100th Infantry Battalion
| 100th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|
Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 442nd Infantry Regiment | |
| Active | 1942–1946 1947–present |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry battalion |
| Size | 6 Companies |
| Part of | 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, 9th MSC |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Shafter |
| Nickname(s) | "Purple Heart Battalion" "One-Puka-Puka" |
| Motto(s) | WWII - Remember Pearl Harbor Present - Go For Broke |
| Engagements | World War II Vietnam War Iraq War |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation (Army) (5) Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) (2) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | LTC Joseph E. Ensminger |
| Command Sergeant Major | CSM John I. Keawe |
| Insignia | |
| Coat of arms of the 442nd Infantry Regiment | |
| Shoulder sleeve insignia and combat service identification badge of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment | |
The 100th Infantry Battalion (Japanese: 第100歩兵大隊, Dai Hyaku Hohei Daitai) is the only infantry unit in the United States Army Reserve. In World War II, the then-primarily Nisei battalion was composed largely of former members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and trained at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin from June 1942 to January 1943.The 100th Infantry Battalion went to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in January 1943 for advanced training and left for overseas in August 1943. The 100th saw heavy combat during World War II, starting in September 1943 and continuing after being attached as a battalion of the Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) in June 1944. The unit was unofficially nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion, with the motto "Remember Pearl Harbor".
Quote: [Nearly a century later,] "the "Remember Pearl Harbor" 100th Infantry Battalion, and the "Go For Broke" 442d Regimental Combat Team is still the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. Members of this World War II unit earned over 18,000 individual decorations including over 4,000 Purple Hearts, and 21 Medals of Honor. The Combat Team earned five Presidential Citations in 20 days of Rhineland fighting, the only military unit ever to claim that achievement. General of the Army George C. Marshall praised the team saying, "they were superb: the men of the 100/442d... showed rare courage and tremendous fighting spirit... everybody wanted them." General Mark W. Clark (Fifth Army) said, "these are some the best... fighters in the U.S. Army. If you have more, send them over.""
Based at Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii, the 100th Battalion continues the legacy of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, officially designated as 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry Regiment. The 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry Regiment has maintained an alignment with the active 25th Infantry Division since a reorganization in 1972. This alignment has resulted in the 100th's mobilization for combat duty in the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. The 100th Infantry Battalion is staffed with reservists from Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Saipan and Washington. The battalion is subordinate to the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, itself under the 9th Mission Support Command.