We wanted to take a moment today to pay tribute to a member of the greatest generation who we lost in 2015.

Susumu Ito of Wellesley, Massachusetts died in September at the age of 96.

He was a veteran of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, the most decorated unit of its size in American military history.

The 442nd fought mostly in Europe in World War II. It was composed almost entirely of Japanese-American soldiers.

Many of them had families who were interned by the US government because they were perceived as a threat to national security.

Here and Now’s Emiko Tamagawa spoke with him in 2013.

Guest

  • Susumu Ito, retired Harvard professor who served with the 442nd unit in World War II.
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate