Nisei Legacy Tours

08/09/2024

We dip further south from Cassino to pick up the trail of the 100th as they approach the second Volturno crossing. But on the way out of town we stop by the Rapido River monuments marvelling over the fact that there is a Biffontaine Road in the middle of Italy!

The vegetation along the river bank is obscuring our view over the mine-strewn fields from the Nisei's position on 18 October 1943 near the destroyed bridge on the Dragoni-Alife road. Our drive from there towards the medieval walled town of Alife drives home the magnitude of the dangers the men faced on the valley floor, while the enemy was firing from elevated positions in the hills.

Continuing to Sant'Angelo d'Alife where the 100th Bn took control of some road junctions before moving through the town towards Hill 519. A stop by the 34th Div monument offers the perfect viewing platform to appreciate the value of hill 519 to the German troops, due to its location with unobstructed views over the wider valley.

Our afternoon visit brings us to Venafro where we are warmly received at the War Museum Winterline Venafro. With an extensive collection of artefacts laid out in evocative dioramas and a knowledgeable host at hand to answer any and all questions, it is a must-see place.

07/09/2024

Starting our tour at Anzio harbour, overlooking the wider bay area where the 100th Battalion (Separate) took up position until moving out of the confines of the established beachhead in May 1944 and heading for Rome.

Just a few miles away, the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial provides a last resting place for 6 officers of the 100th, while 3 men are memorialised on the Wall of the Missing.

A tour trhough the reconstructed Montecassino Abbey takes us through the only section to have survived the bombing by Allied aircraft on 15 February 1944 as well as St Martin's Chapel, where we find the insignia of the 100th on one of the stained glass windows representing the USA.

17/08/2024

A lot of projects are taking shape in Italy to preserve the Nisei legacy alongside the local history!

Building a Nisei Trail in Europe to preserve the legacy and open the stories of the men in the 100th/442nd to a wider audience.

09/08/2024

The memory of the Nisei is still very much alive in Italy!

Among many other projects we've seen this year (check out our tour posts!), a new trail was established on Monte Belvedere, based on research by long-time Nisei friend and historian Davide del Giudice and with support from Selvaggio Pasquilio for the signage.

If you have joined us on a trip to the Gothic Line before, then you are familiar with Davide's vast knowledge which he generously shares, the great food and hospitality at Sevaggio and the ever-present members of the Linea Gotica Tirrenica Association providing rides in vintage jeeps.

Those who haven't been yet will soon be able to get a taste of the breaking of the Gothic Line by the Nisei thanks to a new publication!

Together with Pietro Maghelli, Davide has collected all available pictures of the men of the 100th/442nd RCT in the area during the Po Valley Campaign as well as more recent ones from Veterans returning and brought them together in a book which is now in production.

Soon available locally and on Amazon in the US.

18/07/2024

British newspaper The Independent has picked up Nisei story, following our group's visit to Camp Darby.

US Army honors Nisei combat unit that helped liberate Tuscany from Nazi-Fascist forces in WWII - The U.S. military is celebrating an all-Japanese U.S. Army unit that was key in liberating Italy’s central Tuscan region from Nazi-Fascist forces in July 1944, even while their family members were inte...

12/07/2024

Camp Darby, between Livorno and Pisa, is home to a monument dedicated to Pfc Masato "Curly" Nakae. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions he took nearby on 19 August 1944.

The Darby Military Community came together to welcome the Nisei relatives and honor the members of the 100th Bn/442nd RCT.

The gathering was addressed by Camp Darby Deputy Garrison Manager Timothy Andersen, Camp Darby Italian Base Commander COL Giuseppe Milano, U.S. Consul General Daniella Ballard and Southern European Task Force, Africa Comander COL Jordan Simmers.

Yoko Sakato and Valerie Matsunaga laid a wreath at the Nakae monument, representing their fathers, respectively S/Sgt Henry Sakato (100th Bn, B Co) and Pfc Toshio Kubota (3rd Bn, K Co).

Kirk Miyashiro was presented with the marker from the grave in the temporary cemetery at Follonica of Sgt Kiyoshi Iguchi by Roberto Simoncini.

Young soldiers and re-enactors present were invited to mingle with the families and ask questions after a very comprehensive presentation of the Nisei's frontline experiences.

Our families could not have wished for a better conclusion to their tour and send their thanks to everyone present, but especially Chiara Mattirolo and her team from Darby Military Community, USAG Italy. Thank you!

12/07/2024

Another fantastic day where we got to make new friends. This time at the Archivi della Resistenza in Fosdinovo. Originally established by the Partigiani (the Italian Resistance) as a shelter for children, it is now an audiovisual museum showing the testimonies of civilians.

