There's something odd about Opal lately that Jinora can't quite explain. Being a Beifong, Opal wasn't exactly an airbender material; brash, hotheaded, and short tempered despite her normal sweet and caring attitude. And although it was left unsaid, everyone seem to agree that if push come to shove, she would be the first to use violence.
Jinora didn't like it of course, but she did understand, with Opal being a Beifong and all and the fact that just last year her family was taken captive by a madwoman, Jinora could understand why Opal is the way she is.
Which is why she find it weird why she's completely relax when Juicy went missing.
It all started when Air Temple Island held its annual sky bison racing tournament, a long dead tradition that had been revived thanks to the new airbenders. Jinora and the other airbenders are preparing their bison when they realize that Juicy, Opal's bison, was missing.
When Tenzin was made aware of it, he halted the tournament and quickly organize a search party to look for the missing bison. Meanwhile, Jinora went to comfort her friend, telling her that its all gonna be okay and that Juicy will be find in no time.
Yet, when she did just that, Jinora find Opal was relatively unbothered by her bison's disappearance. Which struck Jinora as weird if not a little concerning. A bond between airbender and their sky bison is one of the most powerful thing in the world. Any self respecting airbenders would've been tempted of forfeiting their vow of none violence if something happen to their bison.
Which makes it weirder why Opal of all people was so calm about all of it. If anything else, Jinora felt like Opal was more nervous than worried. Like she have something to hide.
Tonight though, Jinora put all that thought behind her as she pull another all nighter to finish her paperwork. Being the youngest airbending master in history has it perks and drawbacks, and for Jinora, this is definitely a drawback. The amount of paperwork she had to filled is absurd.
She sigh and lean back against her chair, if she continue like this she'll definitely dug herself into an early grave. Deciding to take a break, Jinora stand up and stretch her body in front of her window to gaze upon the night lights of Republic City. As she enjoy the scenery, she notice someone was walking across the courtyard. She frown, wondering who would be out and about this late at night. Curious, Jinora squint her eyes and immediately her eyes went wide when she realize that it was Opal.
With how weird Opal's been acting about her bison's disappearance and the fact that now she's sneaking out at night is enough to made Jinora think that something is up with her friend. Against her better judgement, Jinora leap out of the window and began stalking her friend.
Jinora follow Opal to the west side of the island, where it is covered in vegetation and wasn't as develop as the rest of the island. Opal stop at a clearing and was appear as if she's waiting for someone. With curiosity still in her mind, Jinora climb a nearby tree to get a better view, while being mindful not to reveal her position.
A few minutes later, a familiar growl was heard from the west. Jinora could see Opal's face lit up. Jinora eyes widen when she realize that it was Juicy who's approaching. And from Opal's reaction, Jinora came to the conclusion that she knew where Juicy was all along, but for some reason, hides the fact from everyone.
Her suspicion grew when Juicy lands and three people quickly dismounted from his back. She couldn't recognize who these people are thanks to the darkness. Immediately, a sense of uneasiness crept on her as she saw the way these people dress. All three of them are wearing dark clothes that cover every inch of their body, including their faces except for the eyes, similar to a gangster, or a thief. Jinora then felt her eyes widen once again when she saw Opal hugging one of the thief/gangster. Which only mean one thing; Opal had knowingly let these potential criminal borrowed Juicy.
She had heard how Opal's mother, Suyin had been associated with the wrong people in her youth, which cause a rift with her sister that lasted thirty years. Now, Jinora is here watching her friend about to commit the same mistake. She can't let that happen.
She leap of the tree, using airbending to slow her descent. Once she's on the ground, she walk forward to the group.
"What's going on here?"
Opal yelp in surprise as she turn around. When she sees Jinora, she froze and began stuttering.
"He-hey, Jinora. Wha-what are you doing here. I thought you were suppose to fill out your paperwork?"
Jinora cross her arms disapprovingly. "I was, until I notice you sneaking out in the middle of the night. And would you care to explain why you lent Juicy to a bunch of strangers?"
"Uh, yeah, we-well, you see, I-I can explain."
