ww2 minorities lecture EDSC 304 Klee

1. MINORITY UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2

2. MINORITIES PRIOR TO THE WAR
• Prior to the war, minorities in the United States were seen as second class citizens.
• In the south, Jim Crow and his laws reigned supreme over African Americans.
• Minorities were often not allowed to live in white neighborhoods

3. 442ND
REGIMENTAL
COMBAT TEAM

4. WHO WERE THEY?
• The 442nd Infantry Regiment was composed of Nisei or first generation Japanese-
Americans.
• Executive Order 9066 targeted Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. It
stated that they would be relocated to internment camps for “national safety.”
• In Hawaii, internment was impossible, but the Japanese Americans were given the
opportunity to enlist into the US Army and fight in Europe to “prove their loyalty.”

5. WHAT DID THEY DO?
• The 442nd Infantry Regiment is the most decorated military unit in America’s
history.
• Of the 14,000 men that served in the regiment, almost 9,500 Purple Hearts were
earned, eight Presidential Unit Citations, and 21 Medals of Honor.
• Served valiantly in Italy, France, and Germany.
• Most importantly, served their country honorably despite the injustices
committed against their race at home during the war.
• Why do you think the 442nd served with distinction during the war? Perhaps to
prove the nation wrong about the camps? Explain.

6. TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

7. WHO WERE THEY?
• Nickname given to pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group.
• Was the first group to have African American pilots and crews. This was the first
time in American history this occurred.
• Trained in the use of the new P-51 Mustang fighter bomber.

8. WHAT DID THEY DO?
• Flew successful missions over Italy and Germany
• Earned numerous decorations, including: distinguished flying crosses, presidential
unit citations, and air medals.
• Broke race barriers in a nation that had states living with Jim Crow Laws.
• What would the creation of this unit do in regards of the precedent of having
minorities in positions that were previously held by only white people?

9. MISSIONS
The Airmen would go on almost 180 bomber
escort and bombing missions.
Out of all the missions, they would only lose 27
bombers on only 7 missions.
To contrast, the other units lost almost double
the aircraft and crew.

10. Over 600
railcars
350 trucks
and jeeps

11. Sank 40 boats/barges
Sank a German Torpedo Boat
Destroyed over 400 aircraft

12. NAVAJO
CODE
TALKERS

13. WHO WERE THEY?

14. WHAT DID THEY DO?
• In order to prevent the Japanese from interpreting their radio messages, the code
talkers used their unique language to ensure security.
• The Japanese were never able to intercept their messages, and therefore kept the
Americans on the islands a little bit safer.
• Why did the United States decide to use the Native Americans? What would have
happened if they continued to use English on their radios?