Go for Broke Monument facts for kids

The Go For Broke Monument in Little Tokyo, California, is a special memorial. It honors Japanese Americans who served in the United States Army during World War II. An architect named Roger M. Yanagita designed it. His design was chosen from many others from all over the world.

The monument was built starting in 1991. It was officially opened on June 5, 1999. You can find it at the end of North Central Street. It is right next to the Japanese American National Museum. Anyone can visit the monument for free.

What is the Go For Broke Monument?

The monument has a large, shiny black stone face. It is shaped like a half-circle. This stone faces the sun as it moves across the sky. Next to it is a pole where the American flag flies high.

Honoring Brave Soldiers

The curved back wall of the monument lists many names. It has the names of 16,126 nisei soldiers. Nisei are second-generation Japanese Americans. At the bottom of the flag pole, you can see the symbol of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This team was made up entirely of Nisei soldiers.

On the top of the monument's face, you will see the motto: "Go For Broke". Below this, there are symbols of other Nisei Army units. These include the famous 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Other units honored are the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, the 232nd Combat Engineer Company, and the 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion.

The 100th Battalion's motto was "Remember Pearl Harbor!". The 442nd RCT's motto was "Go for Broke". This phrase has now become a motto for all Japanese American units from World War II.

The Monument's Important Message

The main part of the monument is a large message carved into its face. It explains how these soldiers served their country. They did this even when their rights were taken away. This happened during a time when many Japanese Americans were forced to live in special camps. These were called "relocation centers" by the government. The monument's inscription uses the term concentration camps to describe these places.

The message was written by Ben Tamashiro. He was a veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He was also known for appearing in many TV ads for the Bank of Hawaii. His former commanding officer, Col. Young Oak Kim, asked him to write the words. Tamashiro's words were chosen, with one small change. He had written "internment camps," but it was changed to "concentration camps" on the monument.

You can learn more about the monument at the Japanese American National Museum. There is also a special information stand next to the monument. Sometimes, veterans who served in these Nisei units visit the monument. They share stories about World War II and answer questions.

Main Inscription

The main message on the monument reads:

GO FOR BROKE – An American Story

Rising to the defense of their country, by the thousands they came – these young Japanese American soldiers from Hawaii, the states, America's concentration camps – to fight in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. Looked upon with suspicion, set apart and deprived of their constitutional rights, they nevertheless remained steadfast and served with indomitable spirit and uncommon valor, for theirs was a fight to prove loyalty. This legacy will serve as a sobering reminder that never again shall any group be denied liberty and the rights of citizenship. – Ben H. Tamashiro

Famous Words About Their Service

Below the main inscription, there are powerful quotes from important leaders:

You not only fought the enemy . . . you fought prejudice and won. – President Harry S. Truman said this when he welcomed the 100th/442nd RCT home.

Never in military history did an army know as much about the enemy prior to actual engagement – General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander in the Pacific, said this about the MIS.

My fellow Americans, we gather here today to right a grave wrong . . . now let me sign H.R. 442. – President Ronald Reagan said this when he signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This act apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans.

The Nisei saved countless lives and shortened the war by two years – Charles A. Willoughby, General MacArthur's Intelligence Officer, said this about the MIS.