I was thinking what would make an appropriate milestone review for #5,900, and I realized I was just looking at this monument when Jamie W. and I were down in LA a few weeks ago. I've seen it before but not since the #StopAsianHate movement had taken hold of our broader consciousness. Or has it? To some degree, I suppose, but we all feel the 'hate' in different ways. Anyway, if there were hashtags back in WWII, I'm sure one would be #KillThe... and you can complete that with any racist epithet you've heard directed toward Japanese-Americans. In that spirit, there were over 16,000 Japanese-Americans who enlisted in the US Army during WWII at the same time they were denigrated for their heritage and physical resemblance to the enemy. This monument is a moving tribute to the otherwise unheralded Japanese-American military effort in the European theatre. All their names were inscribed on the curved back of the black polished stone that makes up the monument. The reference to the phrase "Go for Broke" was a Hawaiian pidgin variation of "go big or go home" used by the 442nd Regional Combat Team. My dad was too young to enlist back then, but I've seen a very old MGM movie about their exploits. Pretty good...it's on YouTube and called "Go for Broke" of course. My one quibble about the monument is its location. It makes sense in Little Tokyo, but it's also surrounded by a pay parking lot, and ignorant hipsters appear to use it to leave their rented scooters. The Geffen Contemporary also interrupts the flow to the Japanese American National Museum where greater context is provided for the monument. I think a more pastoral setting would've been more appropriate. RELATED - Exploring LA? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2TWT63v read more

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I've been to the Go For Broke Monument several times, it's a grand testament to the Japanese-American soldiers of World War II. It's located near Japan town, the Japanese-American National Museum, and the Go For Broke Education Center. Named after the motto of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, GFB is a gamblers term, Hawaiian pidgin for "shoot the works." First opened in 1999, in the aftermath of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act that initiated a formal apology and $20,000 reparation for former internees still living. Although a lot of the design symbolism is based around the battle history of the 100th/442nd RCT (for example the semi-circle is inclined after the "banzai" hill they charged during the Lost Battalion battle), the monument does honor other JA soldiers and units: 522nd Field Artillery Battalion; 1399th Engineer Battalion (Construction); the interpreters of the Military Intelligence Service; and JA women who joined the Women's Army Corps. One distinctive feature of the GFB monument are the names of the approximate 16,000 JA servicemembers who served in World War II engraved on the monument You can search by name and find their location on the monument at https://www.goforbroke.org/visit/monument/monument_design.php. The physical locator kiosk at the monument is inoperative at this monument. I have several relatives whose names are engraved on the monument. It's a nice way to honor their memory when I visit. Repeat and recommend! read more

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This was a free monument to look at, walk around, and reflect. It is a memorial for 16k+ Japanese Americans that fought for our country in WWII . It was really neat to read how it was designed as it was thought through with a lot of symbolism. Seeing all the names etched on the side also made it really come to life even though I didn't personally know any of the names. Small but well done memorial! read more