Jinora turn her gaze to the strangers. "Hey, I don't know who you think you are. But if all of you think you can manipulate Opal to do your dirty works, then you had another thing coming. I suggest that all of you leave this island right now, or I'll promise you, you won't like how this ends."
Instead of intimidated, one of the strangers just chuckle.
"Oh, Jinora, you've grown quite a lot since I last saw you."
Wait a minute, she knew that voice.
As if to confirm her fear, all three of them open their mask at the same time. Jinora couldn't contain her shock.
"Gran-gran? Lord Zuko? Toph?!"
"Hey, kid. Long time no see." Toph said with a grin.
"You never seen her ever, Toph." Zuko commented. Seconds later, he was clutching his butt in pain.
Jinora open her mouth to speak, but she only able to rasped out a. "What?"
Katara gave her her signature grandmotherly smile Jinora had grown to loved growing up. "We're here on a vacation, dear."
"And Opal here had been helping us with the transportation." Toph chimed in.
Jinora look over to Opal who shrugged innocently. "I couldn't say no to my favorite grandma."
"And you're my favorite grandkid." Toph then lean on Opal's ear. "Don't tell your brothers I said that."
"Whoa- wait. Vacation? Transport? What is going on?! Why are you all wearing all black? None of this make sense?!" Jinora half-yelled at the group.
Katara put her hand soothingly on her granddaughter's shoulder. She look at her companions and wordlessly ask them to be left alone with Jinora. Once they're out of sight, Katara turn to face Jinora.
"Listen, Jinora. I know that you might be confuse by what we're doing, and were concern, for a good reason. But let me tell you that you have nothing to worry about. Because I'm just having fun with my friends while reminisce of the old days."
"But, what is borrowing Juicy and not telling anyone have to do any of it?" Jinora ask, she still didn't know how to feel about this.
Jinora then witness something she never would have thought her gran-gran was capable of.
It was malice.
"You see, Jinora. What Toph had in mind for our little get together was really very energy draining." Katara said it as if she didn't just fight the cartel without taking a hit. "So we need a mode of transportation, and it just so happen that Opal is willing to help us."
"That doesn't explain why Opal hides it from everyone." Jinora point out.
Katara merely shrug. "Toph ask her to. If she said she's lending her bison away, Tenzin won't allow her, maybe even have her grounded.
"Why would dad do that? Toph is a friend. If Opal had just said that she's letting her grandma borrow her bison, then we wouldn't have to delay the tournament, and dad wouldn't have freaked out. Unless, if you guys borrow Juicy to do something illegal, i can't see why dad would have any problem with it."
Katara smile sheepishly, Jinora felt her heart sank.
"Gran-gran, what did you do?"
Katara laugh. "Nothing that you should concern yourself over, my dear. Now would you be so kind and lead me to where the foods are. This poor old woman is starving."
She said it with her usual motherly voice that Jinora had grew up hearing, instead of the one that sounded like a giddy teenager she had used earlier.
Jinora wordlessly nodded and guide her gran-gran back to the temple for a well deserve meal. All the while, her thought is racing of what her gran-gran did to necessitate such secrecy. She hope that it wasn't anything bad.
But Jinora had a feeling that it was.
Lin rub her eyes in exasperation and exhaustion.
She and her team had worked tirelessly on the investigation of the Sleeping Dogs warehouse attack case. They have to if they want to prevent another bloodshed from turf wars between rivaling cartels.
It wasn't a difficult investigation by per se, and it wasn't a long one neither. Lin had work on case where there's virtually no leads and still manage to solve it. This case had dozens of witnesses that are more than willing to come forward and literally hundreds of forensics evidence lying around waiting to be examined.
Lin's frustration rather come from the investigation result.
She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to believe it. But, the evidence was clear. All the leads and eye-witness testimony lead to one person as the mastermind behind the violent attack at the Sleeping Dogs Cartel drug warehouse, which had become one of the deadliest instance of gang war in the city history. That person was the last woman Lin ever expected to be guilty of such crime; her mothe-
"Chief."
