino and Castle Hill (January - February 1944) – We visited the beautiful, reconstructed Abbey and observed the oppressive environment where the Nazis positioned themselves near the Abbey, with a clear view of the Nisei on low ground attempting their approach. The Abbey was part of the Gustav Line, where Germans attempted to prevent the Allies from liberating Italy.
The 100th suffered tremendous casualties – they landed in Salerno with a force of around 1,300 on September 22, 1943. After the Battle for Monte Cassino, they reported an effective strength of about 460 men due to those killed in action or being wounded. After only 5 months of combat, war correspondents began to refer to the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) as “The Purple Heart Battalion.” When we visited the Sicily-Rome cemetery, we noted many men were killed between January-February 1944 – fighting a ground battle that ultimately resulted in the Allies using air power to destroy the enemy and the Abbey.
At the Monte Cassino abbey, and view from our hotel.
The monastery of Monte Cassino, founded by Saint Benedict in 529 AD, was almost completely destroyed in World War II, but was restored following the war. In the Saint Martin of Tours chapel at the abbey are stained-glass windows, donated by various nations, including the American window which depicts St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict, and the 100th Infantry Battalion Coat of Arms. Also included is the Latin word, “pax,” symbolizing peace from the men who survived the battles in the war. Funds for the window were donated by the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization (Club 100), with the support of the 100th Infantry Battalion veterans as well as families and friends of the 100th men. The window was officially recognized and blessed by the Abbot of the Monte Cassino Abbey in May 1991.
For those of us who know how honored the 100th veterans felt to be offered the opportunity to have their unit represented on the American window, have heard so much about the stained-glass window over the years, or remember our families donating to the fund, it was a breathtaking moment to be able to see it in person.
Stained glass American window at the Monte Cassino abbey with 100th Infantry Battalion insignia at the top.
Anzio and Rome (March - June 1944) – We visited Rome and stopped in Anzio, where following Monte Cassino, replacements from the 442nd at Camp Shelby were transferred to join the original members of the 100th Infantry Battalion in combat. We visited the Monument for the Fallen of World War I and World War II in Anzio, which honors the soldiers and civilians of Anzio who gave their lives to defend their country.
At the Monument for the Fallen of World War I and World War II in Anzio.
Belvedere (June 1944) – We learned of the actions that earned the 100th Infantry Battalion (Sep) its first Presidential Unit Citation (PUC; originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation). We were warmly welcomed by Roberto Simoncini, who is another friend from our Facebook page. It was wonderful to be able to see him in person. Thank you to Roberto for showing us his World War II Nisei artifacts, sharing his stories, and for the delicious course lunch, including a beautifully done custom cake with the 100th and 442nd insignias.
Visit and luncheon in Belvedere with Roberto Simoncini.
We spent a good part of the day in Belvedere, Suvereto for a meaningful visit, and took a photo with a plaque from the Municipality of Suvereto and the Friends & Family of Nisei Veterans that honors the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT, and the sacrifices they made in the fight in the village of Belvedere in June 1944 for the liberation of Suvereto and Italy from the Germans.
Group photo with plaque that honors the 100th and 442nd.
Hill 140 / “Little Cassino” and Livorno (July 1944) – We hiked up Hill 140, also known as “Little Cassino,” because similar to the situation had been when the 100th Infantry Battalion fought at Monte Cassino, it had been heavily seeded with land mines and was fully secured by the German troops who had extensive visibility of the Allied forces from their positions high above. We reflected on the heavy resistance by the Germans as the 100th and 442nd engaged in heavy battle to control access to the seaport of Leghorn (Livorno). Thank you to Damiano Bartoletti and Toscana ‘44 for taking the time to show us the terrain, markers, foxholes, and more on Hill 140, and for the WWII battle reenactment in uniform. Along the strenuous hike, they helped us every step of the way.
Hiking with Toscana ‘44 at Hill 140.
We attended a gathering in Vada, hosted by ANPI (L’Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d’Italia) President Giacomo Luppichini (Rosignano branch) and President Patrizia Cotta (Cecina branch), with the Mayor of Vada and members of the community. We headed to the location in Vada where the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd RCT paraded enroute to the ceremony on July 27, 1944, where then-Lt. Gen. Mark Clark presented the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) with its first PUC for its outstanding performance of duty in action on June 26 and 27 in the vicinity of Belvedere and Sassetta.
