After a year of training, the 442nd shipped out to Europe, where Wada's company served on the front lines in the Rome-Arno, Po Valley and Ardennes campaigns.
The casualty rate was high and within a month, Wada rose three ranks from scout to platoon sergeant.
The 442nd's greatest test -- and one that nearly cost Wada his life -- came in October 1944 when they and the 100th Infantry Battalion (also Nisei) together fought to liberate Bruyeres, France, and rescue a small Texas battalion surrounded by German soldiers.
The bravery of the Nisei soldiers, who hurled themselves at the dug-in German forces and fought hand-to-hand at close range, led to the "Lost Battalion Rescue" to become known as one of the greatest ground battles of the war.
During the final days of the battle, Wada was seriously wounded by shrapnel injuries to his lower body and ended up spending more than a month in a hospital.
Among the many combat decorations he received were a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a combat medal with four oak clusters. In 2011, he and all of the 442nd and 100th veterans received the Congressional Gold Medal. And, in 2015, he received France's highest military award, the Legion of Honor.
--GreGen
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