She was brought out of her thought. "Yes, Mako?"
"I'm asking if you're okay. You seem a little out of it for a moment."
It's as if for the first time that she realized that she was not alone in the conference room. She and her detectives were sitting on a round table, filled with case files, snacks, and empty coffee mugs.
Lin shook herself awake. "I'm fine, just trying to make sense of all this." She gesture to the piles of evidence at the round table.
A younger detective nodded. "Yeah, I could tell. It's a lot to take in, I imagine." He commented. "Though, are we really sure that she's the one responsible."
"Lee, stop defending the suspects." Mako interject. "The evidence and eyewitnesses accounts all suggested that Toph Beifong was the mastermind behind this attack. Alongside her two accomplices: Lord Zuko and Master Katara."
Ah yes, those two, she almost forgot. Lin could see why her mother would do this, she always know her mother was a wildcard in her youth. Even when her mother became the chief of police, Lin suspected that the wild side of her mother never truly left her. But the fact that Zuko and Katara was also involve was a surprise to her. They had always struck her as a responsible adults. It seems like she didn't really know the people she saw as her uncle and aunt.
Though it does make sense, she supposed. Those three, along side Aang, Sokka, and Suki must bear the fate of the world on their shoulders while they're still teenagers, children in the case of her mother and Aang.
Even after the war, the six of them continue to carry the burden to keep the peace in a scared world by carry on with their job as the Avatar, the Fire Lord, the Chief and ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe, the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, and the Chief of Police of the largest city in the world for most of their adult life.
She supposed, if ones are too carried those burdens for all their life would make them longed for the opportunity too express themselves in a violent manner. She herself has entertain the idea from time to time.
Wait, I shouldn't think. I'm the Chief of Police damn it. Lin thought. Although now that she thought about it, it doesn't sound so bad after all.
The young detective sigh, still unable to process that his childhood heroes were responsible for those crimes. "I know that, okay." He said to Mako. "It's just... hard to believe that's all."
Mako nodded in understanding. He then turn to face Lin. "Chief, as much as I respect your mother and grateful for all her service to keep Republic City and the World safe; I'm afraid we can't let her go. We must brought her into custody for questioning and to face trial."
Lin nodded stiffly, barely registering his words. "You're right. But before we do that, I need to face her alone."
Mako look at her, surprised. "Chief?"
"Eyewitness testimony said that she escape with a sky bison, which means she'll likely in Air Temple Island right now. I will go there to negotiate with her while you lot will be at standby with the airship. It is less likely for her to resist if I came alone."
Her men didn't seem happy with her order, some even seemed skeptical, but order are order at the end of the day, and they could see the reasoning behind it. After a few more minute of deliberation, the meeting was concluded, and every detectives left the room to prepare themselves to arrest the greatest earthbender of all time.
Lin stayed behind, mentally preparing herself for the choice she's about to make.
Katara felt herself slowly awaken from her deep slumber to find the sun at her face and that it was already day time, almost noon by the looks of it.
Groaning in annoyance, she got up from her sofa to close the curtain. Once she did, she find out that the curtain that Tenzin had chose for this room wasn't very effective at keeping the sunlight out, so she added a blanked on top of it. She smile in satisfaction as the room turns dark and gloomy, just like her home, perfect to sleep in.
As she turns back, she took in the sight of her room, well, their room to be more precise and she smile. Jinora had offer each of them their own room, but the three of them had opted to just share one room instead, for old time sake.
Toph had claimed the only bed in the room all to her self. And Zuko, being the gentleman that he was, he insisted on sleeping on the floor so Katara can sleep on the sofa. The former was snoring like a dragon with constipation and used her hand as pillow instead of using an actual pillow, exposing her unpluck armpit hair for all to see. While the latter was dead asleep in the floor, shirtless, and completely oblivious at the fact that he had fallen off the bed.
Seeing Zuko like this is something Katara wasn't used to. Zuko always says that firebender rise with the sun, and from what she observe, it is always the case, even with Aang. So seeing him sleeping in was out of character for him. Maybe those years as the Firelord really took a toll on him than she initially realize, causing him to able to fight of his natural instinct as firebender.
