Three Forks in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The 442nd

Regimental Combat Team

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2021

1. The 442nd Marker

Inscription. "The Nisei bought an awful big hunk of America with their blood." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell ''You fought the enemy abroad and prejudice at home and you won." - President Harry Truman, July 1946 This memorial is to recognize and honor the men and women of Japanese ancestry who served and fought for America in World War II. These Nesei, second generation American born citizens of Japanese immigrant parents, fought in Italy and France as members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were not allowed to serve in the military, as they were classified "4-C, enemy alien." However, in 1943, President Roosevelt signed a law to create a unit made entirely of Japanese Americans. This 442nd RCT went on to become the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for it size and length of service.
The 442 story has a strong Three Forks connection. There were several Japanese families living here, whose sons and daughters went off to fight the war in Europe.
This memorial was conceived by Three Forks residents Bud and Esther Lilly. Bud grew up in Manhattan and knew

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the Three Forks Japanese American kids, playing against them in basketball and football. From his own WWII military service, Bud understood the Nisei story and the special role of the 442nd RCT in the War. This Memorial salutes these men and women.

This unit was designated the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, but would go down in history based upon the unit's motto:
"Go For Broke"

George Oiye
As an engineering student at Montana State College, George was not allowed to enlist in 1941. Like all Japanese Americans, he was classified "4-C enemy alien,: even though he was required to take RoTC and was captain of the rifle team. His sister was held in an interment camp. For his service, George was decorated with a Bonze Star. After the war he worked in the aerospace industry as a specialist in optical engineering and designed technology use on the International Space Station.

The Satke Family
Four members of the Stake family were war, John, Frank, King, and Irene. Irene retired from the Service as a Colonel. Brother Jim was too young to serve in the war but joined the military later.

Yokichi Itoh
A star

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2021

2. The 442nd Marker

athlete at Three Forks High School, Yokichi played basketball and was an all-state half back on the football team. Quarterback George Oiye said, "I just gave You the ball and got out of the way." After being seriously injured in the war, You graduated from medical school at Temple University. Following his training, he returned to Livingston, Montana, where he was a general practitioner from 1956 to 1985. He was respected for his clinical competence and appreciated for his gentle and caring manner.

"Blood that has soaked into the sands of a beach is all of one color. America stands unique in the world, the only country not founded on race, but on a way - an ideal. Not in spite of, but because of our polyglot background, we have had all the strength in the world. That is the American way." - Captain Ronald Reagan, 1945 "They were superb! That word correctly describes it: superb! The took terrific casualties. They showed rare courage and tremendous fighting spirit. Not too much can be said of the performance of those battalions in Europe and everybody wanted them...." - General George C. Marshall

Erected by Bud and Esther

In Memory of All Vetrans Who Served Their Country in War and Peace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 26, 2021

3. In Memory of All Vetrans Who Served Their Country in War and Peace

Located next to the 422nd Memorial.

Lilly.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • War, World II.

Location. 45° 53.776′ N, 111° 33.067′ W. Memorial is in Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is on North Main Street (State Highway 2) near Cottonwood, on the right when traveling north. This memorial is in Three Fork's Memorial (Veteran's) Park which is bordered by North Main Street, North 1st Avenue and East Neal Street. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Three Forks MT 59752, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Park (here, next to this marker); Headwaters of the Missouri River

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Three Forks of the Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Americans (within shouting distance of this marker); European Interest in the Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); Fur Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana Purchase - 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Arrive at the Headwaters July, 1805 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Forks.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.