Memorial honors a storied WWII unit

The next time you’re near Montrose Cemetery seek out the memorial installed in 1986 by the American Legion Post 1183 dedicated to honoring Veterans of Japanese descent who have served in the U.S. military. Nisei Post 1183 of the American Legion was formed to honor the Veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team of World War II, units consisting solely of Japanese Americans. Thousands of young Japanese American men joined the U.S. Army to defend the country, becoming the most highly decorated unit in American military history. In 1946, President Harry Truman gave the highest stamp of approval of Nisei loyalty, stating, “You fought the enemy abroad and prejudice at home and you won.”