| Original caption: “American citizens, born in the Hawaiian Islands of unquestioned loyalty and patriotism. Formerly part of the Hawaii National Guard: Deep in a camouflaged sector Private Takeshi Omuro fires a machine gun as Private Kentoku Nakasone feeds the cartridge belt to the weapon.” Both Japanese American members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company C. Kentoku Nakasone (November 4, 1920 – November 2, 2004) was promoted to Sergeant and earned the Purple Heart. On October 22, 1943, at Sant’Angelo d’Alife, Kentoku Nakasone saw his wounded platoon sergeant lying out in the open unable to protect himself. With another soldier, Platoon Sgt. Louis Sakamoto (August 12, 1913 – October 23, 1943), who was killed in action, Nakasone left his foxhole, crossed through bursting shells and brought his leader back. He was a diesel mechanic after the war. Private 1st Class Takeshi “Topsy” Omuro (October 9, 1916 – November 21, 2006) owned a gas station in Kahului, Hawaii after the war. Training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, lasted 6 months, facing discrimination from white soldiers and forced to sleep in tents until barracks were allocated to the battalion. On 6 January 6, 1943, the 100th Battalion was transferred to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The 100th was attached to the 85th Infantry Division under Major General Wade Haislip (July 9, 1889 – December 23, 1971) and would receive even tougher training than they did at Camp McCoy. Upon arrival at Camp Shelby the 100th received the same amount of skepticism as they did at McCoy. The 100th successfully passed the training exercises. At Camp Shelby, the 100th received its most intense and advanced training and then was sent to Camp Clairborne, Louisiana for field exercises and war games. On return from Camp Clairborne, the 100th met up with the newly formed 442nd Regimental Combat Team on July 16. On July 20, 1943, the 100th received its battalion colors and motto, “Remember Pearl Harbor,” as requested by the unit. After training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the battalion deployed from Shelby on August 11, by train to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and then to the Mediterranean on August 21, 1943. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2230.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.71 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5248 x 4204 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 1, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | Camp Shelby |
| State or Province | Mississippi |
| Country | United States |
| Archive | United States Army Center of Military History |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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