 White House Photo, Lawrence Jackson President Barack Obama image:66419:2::0 
 
 The new law will recognize over 6,000 Japanese-Americans born of immigrant parents who served our country and fought in battles in Europe and Asia.Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the Neisi Veterans will soon receive the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal award. Nisei refers to Japanese Americans born to immigrants who went overseas to fight for the United States, while the U.S. government kept their families locked in detention camps for the duration of the war“While some Japanese-Americans were being wrongly interned due only to their ethnicity, these brave men stepped forward to defend our nation," Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) said. "The Congressional Gold Medal will honor the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service for their heroic service and sacrifice during World War II.The 442nd, made up of Americans of Japanese ancestry who volunteered to fight, is the most decorated Army unit of its size and length of service in the history of the United States. The Military Intelligence Service provided the U.S. with valuable language and cultural knowledge, translating intercepted intelligence and helping the U.S. achieve victory in the Pacific reports the office of Daniel Akaka.The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors presented to people who serve the security and national interests of the United States.
– President Obama today signed legislation to honor Japanese-American soldiers who fought on behalf of the Allies during World War II—even as some of their families were kept in confinement in the US. This long-awaited bill will open the door for more than 6,000 soldiers known as Nisei veterans to collectively receive the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. For more on the vets, see the Digital Journal or Oregon Public Broadcasting.