Clippings
/ Clippings / Newspaper / Hattiesburg American / 442nd Soldiers Celebrate “I Am an American Day”
442nd Soldiers Celebrate “I Am an American Day”
From Hattiesburg American May 18, 1943
Japanese-American troops of the 442nd Combat Team celebrated “I Am an American Day” Sunday in their own regimental area with a special program extolling the advantages of citizenship and acknowledging its responsibilities.
By voluntarily enlisting for service in the combat team, these soldiers already have taken the first step to demonstrate their patriotism, but as citizens of Japanese ancestry they realize they are under close public scrutiny.
In the words of their commanding officer, Colonel Charles W. Pence, each one “is a symbol of the loyalty of the Japanese-American population both on the mainland and in Hawaii.”
The program, arranged by the two chaplains, included music and speeches by the representatives of officers and enlisted men of the organization. Company guidons were assembled around the speakers’ stand and a drum and bugle core enlivened the gathering.
Thus Tojo’s shrill claims of “united Asiatics” received a very decisive answer in the negative from the red clay banks and pine clad knolls of southern Mississippi.
Source Information
May 18, 1943
Page: 3
+ Hattiesburg American
Media Type: Newspaper
Place: Hattiesburg
State: Mississippi
Country: United States
The Hattiesburg American was founded in 1897 as a weekly newspaper, the Hattiesburg Progress.[2] In 1907, the Hattiesburg Progress was acquired by The Hattiesburg Daily News. When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, the newspaper was renamed the Hattiesburg American.
The Hattiesburg American was purchased by the Harmon family in the 1920s and was sold to the Hederman family in 1960.[2] Gannett acquired the newspaper in 1982.
Source Link: View Original Source
People mentioned in this clipping: Colonel Charles W. Pence