Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama and guests applaud at a ceremony honoring some dedicated World War II veterans, Tuesday, October 5, 2010
An emotional and awe-inspiring ceremony at the White House yesterday. In the Oval Office, President Barack Obama signed legislation granting a collective Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their dedicated service during World War II.
Many of those veterans are second-generation Japanese Americans. Some of them were confined in internment camps before joining the military. The 442nd Regimental Team is one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history, with among its awards 21 Medals of Honor, 4,000 Bronze Stars, and over 4,000 Purple Hearts.
Several Southlanders, including World War II veteran Osamu “Sam” Fujikawa, attended the White House affair. More on the ceremony and the bravery of the soldiers in those units on the White House blog here.
