FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFAMED 442nd REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM HONORED ABOARD THE
BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE END OF WORLD WAR II
Special Ceremony in Pearl Harbor Marks the 73rd Anniversary of the War’s End on theDecks of the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945
Pearl Harbor, HI – (September 2, 2018) – Seventy-three years ago, World War II came to anend when Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on
September 2, 1945.
Veterans, active-duty servicemembers, military leaders and community members came togetheraboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial today to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the endof World War II. The ceremony featured a keynote address from Hawaii Governor David Ige,U.S. Army Colonel Thomas J. Barrett as the distinguished guest speaker, music by the U.S.
Pacific Fleet Band, and a rifle salute by the Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i’s 3rd Marine Regiment.
This year’s ceremony paid a special tribute to the establishment of the famed 442nd Regimental
Combat Team 75 years ago in Honolulu. Comprised entirely of Americans of Japaneseancestry, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought in many of the war’s bloodiest battles inEurope. Known for its motto, “Go for Broke,” the soldiers in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
became the most decorated unit in the history of American warfare due to its incredible
battlefield exploits.
Governor David Ige, whose father, the late Tokio Ige, was a decorated veteran of the 442ndRegimental Combat Team, highlighted the power of reconciliation noting that the Japan-U.S.
Alliance is the alliance of hope. “As we remember the end of World War II today, let’s also
remember the hope that General MacArthur and the hundreds of soldiers on board the Mighty
Mo had that day – to create a better world, founded upon faith and understanding forgenerations to come,” said Governor Ige.
Colonel Thomas J. Barrett, U.S. Army Garrison – Hawai‘i Commander, spoke about theoutstanding achievements of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the actions eachindividual soldier took to protect the freedoms that all Americans enjoy today.
“The soldiers of this regiment (442nd) understood and did their duty. This story of sacrifice andcourage by the men and their families is the story of America and one which we must neverforget,” said Col. Barrett. “They are a part of the generation who helped end the mostdestructive war in history and preserve the greatest nation on earth.”
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team earned over 9,000 purple hearts, eight presidential unit
citations awarded, 21 medals of honor, 29 distinguished service crosses and hundreds of silver
and bronze stars, setting the stage for the eventual surrender aboard the USS Missouri, andlaying the foundations for lasting peace throughout the pacific.

Pier Foxtrot-5, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor
63 Cowpens St. • Honolulu, HI 96818 • Ph: (808) 423-2263 • Fax: (808) 423-0700 • www.ussmissouri.org

Battleship Missouri Memorial Commemorates 73rd Anniversary of End of World War IIPage 2

About the Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than eight
million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS
Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona
Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day ofinfamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ends withJapan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II,
the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to theUSS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association
operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care andpreservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. General admission,
which includes choice of an optional tour, is $29 per adult and $13 per child (4-12). Military,kama‘aina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations,call (toll-free) 1-877-644-4896 or visit USSMissouri.org.
###Please credit images to the Battleship Missouri MemorialCaption: 73rd Anniversary of the End of World War II commemorative ceremony took placeaboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial’s fantail.
Link: https://imgur.com/XqP0eKo, https://imgur.com/jEGAVmq

Caption: The American flag being raised prior to the start of the 73rd Anniversary of the End ofWorld War II commemorative ceremony.
Link: https://imgur.com/CqRYRkg

Battleship Missouri Memorial Commemorates 73rd Anniversary of End of World War II
Page 3Caption: Governor David Ige, a keynote speaker at today’s ceremony with Tim Guard,
chairman of the USS Missouri Memorial Association.
Link: https://imgur.com/NRG5Pk8

Caption: Art Albert, former USS Missouri crewmember and WWII veteran with Major Brian
Koyn who performed the invocation and benediction at the 73rd Anniversary of the End of WorldWar II commemorative ceremony.
Link: https://imgur.com/VqGnGm0

Caption: Colonel Thomas J. Barrett, U.S. Army Garrison – Hawai‘i Commander served as theBattleship Missouri Memorial’s distinguished guest speaker at today’s ceremony.
Link: https://imgur.com/UMZebqJ

Caption: Two members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team attended the September 2commemoration ceremony. Left to right: Robert Kishinami and Toshiaki Tanaka.
Link: https://imgur.com/uSFJ3xt

Battleship Missouri Memorial Commemorates 73rd Anniversary of End of World War IIPage 4Caption: Veterans of the military order of the purple heart and sailors aboard the Mighty Mo.
Link: https://imgur.com/ZReceLV

Caption: Rifle salute by the 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i.
Link: https://imgur.com/GFuKIZpMedia Contact:
Shere’e Quitevis(808) 741-1668
Sheree.Quitevis@AnthologyGroup.com
Jaclyn Hawse(808) 455-1600 ext. 246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org