National Education Center
GFB Monument
Rising to the defense of their country, by the thousands they came — these young Japanese American soldiers from Hawai’i, 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 Tamashiro, 100th Infantry Battalion
Inscription on GFB Monument
GO FOR BROKE MONUMENT
The Go For Broke Monument signifies the sacrifices of the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry who made it their fight to prove their loyalty to their country and to secure the rights and freedoms of future generations. It stands as a tribute not only to the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) soldiers themselves, but also to their families who endured tremendous hardship during wartime.
The Monument is engraved with the names of more than 16,000 Japanese American men and women who served during the war in the European, Pacific and China-Burma-India theaters. The Japanese American soldiers served in the military units of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, 232nd Combat Engineer Company and 1399 Engineer Construction Battalion.
Located in the historic district of Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles, the Go For Broke Monument today welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year. The Monument is free and open to the public.
MONUMENT NAME LOCATOR
Search the online database to locate the name of one of the 16,000 Japanese American WWII veterans who may be engraved on the Go For Broke Monument. Through the database, the first and last name of the veteran, the unit and the panel and row of the listing can be accessed. Due to limited military records at the time the Monument was completed in 1999, only the veterans’ first initial and last name were available, in particular with many members of the Military Intelligence Service. For more information, contact [email protected].
HISTORY AND DESIGN
After a decade-long effort led by a dedicated group of Japanese American WWII veterans, the Go For Broke Monument was presented to the City of Los Angeles on June 5, 1999. The Monument, situated in downtown Los Angeles’ historic Little Tokyo, remains a striking reminder of the courage, patriotism and sacrifice of the over 33,000 Japanese American men and women who served during WWI, and forever ensures their place in American history.
MAINTENANCE FUND
Today, the Go For Broke Monument welcomes thousands of visitors year-round to honor and remember the Nisei soldiers. A Monument Maintenance Fund has been established to support the preservation of the Monument. We welcome and appreciate any and all donations to make sure that the Monument stands for generations to come.
- 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)
- 442nd Regimental Combat Team
- Military Intelligence Service
- 522nd Field Artillery Battalion
- 232nd Combat Engineer Company
- 1399 Engineer Construction Battalion
Located in the historic district of Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles, the Go For Broke Monument today welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year. The Monument is free and open to the public.