Posing where the parade took place in Vada in 1944.
Bruyères and Vosges (September - October 1944) – Those of us on the Vosges extension group visited the monuments at Hill 555. In 1947, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) presented a plaque honoring the men of the 442nd RCT, including the 100th Battalion, and the city of Bruyères built a stone monument in the Helledraye forest to display it. The monument honors the men of the 100th/442nd, most of whom were Americans of Japanese ancestry, who liberated the area from the German forces in October 1944.
The plaque reads, “To the men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army, who reaffirmed an historic truth here…that loyalty to one’s country is not modified by racial origin. These Americans, whose ancestors, were Japanese, on October 30, 1944 during the Battle of Bruyères broke the backbone of the German defenses and rescued the 141st Infantry Battalion which had been surrounded by the enemy for four days.”
We also visited The Torch Monument, unveiled in October 2017 by then-Mayor of Bruyères Yves Bonjean, and Carl Williams, at a beautiful ceremony. The monument features the torch of liberty, inspired by the 442nd RCT shoulder sleeve insignia.
At the Torch Monument.
We also visited the Knot of Friendship monument. The plaque notes that the monument was donated to the citizens of Bruyères by the 100th and 442nd clubs in Hawai‘i, and the 100th/442nd veterans association, USA. It was dedicated on October 16, 1994, on the 50th Anniversary of the battle of Bruyères.
Knot of Friendship monument.
Thank you to Marion Kieffer Ryś of the retirement home in Granges-Aumontzey, whose residents collaborated in a beautiful “ALOHA” musical community project with local children, to honor the Japanese-American soldiers.
Those of us with the Vosges tour extension group received a warm welcome of the smiling faces and beautiful voices of the residents, accompanied by musicians who performed Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī followed by the ALOHA song for us.
Also, our deep appreciation to Sébastien Roure, Claudie Fischer, Quentin Thiaville, and Cyril Toussaint (he found a mess kit that belonged to Katsumi Nakayama (D) and showed it to his son, Art Nakayama). Sébastien gifted the club with a beautiful wood carved plaque, coasters with unit insignias, and other items on display at the Clubhouse office. We enjoyed our time together, and are grateful for your friendship.
With Marion, Claudie, Sébastien, and the residents at the retirement home.
Southern France / L’Escarène (November 1944 - March 1945) – The 442nd RCT, including the 100th Battalion, fought in the Rhineland Campaign in the Maritime Alps sector along the French-Italian border, from late-November 1944, until its return to Italy in late-March 1945. The men held defensive positions, patrolling, and maintaining security of the French southern coast. The men referred to this as the “Champagne Campaign,” because they were able to spend their leaves in towns along the French Riviera. The 100th Battalion patrolled the area south of Sospel, from Menton on the Mediterranean Coast to Mt. Grammondo.
We were guided on a nice stroll through the old town of Menton, taking in the beautiful sights as we tried to visualize the 100th/442nd in Southern France during their time there nearly 80 years ago. We ended our tour with a group photo at the harbor monument which lists the units that participated in the liberation of Menton, including the 100th Battalion.
Touring Menton, France.
We visited L’Escarène, France, and stopped at the chapel where men of the 442nd RCT put together a Christmas party for the local children in December 1944. We were warmly greeted by Robert Giuge, coordinator of our L’Escarène visit.
With Robert Giuge at the chapel in L'Escarène.
Our next stop in L’Escarène was to the nearby middle school. A ceremony was held to unveil a new information panel, indicating that the street fronting the school is now named “AVENUE des COMBATTANTS NISEI 1944,” in honor of the 100th/442nd. The ceremony included an honor guard, playing of the national anthems of the USA and France, unveiling of the street name, and presentation of floral offerings. We were honored to meet so many distinguished guests, including Dr. Pierre Donadey, Mayor of L’Escarène, President Thierry Chevallier of Association France États-Unis (French-American) - French-Riviera & Monaco, school officials, and more.
Ceremony in L’Escarène.
