—As
the "tank-killers" that helped pave the way for many an Allied victory,
an Anti-Tank Company of the courageous 442nd Japanese-American Infantry Regiment
is biding its time in the French Alps along the France – Italian border until it
can take another swipe
at the enemy.
Holding
defensive positions in the towering Alps along Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers' 6th Army
Group front, the Anti-Tank Company could easily rest on its laurels—but it isn't.
In some parts of the Vosges Mountains near the German border — where the snow
and wooded terrain made tank warfare impossible—its men were pressed into
service as litterbearers, ammunition and supply carriers, and even as front-line
infantrymen.
A
similar situation exists in the French Alps, where these self-styled "tank-killers"
are contributing
greatly in hazardous mountain warfare.
After
the successful drive northward in Italy, the company was attached to an Airborne
Taskforce for the invasion of Southern France. On D-day it was towed over the coast
of France in two teams of 18 and 26 gliders, and released. Despite an unexpected dispersal
of gliders in the landings, the first guns were placed ready for action in less
than an hour. For two days it held its position until it was relieved by the Seaborne
Divisions which pushed inland and made contact.
Every
member of the Anti-Tank Company wears the Combat Infantryman's Badge for exemplary
conduct under enemy fire and the Glider Badge for action as Gliderborne
Troops.
Members
of the Anti-Tank Company include the following:
Poston Relocation Center:
Pfc.
Yoshio Hamada, 28-11-D
Pfc.
Hiroshi Takeda, 42-4-D
Sgt.
Matauo Kobayashi, 39-9-C
Pvt.
Yoshio Shiotani, 37-3-B
S/Sgt.
David K. Ogawa, 222-6-A
Pfc
Saburo J. Mochizuki, 3-6-B
Pfc.
Nobukazu W. Kuwada,308-12-D
Pfc.
Albert T. Kizuka, 19-4-A
T/Sgt.
Hisaji B. Hamamoto, 19-11-D
Pfc. Tetsu J. Uyechi, 54-7-B
Source:
Pacific Citizen, Saturday, March 10, 1945, page 6
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