The presentation by resident historian Simonetta, along with the testimonies, provided our group with a better understanding of the challenges that the civilian population faced and the invaluable assitance the Partigiani provided to the Nisei on the Gothic Line.

At the Memorial Park La Pretta in Tendola, a brand new information panel with a day-by-day report on the Nisei movements in and around the town between 18 and 25 April 1945 awaited our group.
Seleste and Yoko Sakato located their uncle George Sakato on the monument commemorating the 21 Medal of Honor recipients.

To round out the day, we learned more about the liberation of the town and the massacre that had taken place in San Terenzo the previous summer. The circumstances of Stanley Hayami's death by sniper fire were explained on the very spot by Roberto.

And just before heading out of town, Mario Pomini made an appearance. He was the - at the time! - little boy who warned the first Nisei reaching Tendola about the presence of German troops in the house they were approaching.

Our thanks to everybody who made it such an interesting day, filled with new friendships: Simonetta, Mauro and the ENTIRE cooking team at the Archivi (we ate so much...), the team from the SSocietà Mutuo Soccorso Tendolawith Juliano, Elizabeth and Mamma (we ate some more... :-), local journalist and historian Roberto Oligeri and Mayor Antonio Moriconi.

But above all, infinite gratitude goes to Mario Mariani who is so dedicated to the memory of the Nisei and preserving the history of the area. He made it all happen! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

11/07/2024

After the frontal assault on Monte Folgorito by the 100th Bn and the approach along the ridge by 3rd Bn on 5 April, 2nd Bn follows in teh tracks of 3rd.

By 7 April, they have moved passed Monte Carchio and are tasked with taking Monte Belvedere. The softer slopes of this hill in contrast with the rougher peaks of Folgorito and Carchio makes it look deceptively benign.

Defended by 6 interlocking machinegun positions proved otherwise. T/Sgt Yukio Okutso managed to eliminate 3 of the machinegun nests, an action for which he received the Medal of Honor.

A massive thank you to Davide del Giudice for clearing the trails and identifying the positions and to Federico Santucci for providing the signs!

A trip to Borgo a Mozzano brings the story of a potential bloodbath averted thanks to the heroic actions of two young people who copied the map which showed all the German positions and passed it on to the Allied. The stories are brought to live by the inimitable Anna.

We finish the day with a bit of beauty at the medieval Devil's Bridge or Ponte della Maddalena. Thought by the Germans to be too narrow to allow American vehicles accross, they did not destroy this beautiful structure.

09/07/2024

A long and emotional day in Castellina Marittima yesterday warrants a little sleep-in and a free morning to explore Pisa.

In Pietrasanta, 3 men of the 100th Bn are represented by their daughters: Henry Sakato, Toru Ishizawa and Juichi Inafuku, all of B Co.

Travelling along the opposite slope of the valley offers a perfect view on the ridge followed by the menn of the 100th during their frontal assault on Monte Folgorito. A little further we get a similar breathtakig view on the slope 3rd Bn clambered up.

We arrive in Azzano, not to find shelter in the houses before attemping the advance on the opposite ridge like the men of the 3rd Bn did, but to meet with our friends, talk story and have a pizza party!

08/07/2024

What an unbelievable day!

Exactly 80 years ago, on 7 July 1944 the Nisei took control of Hill 140 and the town of Castellina Marittima.

To commemorate the event, the town, local and regional authorities, ANPI representatives, all turned out to welcome the Nisei relatives for this special day, for which we are very grateful.

A formal Friendship Agreement was signed between Maui County and the Community of Castellina Marittima, represented by Valerie Kubota-Matsunaga and Mayor Alessandro Giari.

This was followed by the unveiling of a new memorial park, overlooking Hill 140. The community made land available and provided seating opportunity to invite visitors to the town to take a moment to learn about how their ended up being known as "Little Cassino".

An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to the historical association Toscana '44, whithout who this day would not have been possible.

Under the leadership of Damiano Bartoletti and Samuele Falconi, they worked closely with the town council to realise the memorial park, organised the entire day, mobilised their re-enactors network to provide a recreation of the battle and guided the walk around the positions on the hill.

As a fitting end to a very emotional day, they invited the group to the unveiling of a new information panel with a timeline of the battle.

To everybody who was there:THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!! ❤️

06/07/2024

Combining the impact of war on civilians with learning about land management, local social history and Italian garden design in the spectacular setting of La Foce.

Once home to war diarist and author Iris Origo (A Chill in the Air: An Italian War Diary 1939-1940; War in the Val d'Orcia: An Italian War Diary 1943-1944), it holds stories of refugee children from the northern cities, safeguarding farm tennants, hiding resistance members, helping POWs escape and diverting attention from the local German commander away from all this...

