Rising to the defense of their country. The Go For Broke Monument stands here in Little Tokyo. It commemorates the Japanese Americans who served in the United States Army during World War II. This memorial fills a gap in American history. Many of these soldiers remained unrecognized. They were unknown or forgotten by most Americans.
The Go For Broke Monument’s design began in 1991. It was dedicated on June 5, 1999. The monument is located at the end of North Central Street. It is next to the Japanese American National Museum. The public can access the monument at no cost.
The monument has a large semicircular face of polished black stone. It faces the sun as it travels across the southern sky. An American flag flies on a pole. It stands at the center of the monument. The monument’s curved back wall lists the names of 16126 Nisei soldiers. At the foot of the flag is the shoulder flash of the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Across the top of the face is the motto “Go For Broke.” Below that are the insignias of the segregated all-Nisei Army units. These include the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Also included are the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and other Nisei units.
“Remember Pearl Harbor” was the unit motto of the 100th Battalion. “Go for Broke” was that of the 442nd RCT. It has since been adopted as a motto for all Japanese-American units formed during World War II.
The monument’s main inscription describes their service. They served even as they were deprived of their constitutional rights. This occurred during the forced removal and incarceration period. The inscription uses the term concentration camps. This describes the facilities then officially called relocation centers. Ben Tamashiro, a 100th Infantry Battalion veteran, wrote the inscription.
Interpretive information is available. You can find it at the Japanese American National Museum and a kiosk. The monument is often attended by veterans of the Nisei units. They explain the monument and the events of World War II. They also answer questions.
The Go For Broke Monument signifies the sacrifices of the American WWII soldiers. They were of Japanese ancestry. They fought to prove their loyalty. They wanted to secure the rights and freedoms of future generations. It stands as a tribute to the Nisei soldiers and their families. Their families endured tremendous hardship during wartime.
The monument is engraved with the names of over 16000 Japanese American men and women. They served during the war in the European, Pacific, and China-Burma-India theaters.
The unique design of the Go For Broke Monument is the creation of Los Angeles architect Roger M. Yanagita. Bruce Kato was the construction engineer. Yanagita’s design was selected out of 138 entries. This was from a 1991 international competition.
The 40-foot wide circular monument is centered in a large square of natural paved stone. The approach to the monument is a checkered design of grass and granite. A band of grass encircles the entire base.
In front of the semicircle is a granite replica. It shows the 442nd RCT shoulder sleeve insignia. Palm trees are grouped behind the wall of names. Pairs of trees are arranged around the circle. Originally, the monument featured Japanese plum trees. In 2015, palm trees replaced the Japanese plum trees. The palm trees honor the many Japanese American soldiers who came from Hawaii.
President Harry S. Truman said, “You not only fought the enemy…you fought prejudice and won.” This monument stands as a reminder. It reminds us that never again shall any group be denied liberty and the rights of citizenship.