She sat back down at her sofa and ready to continue her slumber. As she began to doze off, the bedroom door suddenly swung open. Revealing a rather frantic Tenzin.
"Mother! Thank goodness you're okay! I was so worried. Kya called me saying you've been kidnap, and then..."
As Tenzin continue his little rant, Katara couldn't help but feel a little annoyed at Tenzin just barge into the room without knocking. When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing that she notice was that Toph and Zuko was also annoyed as they too were force to wake up.
"Tenzin, didn't I taught you to knock." Katara said groggily as she got up to face him. "Can't you see that we're all trying to sleep here."
Tenzin look at her incredulously. "Mother, you've been missing for over a week! Kya called me saying that Toph had kidnap you using a sky bison and flies away to who knows where! Do you know how worried we were?!"
Katara sigh. "Tenzin, why don't you sit down and I'll tell you what we've been up to in the last few days?"
Tenzin look at her uncertainly but nodded. Katara sat back at her sofa while pull a wooden chair to sit on. She went on to tell him the story of her 'friendly reunion' starting with her kidnapping all the way to how she and Toph break into the Fire Nation Royal Palace in order to recruit Zuko in their little get together. Toph and Zuko, who had given up on falling back asleep, add on details to the story to make it more engaging. But the further they got into the story, the worse Tenzin's headache become.
After they were done, Tenzin rub his temple in disbelieve, struggling to find words.
"I...uh...how *sigh* What would dad think?"
Katara merely shrug. "You're father would find it attractive."
Tenzin's jaw drop, unable to comprehend what her just heard. "What?"
"One of the many qualities that makes Aang such a good partner is that despite him eager to share his culture with me, he never force his value on me. I've killed my fair share of people during the war, yet Aang never bother me about it, despite him being a staunch pacifist, as long as I did it in self defense of course. And in some cases, he find it quite attractive."
"Indeed" Zuko chimed in. "During our annual get together in Ember Island a few years after the war, we were attack by Ozai's loyalist. And the way your mother fought make Aang swoon." He chuckle. "You should've seen his face. I never thought the Avatar could be so starstruck."
Toph laugh alongside him. "Oh, I remember that day. Twinkle Toes heartbeat was off the chart. And it wasn't from the fighting."
Tenzin still can't believe it. "What?"
"The point is, you shouldn't worried too much. Trust me, Tenzin, I know what I'm doing."
Before was at a lost for words. He soon find himself struggling to respond.
Then, a soft knock came from the bedroom door, causing everyone in the room to turn their attention away towards the door, simultaneously saving Tenzin from another awkward response.
The door open to reveal Tenzin's wife, Pema on the other side with little Rohan sleeping peacefully in her arm.
"I'm didn't mean to interrupt, but uh, Chief Beifong is here, and she said she wanted to speak with her mother. Oh and Ikki said she spotted a Fire Nation airship approaching from the west."
Toph and Zuko froze as soon as those sentences left Pema's lips. Their daughters? Here? All the sleepiness that remains slowly left their body as they began bracing themselves for the conversation that is to come.
"I see." Zuko sigh in acceptance. "I knew this would happen sooner or later. Come on, Toph. Lets get this over with." With that Zuko left the room to greet his daughter. Toph stay for a bit longer before leaving with a huff. Pema left not long after, continuing with her chore for the day.
Now alone with her son, Katara soon felt uncomfortable under Tenzin's scrutinizing gaze. For a while, neither of them speak.
Desperate for a way out, Katara fake a cough. "My throat is sore all the sudden. All that activity from last night was not kind to these old bones you know. Now, if you'll excuse me I'll be in the kitchen drinking tea."
She got up and went for the door. But before she reach it, Tenzin grab her by the arm and gently, but firmly hold her in place.
"Kya and Bumi is here. I'm sure they want you to explain yourself."
Katara sigh. There's no way out of this. "Fine, call them over. I'll wait here, and I promise I won't be causing no more troubles."
