Japanese American Military Experience Database
Saburo "Akim" Nishime
Distinguished Unit Badge w/ 2 clusters earned by 100th in combat
Purple Heart - for being wounded in combat.
Bath is not to be had while in combat, which on occasions can extend for several weeks. Only when relieved from combat, hot baths and change of uniform can be had at such facilities set up by the Command.
Meals were sent up in ration form, which covered all three meals. At other times when relieved from front line combat, regular field meals were prepared and served by own Company kitchen.
Rest centers were set up in the rear areas, usually in the cities like Naples and Rome. While in Italy, a few lucky ones went to Paris from our company, while the war was going on. I understand such privileges were more numerous after the war ended. I was rotated home soon as the war in Europe ended.
On the lighter side of combat, after receiving heavy casualties in the Battle of the Vosges Mountains in the area of Bruyeres, France, the 442nd Regiment was relieved and sent to Southern France for light outpost duties along the Maritime Alps facing the Italian border. This gave the regiment a chance to rest and recuperate. Activity in this area was almost nil. Our Dog Company was headquartered in a small hotel in the center of the border town of Menton, France, which was vacated of most of the civilian population. From outposts in the hills the troops came back in rotation to bathe and relax and go on pass at night. Military transportation was provided to travel several miles to the town of Brussolei, France. To get to Brussolei, we had to pass through the Principality of Monaco, which is noted for it's gambling casinos.
Monaco was a neutral independant state and not in the war, so we were not allowed to shop or visit or patronize the casinos, but we were allowed to pass through the streets of Monaco without getting off, and continue through to get to Brussolei, France.
From the direction we came, we entered the street where Brussolei, France was on the left side and the Principality of Monaco occupied the right side of the street, and therefore, that side was off limits. There were no guards or signs posted or visible, so there was nothing to prevent one from crossing into the restricted area of Monaco. These nightly jaunts to Brussolei was jokingly called 'The Battle of Brussolei'. Anyway, it was a period of several blissful months, until we returned to Italy with the 442nd, to participate in the last battle campaign of World War II.