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Unfortunately, racial discrimination is not a new concept and has been a worldwide phenomenon since humans have existed. When in the past people of different race, ethnicity, religion, language, culture meet, there is often a clash of interests, power, economics that may translate to "fear of the other". The result can be genocide, apartheid, enslavement, ghettoization, discrimination, exploitation. Due to the tide of pre-World War II "yellow peril" prejudice and the attack of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese military dIctatorship, outright animosities between Japan & the United States morphed domestically into the forced removal of all people of Japanese ancestry to U.S. concentration (not death) camps, whether they were U.S. citizens or Japanese nationals, who were not able to naturalize because of anti-Asian U.S. immigration laws at the time. So far as is known, no Japanese American was ever found to have carried out treasonous acts against the U.S. The evacuees had about 48 hours to get their affairs in order, and only pack what they could carry. They were unconstitutionally incarcerated in desolate concentration camps for over 4 years so many lost their homes, businesses, livelihoods, farms, a lifetime of hard work and forced to live in austere, crowded multiple family barracks with no privacy, no normal home life. Some even lost their lives since the forced move was too much for the old & infirm. Ironically, Japanese Americans in the American territory of Hawai'i who made up 40% of the population were not incarcerated, even though Hawai'i was directly attacked by the Japanese military, since much of the economic activity of the islands would stop. Although being treated so badly and illegally forcibly interned, many Japanese Americans wanted to prove their loyalty by volunteering in the U.S. military. They distinguished themselves as the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. "Eventual total of about 14,000 men served overall. The unit earned more than 18,000 awards in less than two years, including 9,486 Purple Hearts and 4,000 Bronze Star Medals. The unit was awarded eight Presidential Unit Citations  (five earned in one month). Twenty-one of its members were awarded Medals of Honor.  In 2010, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and associated units who served during World War II, and in 2012, all surviving members were made chevaliers of the French Légion d'Honneur for their actions contributing to the liberation of France and their heroic rescue of the Lost Battalion." Their motto was "Go for Broke", a Hawai'an Pidgin phrase meaning risk everything in an all-out effort. 442nd Regimental Combat Team 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) 522nd Field Artillery Battalion All this heroism, sacrifice, loyalty to the United States while the same soldiers' families were behind barbed wires while not having commited any crime whatsoever. We Americans can be proud of our nation, but we should also remember our past historic mistakes that unfortunately involved Blacks, Indigenous Americans, Gays, Latinos, Women, etc. so that we don't make the same errors again. read more

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I've been here twice - once in the daytime and once at night. Both times were awesomely inspiring! Located in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, this Memorial can be viewed 24/7. Our American flag stands guard as a symbol of patriotism and dedication to our Nation. It looks like a beacon of hope at night as a spotlight shines on it and our American flag! I'm not of Japanese descent, but I'm still proud of the 442 and proud to be American! "Go For Broke" was the motto of this US Infantry Unit. It was the most decorated unit (Purple Hearts, Presidential Unit Citations, and Medals of Honor) and was composed mostly of descendants of Japanese immigrants who were born in the USA. There is a kiosk at which one can find the locations of names. I didn't use it, but I am aware that it is there. If I had more time, I would look up US Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii who was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor in 2000. He is known for being the highest ranking Asian American politician in the history of the United States (3rd in line for the seat of US President). Senator Inouye had lost his right arm in a grenade accident in World War II and as a result, changed his career path and obtained a Law Degree from George Washington University instead of becoming a surgeon. He never lost an election and was the most senior US Senator when he passed away in 2012 at the age of 88. It's FREE to view this landmark, so it's recommended if you are in the area! It was easier to park on the street at night, but the daytime is probably safer with better visibility. Enjoy! read more

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After touring the Japanese American National Museum on 1st Street, I walked back to my car parked in a lot near the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on N Central Avenue (closer to E Temple Street). Feeling a bit emotional from what I had just seen, I thought a visit into the Geffen would cheer me up. However, I noticed this huge black semi-circular monument and walked to it instead. It turned out that this polished black stone semi-circle is the "GO FOR BROKE" monument which commemorates the Japanese Americans who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Its curved back lists the names of over 16,000 Nisei (second-generation) soldiers. Across the top of the face is the motto "GO FOR BROKE" and below are the insignia of the segregated, all-Nisei Army units: the famed 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, other all-Nisei units of lesser notoriety, such as Military Intelligence, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, 232nd Combat Engineering Company and 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion are included. The monument's main feature, a large inscription on the face, describes how they served even as they were being deprived of their constitutional rights during the period of forced removal and incarceration. This inscription uses the term concentration camps to describe the facilities then officially called relocation centers. As I stood in respect (as I do at Waikīkī's Brothers in Valor Monument), I felt more reverence for the Japanese Americans who willingly fought and died for America in spite of having their dignity taken away from them and their families during World War II by fellow Americans. GO FOR BROKE - An American Story! read more