Tenzin look at her uncertainly but relented. He soon left the room to call over his siblings so they all could talk this out.
"...And then I grab the bad guys by their feet, spin them around in the air, and safe the day."
Bumi and Kya look at her with childlike amazement while Tenzin silently sulking in his corner of the table. He had drag his mother to the temple mess hall so they could discuss her behavior with Bumi and Kya.
Unfortunately for him, his siblings are more awestruck than worried.
"How did you manage to form eight water tentacles using only sweat?" Kya gushed. "And since when you know how to bend oil? Oh you need to teach me all of that!"
"And please tell me every detail of the horrified face those cartel scum made as they cower before you!" Bumi excitedly yell.
Katara heartily laugh. It's just like old times. "The sweat in that basement are enough to fill a small lake. I could make a tidal wave if I want too. And sure, I'm more than happy to teach you how to bend oil. And Bumi, lets just say there are many wet pants after we left."
Kya and Bumi grin, satisfy with their answer.
"Man, if I'm the cartel leader, I won't dare showing my face to anyone. I mean to have my best guys getting beating by a bunch of old timers is enough embarrassment for three lifetimes." Bumi stated.
Kya nodded. "Whoever they are must've been sulking hard right now." She gave Tenzin a pointed look. "Like a certain someone we know."
Tenzin huff in annoyance, which cause his siblings and mother laugh.
"What is wrong with all of you?!" Tenzin yell at his siblings. "Both of you suppose to help me here! Aren't you worried for mom at all? Kya, you literally saw her getting kidnap! Why aren't you pestering her about it?!"
Kya blew a raspberry. "I don't know what's the big deal is. She's fine, aren't you, mom?"
"More than fine."
Bumi grab his little brother by the shoulder. "Maybe you should take mom's idea of a vacation. Otherwise, I fear that you will have more wrinkles than me in a few months."
Tenzin grumpily shoved Bumi's arm away. "I don't need a vacation!"
Katara perk up. "Actually, me, Toph, and Zuko are about to storm a Red Lotus hideout after this. Would you all like to join." She ask her children.
"YES!"
"NO!"
Katara frown. "Why not, Tenzin? It's been a while since we have a family vacation."
"Mother, I can't just leave on a whim for an adventure all the sudden. I have a responsibility here. And neither of you should be going on this 'vacation' as well! All of you have a responsibility to fill. If you all left..." Tenzin sigh. "There's nothing that I could say to convince you all to stop, isn't it?" Tenzin said, defeated.
Katara shrug. "I'm afraid not."
He sigh again. "Well I guess there's nothing I can do about it huh. Just... the three of you be careful, alright."
Katara smile at her youngest. "Don't worry, Tenzin. We will." She open her arms wide. "Now give your mother a hug, will you."
Tenzin relented. He got up and embrace his mother in a tight hug. He soon felt his brother and sister join in as well.
As he savor the feeling of his family embrace. He wonder what makes him the only one normal in this crazy family.
Zuko stood at the island western beach, watching as the giant Fire Nation airship slowly hovers closer to the beach. The airship hover just close enough above the water line when the ramp opens up. There, in the middle of the gangway, was Fire Lord Izumi, flank by the royal guards and with a look of exasperation as she walk down the ramp toward her father.
"What are you doing, dad?"
"I already told you in my note. I was on vacation."
"You could've done that without destroying half the palace, you know!" Izumi said heatedly.
"I would, but Toph and Katara and very insistent."
Izumi hold the bridge of her nose in irritation. "I'm sure they are. Now come on, let's go home. We'll talk more on the way."
As Izumi began to turn around, her father said something that surprise her. "I'm not going home."
"What?"
"I said I'm not going home, yet. Me, Katara, and Toph, we still have stuff to do."
Izumi narrow her eyes. "Such as."
"Fighting the Red Lotus." Zuko said with a grin.
Izumi felt as if her head was about to explode. "What?! No! Absolutely not! It is bad enough you're gone fighting the cartel! You are definitely not fighting the Red Lotus! Don't you remember the last time you fought them?!"