The close-up of the fountain shows the bullet hole from the shot fired, perhaps in frustration, when contrary to rumour, no gold was found in the sunken garden. A rumour started by someone trying to get the Origo's in trouble or a clever ploy to distract from hidden supplies to get everyone attached to the estate through the war?

04/07/2024

Starting our Independence Day with a bit of local history. Staying in the beautiful town of Volterra, where 80 years ago the 2400-year old city gate was ordered to be blown up by the German occupiers in order to stop any American tanks moving through. The local population pleaded for 48 hours to render the gate impassable. For 2 days on 30 June and 1 July 1944, they worked non-stop to build an anti-tank wall within the gate by ripping up the town's streets. The Porta all'Arco still stands today...

In Signa, we cross the Arno river in the sector where K Company went across. Throughout August, the 100th/442nd is stretched along the river bank. They engaged in frequent raiding parties into enemy-held areas before pushing on to the opposite bank.

The moment I have been dreading since 2021 seems to have arrived. The footbridge across the Greve river where first Co G and then Co F crossed the Arno has been earmarked for demolition and works will start within the next 2 weeks. Our group will be the last one to see Co G's calling card - "Los Angeles City Limits - Aug 1944 - Co G 442" where they left it... The section of the bridge holding the wartime graffiti will move to another spot, where hopefully future visiting grooups will be able to see it again.

Finishing the day with a visit to the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial.

03/07/2024

On the menu today: the liberation of Suvereto, Belvedere and Sassetta 80 years ago by the men of the 100th/442nd.

Our first stop is the walled city of Grosseto. The Nisei arrive in the vicinity from Civittavechia where they have been training until 21 June 1944.

Joined by Gianpiero Vaccaro, we follow the exact route from the next bivouac site up towards Suvereto and Belvedere where our host Roberto Simoncini shares his exceptional finds: the original grave markers of 3 Nisei soldiers buried in a temporary cemetery, before being moved to their permanent resting place after the war.

The Nisei went through considerable effort to take the tiny town of Belvedere from the Germans, so it feels rather appropriate to spend some time here and enjoy lunch, before taking a closer look at some of the key positions, like the country road Company B came up from the neighbouring hill.

A few more pictures with our hosts and members of the Associazione Microcosmo andit is time to get back on the trail of the Nisei, following their progress to Sassetta, the next town to be liberated...

03/07/2024

Our next Italian tour following the 100th/442nd is about to start, but first picking up on some Roman culture!

10/06/2024

More bonding time for and with this lovely family in the Vosges!

Visiting the men of the 100th/442nd laid to rest at the American Cemetery in Epinal and sharing their stories makes us all gratefull that all 3 Dads of the wider Chang family made it back home.

Thank you for visiting and for remembering!

09/06/2024

While many are in Normandy, remembering the D-Day Landings, we once again find ourselves in the Vosges with the family of TSgt Albert Nakama, 3rd Bn, L Co.

Always an honour to remember the veterans and a pleasure to meet up with friends who carry on the preservation of the legacy!

Trying to recreate the Nisei's single-file-hold-on-to-the-guy-in-front in broad daylight just doesn't carry the same gravitas though 🤔😀

05/06/2024

While the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion are ongoing, here are 10 key facts to know about D-Day.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. Codenamed Operation 'Overlord', the Allied landings on the Normandy beaches marked the start of a long and costly campaign to liberate north-west Europe from German occupation.

26/05/2024

16/05/2024

Another few lovely days in the Vosges, exploring Bruyeres and Biffontaine.

This time to trace 1st Lt Maurice "Maurie" Williams, 2nd Bn H Co.

Like many veterans, he didn't talk much about his experiences, but one of the places he did mention on occasion was Hill B, so very happy to show his daughter Chris the spot.

25/04/2024

Celebrate Liberation Day on April 25th in Italy and sing along...!

Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Ciao, Ciao 🎼🪗

24/04/2024

Visiting the men of the 100th/442nd laid to rest at Epinal American Cemetery. Each one resting there instead of at home for different reasons, but not a single one because he was "left behind".

In search of the Lost Battalion, the cold and damp weather closely resembling the conditions in 1944 encourages a contemplative moment in the stillness of the forest about the ordeal the Nisei went through here.

23/04/2024

Braving the unseasonally cold weather in the Vosges to show the spots where the Nisei fought the Battle for Bruyeres.

Good to see that Mr. Pierrat is still going strong at 91! The Yohei Sagami memorial is looking great under his care with plenty of new plants to add colour.

