letter, from Kazuo Masuda to his family while in the Army, Italy, 08/02/1944
date: label: date made
content: 08/02/1944
notes: label: Description
content: This letter was written by Kazuo Masuda to his family while he was stationed in Italy, dated August 2, 1944. The right top of the letter says "still somewhere in Italy." Masuda tells his family he finally visited Rome on his four-day break. He tells them it is the center of the Catholic religion, and that Rome is called "the eternal city". Masuda states he has seen many beautiful churches, with his favorite being the Church of St. Peter's, which is also the largest Christian church in the world. Masuda states he also visited the Colosseum. Masuda said in his letter that he was sending a picture drawn by an artist to the family and also about other gifts he sent from Rome.
label: Description
content: Kazuo Masuda was a Nisei and American World War II hero who was killed in action in Italy on August 27, 1944. His heroic actions led to a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross medal award. Kazuo Masuda was born on November 30, 1918, and he was drafted into Selective Service in 1940. His family was among those rounded up for the prison camps, and they were sent to Jerome, Arkansas, and Gila River in Arizona.
label: Description
content: Because of the war, Masuda was barred from serving active duty until the 442nd unit was formed. Masuda shipped off to Italy, assigned to the “F” Company, 2nd Battalion of the 442nd unit. Masuda would never return while he was alive.
label: Description
content: It was Masuda’s actions in Italy that earned him the posthumous medal—on July 6, 1944, his observation post came under heavy enemy fire. Masuda crawled two hundred yards to secure a mortar tube and ammunition, then returned to his post. For twelve continuous hours, Masuda fired on the enemy, successfully turning back two major counteroffensives and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. That August, on the 27th, Masuda sacrificed himself to save his men. He voluntarily led two men on a night patrol along the banks of the Arno River in Italy. Masuda heard noises, and ordered the two men to stay behind as he scouted ahead on his belly. Masuda swiftly realized he was trapped by the enemy, and he told the two men to withdraw while he courageously confronted two automatic weapons by himself. Masuda was killed by enemy fire, but his actions saved the lives of his comrades, and they were available to deliver valuable information that led to the successful crossing across the Arno River.
label: Description
content: Staff Sergeant Kazuo Masuda has a middle school named after him in Fountain Valley, California. His story is featured in a book titled "From the Battlefields to the Homefront: The Kazuo Masuda Legacy," written by Russell K. Shoho. Staff Sergeant Kazuo Masuda’s story was essential to the Redress Movement as well; his sister reminded then-President Ronald Reagan of Masuda’s story and his heroic actions, which influenced the President to sign the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Japanese American
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Masao Masuda
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2015.0105.014
label: accession number
content: 2015.0105
label: catalog number
content: 2015.0105.014
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Letter
label: Object Name
content: letter
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: paper (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: ink (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 10 3/4 in x 8 in; 27.305 cm x 20.32 cm