442nd Infantry Guarding Italy

The German surrender in Italy had heralded the beginning of the end of the war in Europe, but the complete victory in Europe came only when the unconditional surrender became official at 0001 May 9, 1945. The 442nd Combat Team received word of VE-day with very little in the way of demonstration. It was with more of a sigh that the regiment put its arms down—a very tired sigh of relief that it was all over in Europe and the long chase was ended. So many had died —along the River Arno, in the cold dismal Vosges Forests and the Maritime Alps in France, and on the rocky crags of the Apennines. Victory had not been cheap. The 442nd Infantry Regiment had contributed to its...