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I've been trying to explore more of my family's history and was really happy to see that there was a Go For Broke Monument. Both my grandfather and uncle served, so it was really cool to see that they were both immortalized in this dedication. I'm not sure if my grandfather knew that this existed before he passed away, but I took my parents to see it and they were both glad we made the visit. Prior to visiting the monument, we checked out the Go For Broke National Education Center. The employee was really helpful and looked up my grandfather and uncle for us on their computer and wrote down where their names were located on the monument. This was so helpful because there are so many rows of names that surround this monument. Pros: -Free (you just need to find parking) -If you visit the Go for Broke National Education Center, they can locate people on the monument for you -Great piece that recognizes all the individuals that served in the 442nd! -Located in a great area...Museums, restaurants, and stores are a short walking distance away Cons: -N/A read more

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We Americans have so much to be thankful of our armed forces for our freedoms. All thanks to our military force branches, we are kept safe and our freedoms are constantly protected. This place is one of many memorials that help us all revere our country's protectors and remember the huge undertaking and tasks they carried out in order to get our freedoms upheld. Freedom unfortunately sometimes comes with a price. There's much love put into this monument to remember the significance of the efforts of those who are part of our military forces and those who passed on as a result of the challenges. A huge significance of this monument is that it remembers the mainland and Hawaii Japanese men who made up the 442nd Army regiment that fought in the war (WWII) against Japan after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on the Island of Oahu on December 7th in 1941, years before Hawaii became an official state in the Union in 1959. 442nd members were Americans of Japanese descent who were already current residents and citizens of the U.S. either living on the West Coast on the mainland or Hawaii but bc of their ancestry were thought (back then) to be the enemy bc of that early morning Japan airplane raid attack. As a result of the attack, entire Japanese families on the West Coast mainland were put into internment like concentration camps; in Hawaii, concentration camps were not feasible bc the Japanese population at the time was so huge 150,000 in relation to the total number of 400,000 residents and doing so would have greatly negatively impacted the islands since Japanese men and women were present in every kind of job level. The great thing the young Hawaii Americans did was to petition the U.S. government to form a regiment of their own; an amazing 10,000 Hawaii Japanese submitted their names to be enlisted of which 3,000 (compared to 800 mainlanders who enlisted) were actually called to service (sent to the mainland to be put into service). The final mainland-Hawaii group would consist of those of Japanese ancestry willing to participate in preserving the freedoms of people of this world and in our United States. Their abundant accomplishments as recognized through their many awards helped win over and prove to all fellow Americans that their allegiance to our United States was just as strong and true, and just as a united effort as any other American's; however, the sad reality was that it took a really long time (decades, actually) for the public to stop their contempt of these Americans who just happened to be of Japanese descent. I am proud of their accomplishments and stick-to-it-iveness to protect their fellow Americans both abroad and once they came home. As a result of their successful efforts, in the short- and long-run they were able to show and prove to fellow Americans just how loyal they are to our beloved country. The (center) monument's curved back wall lists the names of the 16,126 nisei soldiers. The upright black monuments left and right of the center monument list significant honors and awards of members of this unit and also includes the names of donors, ppl, families, and businesses, who helped made this memorial possible. At the foot of the flag (nearest the center monument) is the shoulder flash of the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental unit. There are Japanese seedling trees (one is a cherry blossom) in planters surrounding the front of the monument. Hopefully one day they'll be strong enough to be planted into the ground. I can imagine how pretty they'll look! :) There's a recorded history kiosk - at the very front hear a recorded message about the memorial and about those who participated in the war effort but the kiosk looked very weathered and did not seem to be in working order. Visitation to this memorial is free; the monument stands in an open area just a step in from the sidewalk. You just need to find parking or find a way over. (Paid meter) street parking around the entire huge block probably will be difficult to find but it is possible if you're not on any time crunch. We parked in this Little Tokyo area at the Little Village Plaza parking garage for $10 for 6 hours (I think it was $6) and walked over (across the street to pass thru between the Japanese war museum buildings to the opposite side of the entire block almost to the other parallel street) to sight-see the surrounding Little Tokyo area; the Little Village Plaza paid parking structure entrance is just around the corner from this monument (down to the end of the street take a right and then a super brief right into the parking lot). Nadine C. & Jules Y. 12/2016 LA adventure, review #10 of ___ read more