Zuko huff in annoyance. "Yeah, yeah, I don't need you to remind me every five minutes. Besides, that was years ago. Katara did some spirit magic at me and now I'm good as new." To punctuate his point, Zuko rolled his sleeve and flex his muscle for his daughter and her guards to see.
Izumi could only sigh. "What would mom think."
Zuko sigh longingly. "If you're mother is here, she would've demanded to join me, while grumbling how boring life had been."
Izumi couldn't find herself to argue with that point. "Yeah, you're probably right."
An idea then struck Zuko. "You should come with me."
"What? Dad, I can't just leave the Fire Nation unattended."
"That's what the council are for. Besides, you've done nothing but sitting in your desk lately. Don't you just want to loosen up once in a while. Think about it as Father-daughter bonding experience."
Izumi was about to retort. But then, she began to mull over the proposition. Causing the royal guards to discreetly look at each other nervously.
"Come think about it, it's been a while since I've firebend at someone."
Zuko smiles triumphantly. "That's the spirit."
One of the guards decide to speak up. "Fire Lord Izumi. I don't think this is a wise choice, you're doctor have advice you to refrain from physically demanding task."
Unfortunately for the poor guard, Izumi ignores him. "Alright dad, I'm in."
Zuko smile smugly at the guard. "Looks like the Fire Lord has made her mind, Captain."
Even though she can't see it, Toph know that her daughter was glaring at her. She could feel it, even before she reach the courtyard where they're both standing now. It seemed Lin always had a distinct aura whenever she's pissed off that everyone could feel.
"Just get it over with." Toph said.
"Get over what?" Lin ask, her tone betraying no emotion.
"You're here scold me, aren't you." It wasn't a question. "You're gonna tell me that what I was doing is stupid and not how the former Chief of Police should act, isn't it?"
"No, mom. That's not it."
"Then why are you here?"
"I'm wanted to ask you if I can join you."
Toph froze when she hears that and a look of confusion form on her face. Did she hear that right? Is her mind playing tricks on her? Did she become deaf on top of being blind? Maybe she inhales more of those drugs than she thought, that's why she-.
"What?" She force herself out of her trance.
Lin expression softened. "For a long time, I was so angry at the fact that you let Su get away from any consequence that become a bitter and an unpleasant woman to be around. And I let that bitterness uncheck for a very long time that I pushed away everyone that I hold dear. Even refusing to speak to you or Su when both of you reach out to reconcile. And it wasn't until four years ago that I let go of all my past resentment."
"I have many things that I regret in life. But my biggest regret was that I wait such a long time to let go of the past that I miss out so much from you and Su's life. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wanted to come with you to make up for the lost time. So, can I come with you?" Lin said with an uncharacteristic tone of nervousness.
Toph felt tears coming out of her eyes. Normally, she try to fight it, but this time, she let it flow. "Of course, Lin. Of course. I'd loved to have you by my side."
Toph lean forward and hug her eldest, and Lin hug her back, surprising Toph and herself.
"So." Lin said as they pull out of the hug. "When do we leave?"
Toph felt that Zuko and Katara is now here in the courtyard with their children, waiting for her and Lin.
"How about now?"
Fun Fact:
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated unit US military history. What was unique about this unit however was that its member are made up entirely of second generation Japanese immigrants.
After the United States enter World War 2 in late 1941, the US government issue executive order 9066, which authorized the forced removal of all persons deemed a threat to national security from the to "relocation centers" further inland. The Japanese Americans who mostly lived on the West coast were forcibly relocated into interment camps as they are deemed a threat to national security.
Those who lived in Hawaii fortunately are allowed to remain in their home and didn't face forced relocation, as Japanese Americans made up of a 1/3 of the state population. Yet the state of Hawaii went into martial law following the Pearl Harbor attack, and the Japanese Americans face heavy surveillance as they were suspected of being an enemy spy because of their race. And those who serve in the Hawaiian National Guard were temporarily disarmed, and the local ROTC students and cadets were dismissed from service.
