A full and complete WW2 movie in very good quality; its been in the public domain for some time, so there are no copyright problems with sharing this film; this film is rather unique in that six of the stars are actual WW2 veterans of the units depicted in the film; the film is the story of the famed and highly honored 442nd/100th Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated units of its size in US Army history (18,000 medals and/or awards and seven Presidential Unit Citations in two years of service), with 21 of its members awarded Congressional Medals of Honor, and the whole unit (with the Nisei US Army Military Intelligence Service (MIS) members received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service; one of the Nisei, Daniel Inouye, went on, after the War, to become a highly respected US Senator; his actions during a key mission were highly courageous and honorable, but, due to racial animus in the higher rankings of the US military, he didn't receive recognition for his actions even though officers (non-Nisei) repeatedly put in recommendations he be awarded the Medal of Honor; it wasn't until decades afterward, when there was a public effort to right the discriminatory actions of military command during the War, that Inouye was awarded the MoH in 2000; this is the text of his MoH citation:
Quote:
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy.While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
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What the citation does not mention is that when Inouye's right arm was shattered he was holding a grenade in his right hand; he pried the grenade out of his mangled hand with his left hand, primed and threw the grenade at an enemy nest; Senator Inouye always seemed like a mild mannered guy, but he was a bit of a badass...
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