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Nadine wanted to see this and since we were in the area we stopped by to check it out. A very nice display. I don't know what else to write about this memorial. If you are in the downtown area in Little Tokyo this is a good thing to see. Part of history and the Japanese culture. read more

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Heroes and remembrance. That's what this monument is about. I'm not Japanese American, but you don't have to be to appreciate everything that these men did for our country. And I think you just have to be human to be moved by the incredible circumstances that these men rose above to sacrifice and fight for our country. It was midnight last night when we were walking past the memorial on the way back from a late dinner at Suehiro. I was with Yoshi and Yoshi's parents and Yoshi's Mom had never seen the memorial. Her father was a 442nd vet. Yoshi and I had gone before to take photographs of the memorial and of Grandpa's name, but it had been a while and we couldn't remember exactly where his name was. We would have used the electronic kiosk to look it up, but a homeless guy was sleeping there. So we headed in the general direction and we began to scour the walls for the one name we were connected to and in doing so, we read through hundreds and hundreds of names. Wow. As Yoshi's Dad said, "A lot of guys, man... a lot of guys..." I am incredibly humbled by how these men chose to fight for a country that had taken everything from them, locked them away behind barbed wire and pointed guns at them... and despite all that, these guys still volunteered to defend this nation... our nation... true American heroes every one. We had been standing out in the dark and the cold for a while when Yoshi reminded me I had an iPhone and could look up the location of the name we were searching for through the website, but as I loaded up the search, Yoshi's Mom cried out, "Oh! I found him! There's Dad!" And there it was... amidst the thousands and thousands of names engraved in stone, there was the name of our hero... Mom's father... Yoshi's grandfather, and the great-grandfather of our (future) children. And then we all looked at it, remembering him in silence, because really, there are just no words for a moment like that. So in the darkness of midnight, lit only by the lights shining upon the memorial with the cherry blossoms blooming all around, four souls connected to remember the heroes of the past. Thank you, all you heroes. We will never forget. read more

Go For Broke Monument - The Inscription of the Go For Broke Monument - Educational Services Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Quoting from their brochure: "The Go For Broke Monument is the first of its kind on the mainland U.S. that includes the names of soldiers of the 100th, 442nd, RCT, MIS and others who served overseas during WW II. Dedicate in 1999 and located in Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), it is a 40 foot wide granite circle reaching nine feet high, and engraved with 16,000 names. The Monument tells an "American Story" and serves as a permanent reminder that never again shall any group be denied liberty and the rights of citizenship." ______________________________________________________ We had never even heard of this monument until we went to the Japanese American Museum and noticed a sign that said, "Go for Broke" monument with an arrow pointing the way. You can't see the monument until you get close. It is hidden away about a block from the JA Museum. It is near the corner of Temple and Alameda, near the LAPD Parking lot. There was a group of five 442nd and 100th Battalion vets seated at a table with brochures and information. We spoke to them about the memorial and their experiences. The city keeps discussing a plan to make a park out of some of the parking lot to provide a better setting for the monument. The vets seemed so humble despite what they had gone through. We thanked them for their service and they sort of just shrugged as if we were just thanking them for holding the door open for us. The "Go for Broke" phrase was coined by the 442nd RCT meaning give it your all. These segregated soldiers became the most highly decorated unit in military history. They suffered the highest casualties of any WW II unit. They rescued the "Lost Battalion" as well as helped to liberate Jewish survivors from a death march and sub-camp of Dachau. Their website is filled with lots of information plus interviews with hundreds of the veterans, who are now well into their 80's. Go for Broke National Education Center: http://www.goforbroke.org/ Little Tokyo Office 361 E. 1st St Los Angeles CA 90012 213-625-0780 read more

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Loved that it was a part of the free museum event today and how we can write on a card about a time we had to use courage and you hang it and get to inspire someone else that may need to read those words of encouragement. Beautiful idea. Wish it was bigger but totally worth it. read more