We visited the local primary school, and were greeted by around 30 cheering 4th and 5th graders welcoming the descendants of their liberators at the top of their voices, waving flags of France and the USA. Wow, we were so touched that the elders have taught their children to honor and remember how the Nisei protected their town, and on Christmas day 1944, how the Nisei chose to have a party for the starving children and give up their rations, instead of holding a party for themselves. We met with the Zeller sister and their brother Maurice, who attended the party back in 1944. Thank you to Robert Giuge and all those involved with preparing for our visit and the wonderful lunch we shared.
Spending time with students at the local primary school.
Gothic Line (April 1945) – We visited the monument of Pfc Sadao Munemori of Company A, 100th Battalion, 442nd RCT, in Pietrasanta, presenting him with a lei. It was in Pietrasanta where in April 1945, the 100th Bn detrucked and began its march to climb to its line of departure on Mt. Cauala. Pfc Munemori had joined the 100th as a replacement from the 442nd RCT at Anzio, Italy in 1944, and was killed in action during the April 5, 1945 battle at the Gothic Line. Pfc Munemori was the only American soldier of Japanese ancestry (AJA) to be awarded a Medal of Honor for actions in World War II until the year 2000, when 20 AJA men received upgrades to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
With the statue of Pfc Sadao Munemori (A).
In San Terenzo, a small village in Fivizzano, we were allowed the opportunity to take part in a special ceremony, unveiling a new information panel in the village, with a bride on her way to her wedding. The panel shares the story of Stanley Hayami (442nd 2nd Bn, E Co.) who was killed in action in the town on April 23, 1945, providing a new opportunity to share the story of the liberation of the village by the 100th/442nd, with visitors to the area. Thank you to Mario Mariani, president of the Società di Mutuo Soccorso, and Roberto Oligeri, for organizing such a meaningful visit, and for their hard work and dedication towards perpetuating the stories of the 100th/442nd and World War II experiences.
Stanley Hayami panel unveiling ceremony.
It was so amazing to be at the formidable Mount Folgorito, where the Nazis were entrenched and shooting down at Allied forces, who had tried for 5 months to break through the “Gothic Line” guarding the entrance to the Po Valley – the last major segment of Italy still under German control. General Mark Clark called in the 100th/442nd as a secret weapon to achieve the objective. Instead of proceeding on the conventional path, they developed a creative plan to strike from the cliff side of the mountain, behind the German line in a surprise attack. The plan called for the 100th Battalion to attack frontally from the South, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions hit the enemy from the back, with a pincer movement. They achieved their objective, broke through the Gothic Line, and the war in Europe ended a month later on May 9, 1945. Six of us from the tour group took the challenge to climb the last portion of Mount Folgorito to reach the cross at its apex and view the trench where the Nazis were stationed.
Hiking at Mount Folgorito.
Thank you to Davide Del Giudice, Francesco Rocchi, Matteo Lombardo and the Linea Gotica Tirrenica, Selvaggio Pasquilio, and everyone who made our visit most memorable. We will always remember the kindness, delicious meals and camaraderie shared.
This private tour of 16 honoring the 80th Anniversary of the liberations of 1944 was most memorable. We were able to embrace the opportunity to interact with the people of the towns we visited, and appreciate the bonding we have with our Club 100 family. We are grateful for our travel companions who really embodied the Club 100 spirit of mutual support, camaraderie, and consideration of one another.
It goes without saying that we love the men of the 100th due to our bloodline connection. But after traveling half-way around the globe to Italy and France, we now know we share this love and admiration with the villagers that the 100th/442nd liberated from the tyranny of Nazi rule. They have done an excellent job of sharing the battle accomplishments and Aloha. We need to take a step forward to share with those in Hawaii and America about how the men of the 100th and 442nd took a stand 80 years ago, in Italy and France, to make a positive difference. Please write to info@100thibv.org, if you would like to help with the effort. -----
This article has been reprised from articles published on the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/100thIBV/) written by Amy Kwong [granddaughter of Masanobu Eugene Kawakami (100th Inf Bn, Able Co.)], and in the October 2024 Puka Puka Parade newsletter, written by Kathi Hayashi [daughter of Tokuichi Hayashi (100th Inf Bn, Able Co.)]. Back issues of the Puka Puka Parade can be viewed online, courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa eVols digitial repository — the most recent issues available to the public can be viewed here: https://hdl.handle.net/10524/66742. For more about the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Puka Puka Parade, please visit https://www.100thibv.org/post/puka-puka-parade-newsletter.
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