Go for Broke!

The motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was “go for broke.” It’s a gambling term that means risking everything on one great effort to win big. The soldiers of the 442nd needed to win big. They were Nisei - American-born sons of Japanese immigrants. They fought two wars: the Germans in Europe and the prejudice in America.

1) Who were the ‘Nisei?’ 

 2) What was the motto of the 442nd? What did it mean? 

 3) How were the ‘Buddhaheads’ different from the ‘Katonks?’ What was the origin of these nicknames? 

 4) When were the 442nd finally sent to fight?    Where did they go? 

 5) Why did the General order the 442nd to advance without reasonable support, and without protection? Did Dahlquist use the Nisei more ruthlessly than the other American troops?

6) Would you have joined the 442nd and risked your life for a country that had discriminated against you?

7) Were theses soldiers ever recognized for their service?

8) Were they ever considered 'equals' by their countrymen?