Go For Broke Monument - Got to visit the go for broke museum. Very interactive and educational. Loved it - Educational Services Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The monument is not actually at the above address, it's around the corner, past the Japanese American National Museum, past the Center for Democracy, in the sort of No Man's Land between the parking lot at Temple and Alameda and the Geffen Contemporary. Normally, I'd knock off a star or two for its stark surroundings (parking lots all around), but what these guys did DESERVES a monument, and if it's gotta be in the middle of a parking lot, then goddamnit, that's good enough for me. Good enough for them too, as these guys were so modest, they almost never talked about their achievements, which led them to become the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. Not only did they suffer enormous casualties (many of them later came to believe they were cannon fodder, thrown at seemingly lost causes because they were Japanese American and therefore that much more expendable), but many of them either volunteered or were drafted out of internment camps, so they were fighting for the freedom and justice that their own families were being denied. In one of the more famous battles, they lost 800 men to save 200 of the "Lost Battalion". These guys are true heroes - the stories are amazing! Part of their team were among the first Allied soldiers to liberate Auschwitz. They were ordered to stay put, but when they saw the starving victims of the concentration camps, they used artillery to blow the locks of the gates and began giving them water and whatever provisions they had. There are more than 1600 names of the men (my dad was one of them) in these segregated units that fought overseas in World War II, and though the monument itself is as modest as the men to whom it's dedicated, you can learn from the old guys who are usually there manning it, helping people find the names of family, friends, or other loved ones. You can also learn more from the Go For Broke Foundation, whose web address is above. Thanks, guys. read more

In order to comprehend the gravity of the phrase, "Go for Broke," one must have his home, his rights, his possessions, his freedom, and everything else taken away and STILL be willing to fight the enemies of those who have imprisoned him and his family and friends to the best of his ability. Thus was the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, comprised of Japanese-Americans whose families were relegated to internment camps, untrusted following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Their insignia appears on the Go For Broke monument along with those of the 100th Infantry Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, the 232nd Combat Engineer Company, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. These men are real American heroes. The Fighting 442nd went on to become the most decorated unit of its size in American history. The monument has sort of a wedge shape with names etched along the back. When Brandon D. and I came to pay our respects last weekend, there were a few full bento boxes left around the base beneath the names. Although the memorial is sort of in a parking lot by MOCA, it's not far from the Japanese American National Museum and well worth visiting for a lesson in courage and humility. read more

I love this monument although most aren't aware of it. It resonates with me in many ways. "Go For Broke" is a Hawaiian Pidgin term. The US Government did good here by honoring the Japanese-Americans who were forced into internment camps. This is in honor of Hawaii's local boys who were a part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Japanese-Americans who were forced into internment camps. The names and quotes are displayed here in a circular structure. There's a new musical play that began in San Diego to test prior to opening later this yr on Broadway with a stellar cast. It's about the 442nd team and the internment camps. It's inspired by George Takei's real life experience in those camps. Lea Salonga also stars in this production. If you come to the monument or see the musical bring tissue. It's a heart wrenching experience. I was so proud to see this monument and a Hawaiian Pidgin phrase in big bold letters. That just made me smile. It's an important part of history that seems to have been swept under the rug. So I'm happy to have stumbled upon this on a fluke. If you are dining in Hawaii you will see "442nd" on menus. 442nd ! GO FOR BROKE! read more

My 500th review for a special monument... The Go For Broke National Monument honors the Japanese American soldiers of the 100th Infantry, 442nd Infantry, MIS, RCT and others who bravely served for their country during WWII.... while 120,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast (over 2/3rds who were American born citizens), including a vast number of soldier's families, were incarcerated in "internment" camps. My father only recently told me harrowing stories of the battles he was involved in. I didn't find out until a few years back that his first battle as a green 19 year old soldier was the Ardennes Offensive, aka the Battle of the Bulge. When he and his brother returned to the US after the end of the war, they got kicked off a bus on their way home to Washington because they were of Japanese descent. They were wearing their US Army uniforms. When they got to town, they couldn't get a haircut---the barber came out with a sign which read "We don't serve Japs"...they had their uniforms on. I am glad there is a monument to the layered sacrifices these soldiers made, many with their lives, in hopes of making a better life for their families and descendants: Americans. I do wish it was located closer to the Japanese American National Museum...I saw it quite by accident on leaving the Geffen. read more