And always lovely to meet up with our local friends 😉

16/04/2024

The last stop on the tour takes us to the very first joint engagement of the 100th/442nd: Belvedere above Suvereto.

Our wonderful host Roberto Simoncini has prepared once again a great welcome for the Nisei families. His personal collection of artefacts, among which 2 Nisei helmets, always offers plenty of conversation openers!

Representing her community, Comune di Suvereto and Belvedere, Mayor Jessica Pasquini expresses her gratitude for the presence of the families and stresses the importance of remembrance and the need to pass the stories on to the children, so they are better prepared to recognise potential consequences of current world events.

The members of Associazione Microcosmo has developed a program that they are taking into the local schools, to help the children understand the history of their region.

Gianpiero Vaccaro provides a great commentary during the walk around Belvedere, pointing out the path of approach of the 100th Bn and the various key positions held by the Germans.

And of course there was more food!... And wine!

A very nice end to our tour indeed.

15/04/2024

Another great day as we gathered in Pasquilio.

Joined by town council representatives from Massa and from Montignoso, the Partisans (ANPI), lots of local residents and of course our re-enactor friends and hosts for the day from the Linea Gotica Tirrenica, we are ready for a closer look at the often forgotten battle at Monte Belvedere under the guidance of local historian and author Davide del Giudice.

Davide went out of his way to uncover foxholes originally dug by the men of F Company and German fortifications. The sign posts sponsored by Selvaggio Pasquilio made it easy for everyone to identify the various points of interest on the battlefield.

For their continued efforts to preserve the history and unwavering support to the Nisei families and all who come to explore the high price paid for freedom in this area, the Linea Gotica Tirrrenica Association, Davide del Giudice and Federico Santucci were rightly formally recognised by the Go For Broke National Education Center.

Our appetite sharpened by the battlefield walk, international bonds were strengthened further over delicious food.

Several of the "regular" visiting Nisei relatives were presented with a token of appreciation for their presence. Most movingly, on the very day Noburo Miyolo was killed 79 years ago near Castelpoggio, his granddaughter Rachael was presented with a commemorative plaque by Linea Gotica Tirrenica.

Our infinite thanks to everyone for making this day happen.

14/04/2024

Moving on to the later stages of the Gothic Line Campaign.

We start the day with a memorial service for Stanley Hayami, killed by German sniper fire in San Terenzo while leaving his cover to assist wounded.

A visit to the very spot of this event gives a good visual of the circumstances and how his helmet ended up undiscovered for decades in a cellar. The local museum commemorates the 159 civilians that were executed in a reprisal act by SS-troops.

As always, there has to be good, homemade Italian food at Podere Beatrice! This time, there is birthday cake too... Happy birthday Mike!

At the memorial park in Tendola, the stories of Beano Hayashi, Joe Hayashi and Daniel Inouye are shared. But the most energetically told story comes from Mario Pomerini, who acts out how he witnessed the Nisei approaching the village and gives them warning of the German observation post above.

For their huge efforts in preserving, promoting and sharing the legacy of the Nisei - not only today, but every day - Mario Mariani and Roberto Oligeri are receiving recognittion from the Go For Broke National Education Center.

The members of the Società Mutuo Soccorso Tendola prepared some refreshments - and more food! - for our families. Too full still from lunch, the freshly baked tarts did provide a welcome snack by the time we made it back to the hotel.

Massive thanks to all involved for another great day.

14/04/2024

An easy day to recover from all that went on so far and to prepare for the things to come this weekend, when we really dive into the Gothic Line.

The story of Sadao Munemori and how his statue came to be in Pietrasanta, with in the background Monte Folgorito, lay the groundwork for our up-close look at the heights the 100th Bn took.

In Azzano, we check out the path leading out of town taken by 3rd Bn, followed by the 2nd Bn a day later.

And then there is food... best pizza party at RRistorante Michelangelo Di Mazzucchelli Silvia overlooking the Folgorito-Carchio ridge.

13/04/2024

It had to be done! 🙂

Closing out the day around Hill 140 with a quick visit to Vada, a coastal resort area where the Nisei enjoyed a brief period of recuperation after the hardest part of the Rome to Arno Campaign was over.

Last year, a photo panel was unveiled, showing the Nisei battalions marching towards the parade ground. The panel was placed in the very spot where the picture was taken on 29 July 1944.

So, line up everyone...

12/04/2024

For their continued efforts to preseve the history and friendship bonds, Toscana '44 and the Community of Castellina Marittima is recognised by the Go For Broke National Education Center.

And all that hiking up the hill has sharpened the appetite, which is catered to with copious amounts of delicious food at Papacqua!