The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-02
JapaneSe-AmericanS Help Avenge Pearl HarbOr By Fighting NaziS

Special to NEA Service
 With the American Army in Italy Nov. 2-There are few if any more loyal soldiers than the Japanese Americans of the tooth Infantry Bat talion now fighting the Nazis in this theater.
 That's the word of soldier-com- rades and officers whose story, al- though necessarily brief because of security, is told here for publication for the first time: A picture of their few days in a port of authorization and their trip to this theater which shows them loyal, democratic, ear- rest, ready to fight-and inveterate gamblers.
 They went into the fight in Italy shouting Remember Pearl Harbor' which totally confused the enemy and, to lesser degree, confused some Americans.
 SAW LAPS ATTACK
 Americans are sensitive about Pearl Harbor, but the tooth Infan- try Battalion - recruited from loyal Japanese-Americans in the Hawaiian Islands - is especially resentful. So are most of their friends and relatives, as evidenced by a letter signed by hundreds oi Japanese American girls in Ha- waii mad received just as the unit left its port of embarkation. The letter said:
 Beloved Friends and Brothers of the tooth Infantry:
 We are so proud that you are able to represent us from the Ha- waiian Islands and that you have been given the opportunity of be- ing organized and of going into active combat as a unit: We know you recognize the great obligation that rests upon you proving to the world your Americanism and ours. Because of the suspicion that hangs over us as result of our racial background, yer must be not just as good as other American soldiers, you must be just a little bit better. Know that you carry with you our love and confidence. "
 That love and confidence-and the valor of the 10Oth-was proved on the plains below Naples.
 To the men who commanded and staffed the United States Army transport which took the unit from American shores toward the invasion of Italy, the quick and eager cour- age of the soldiers came as no sur- prise.
 Transport Commander Richardson Bronson said, Tt was a privilege to transport these men. We came to re- Spect them as soldiers. Their train ing and disciplin was beyond re- preach. They kept their quarters positively immaculate. Their weap- ons they treated in a manner to satisfy the toughest top-kick."
 High morale of the troops was attested by Chaplain James R. Helms. He said that attendance of the men at religious services was high and that Il asked for and re- ceived Christian baptism during the voyage or immediately after land- ing. One evening after debarka- tion, 1900 of the 1925 men in the group attended services on 8 hill which short time before American boys had fought and won . bloody battle.
 FRIENDLY GAMBLERS
 They gamble incessantly," said Chaplain Helms, "but there were no squabbles or arguments over money. One soldier went into Q crap ame broke but man in the gae tossed hlm three $1O bills and he soon ran the stake into several hundred dol- lars. was little perturbed to notice that the winner didn't return the loan, and I spoke of 1t to one of the soldiers watching the game.
 "'Oh,' said the soldier, he didn't lend him the money. He just gave it to him.