Any time we have family in town from my moms side we usually take them here because one side of the family is on the monument, the other side of the family designed it, so there's a pretty solid chance that they wanted to come here anyways. I've been quite a few times but only once has there been someone there to greet us and help us find our loved one on the monument (it was a friday morning/afternoon). I wish I had asked the gentlemen there what their names where because they were so helpful, but we forgot. They were able to answer all of our questions and shared stories about their experiences while in the service. If you want to feel goosebumps all over your body, so and see the monument and listen to the stories of dedication, sacrifice and pride. Go and remember and honor the people on this monument. read more

This memorial does not deserve any less than five stars. For those who don't know about the dedication, sacrifice, and service of the 442nd regiment during WWII please visit wikipedia for some details (don't you love wikipedia?) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States) After some extensive neck craning and a fight with the computer provided at the site I was able to locate my Uncle Yosh's name etched on the wall. =) But why is the location of this memorial (a reminder of such an important part of Japanese American history) way in the back? We walked under a bare metal foundation next to what looks like an abandoned building next to an empty parking lot with weeds growing everywhere. Very isolated. =/ read more

I love that there is a special place to honor the members of my family that fought in the war. As proud members of the Japanese American community and the 100th/442nd, I believe that they deserve the recognition and honor that this monument represents. It's is crucial for our Japanese American community and the community at large to note the achievements of this group of individuals. Many members of my family had to make sacrifices and lost a great deal in the war and EO9066. It was a tough subject of conversation for many years that brought such strong emotions. I appreciate this monument and love to come and visit whenever I am in the area. It's a wonderful opportunity to pay my respect to honored citizens of the Japanese American community. read more

Went to see my grandpas name! Nice monument for all that served in the 442nd and 100th!

Every other square on the pattern was dewy grass around midnight. I don't really know the history of the segregated combat/infantry teams. I was trying to show my boyfriend around downtown and it wasn't easy to read all the names as we paid our respects this morning. I'm glad the foundation has shifted its focus to education because an awareness of veterans' sacrifice doesn't always touch our everyday reality. The site is ideally located within walking distance to the Japanese American National Museum, National Center for Democracy, and across the street from the Metro stop under construction. read more

This beautiful monument sits at the end of walkway as you are heading to the parking lots. It is fairly big so you won't miss it. If you are looking for a particular name that is on the backside of the monument, I suggest you hit up the goforbroke.org name locator since there are over 16,000 names. (I didn't check the kiosk to see if it was working.) read more

It was very touching to visit this monument while we were in Little Tokyo in October. The best part was being able to talk to two men who were veterans of the 442nd. They were so humble and friendly. They even gave my kids some cookies they had with them. I will update this review with one more star when our government honors this monument a bit more by providing some better shelter for these volunteers, as well as landscaping the area more and providing better signage to give these special people the honor they so richly deserve. read more

So glad to finally see an appropriate monument dedicated to the heroic Japanese soldiers whom has helped protect our country, freedom and to prove their loyalty to our country despite the horrible and outrageous prejudice hey all had to encounter on the same soil they are defending. This small yet very important monument is a great reminder that America still has alot of work to do with race and immigration policies so we as a country can continue to progress and read more

My grandfather was 1st Lieutenant Mas Chomori he lived through the war and lived till he was 93 he recently passed away but i go there every new years day and just find his name his buddies names and i just stand there he was a great man I know the rest of his men were just as great this is a near forgotten monument to great men i hope this monument stands till the end of time and i hope the story of the men of the 442nd is never lost to history GO FOR BROKE read more