Yet, despite facing discrimination from their government and fellow Americans, they are still loyal to the country they call home, same as any other Americans. The former ROTC cadets who were dismissed from service volunteer themselves in the construction of US military base across the Pacific. And later, in early 1943, in spite of strong opposition, the US Government form a segregated combat unit made up of entirely of Japanese American volunteers. By making such decision, the Government want to show that all American citizen are all equal in their right and that Japanese American, or Nisei are as loyal as any other American.
The 442nd went through basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The same camp that the 100th Infantry Battalion, another Japanese American unit trained. The two units would spent some times together until August of 1943 where the 100th Infantry Battalion was deployed to Italy. The 442nd would continue their training until the end of the year.
During that time, the 100th Infantry was taking heavy casualties in Italy. The 442nd would sent replacement soldiers to the 100th from their 1st Battalion. By the time for the 442nd to leave for Europe, their 1st Battalion was almost depleted. The remaining 1st Battalion soldiers would remain at Camp Shelby to train replacements.
The 442nd arrived at Naples, Italy in the 28th of May, 1944. The 442nd would join the 100th Battalion in north of Rome on 11th of June 1944, attached to the . The 100th was placed under the command of the 442nd on 15th of June 1944 but on 14th of August 1944, the 100th Battalion was officially assigned to the 442nd as its 1st battalion, but was allowed to keep its unit designation in recognition of its distinguished fighting record. The 100th Battalion's high casualty rate at the battle Anzio and Monte Cassino earned it the unofficial nickname "Purple Heart Battalion."
The 442nd Regiment would see combat in Naples, Rome, The Rhineland, Northern Apennines, The Gothic Line, and many more. But it was in France where they would show the world what they're truly made of.
On the 27th of October, the entire Regiment was called to the frontline to relieve pressure from the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment. The 1st Battalion was assaulting a heavily wooded ridge only to find themselves surrounded by enemy force, and was cutoff from friendly line. Due to this, they were know as the "Lost Texas Battalion."
The 442nd rush to the ridge on the same day, launching an attack against a well fortified enemy in attempt to rescue to Lost Battalion. Progress was slow, as the wooded and narrow terrain left little room for maneuver. On top of that, they have to face a German counterattack that was supported by a Panzer IV tank and an armored car. The German artillery and mortar constantly raining down on them as well, leaving them vulnerable to tree shrapnel.
On the 29th of October, the 442nd continue their assault, but whatever approach they made, they're always repelled by the German. As the odds of breaking through seem impossible, the word came that The Lost Battalion, was in desperate situation. If they were to be safe, a breakthrough must be made.
In a bold display of bravery, I and K company of the 442nd 3rd Battalion fix their bayonet and rise up from their foxholes, charging head on toward the German position, screaming "BANZAI!" Completely shock by this daring and bold move, the German began to flee their position. The attack was followed by the 2nd Battalion who strike the German left flank. The 442nd continue their advance, and by afternoon, they manage to make contact with the Lost Battalion.
After this, the 442nd would continue their combat duty in the Maritime Alps and then back to Italy until the last German unit surrender on the 2nd of May, 1945. The war was over for the 442nd.
The records of the 442nd also included the 100th Battalion before they were formally attach to the 442nd. During the 20 months from September 1943 till May 1945, around 18.000 soldiers served in the unit.
The 442nd were awarded with over 15.000 medals and awards, including: 21 Medal of Honor, 29 Distinguish Service Cross, 1 Distinguish Service Medal, 588 Silver Star, 22 Legion of Merit, 15 Soldiers Medal, 5200 Bronze Star, 9486 Purple Hearts, 36 Army Commendation Medal, 87 Division Commendation, 7 Presidential Unit Citation, 2 Meritorious Unit Service, A Congressional Gold Medal awarded to them in 2011, and the status of Honorary Texans by the state of Texas for their rescue of the Lost Battalion.
This is why the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated unit in American History.
"You fought not only the enemy, but also prejudice and you've won."~ President Harry S Truman to the 442nd.
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