“While Susumu was stationed at Camp Shelby, he was asked to join a club. The purpose of the club was after the boys were discharged from the army, they would have a place to meet their comrades. The monthly dues would be $2…It has given him a good, useful and happy life with his comrades.” — Ruth Kunishige, recalling her husband’s ties to the 100th Infantry Club (Puka Puka Parade, September 2005)

442nd Veterans Club

The men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team bonded during World War II, fighting side-by-side in Europe amid fierce enemy fire and discrimination back home. Hoping to preserve their close friendships, the Nisei soldiers formed various veterans organizations after they returned home.

On December 27, 1945, a group gathered on Oahu for the first formal meeting of the 442nd Veterans Club. Other preliminary gatherings followed, before the club officially adopted its constitution and bylaws at the former Nuuanu YMCA auditorium on February 7, 1946.

The club opened its own space on July 22, 1948, after nine members of the original Moiliili Young Men’s Association (YMA) offered its facilities to the club with a 50-year lease set at $1 per year.

The property at 933 Wiliwili St. was officially transferred to the club four years later on June 27, 1952. Over the next several years, the group worked to construct a modern clubhouse and apartment building, which was formally dedicated and opened on December 17, 1960.

Along with coming together for social gatherings and athletic events, the 442nd Veterans Club became active in the community, participating in various fundraisers and partnering with such organizations as the American Red Cross and March of Dimes. The club has sponsored the annual State High School Baseball Championship Tournament and the Japan-Hawaii Goodwill Baseball series.

Although very few of the original members remain, their children continue to perpetuate the legacy of the Nisei veterans as the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

100th Infantry Battalion Veterans

During the war the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion formed a group called 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (aka Club 100) and agreed to pay $2 from each of their monthly paychecks to build a clubhouse in Honolulu after the war.

The original 100th Veterans clubhouse opened in Honolulu at 1444 Nuuanu Ave. in 1946. It was sold three years later, then work began on a new Honolulu clubhouse at 520 Kamoku St. That property, which opened in 1952, remains in place, with the veterans’ children now running the club and maintaining the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion.

The club’s motto is: “For Continuing Service” and members over the years have been active in civil affairs, assisting numerous nonprofits, recreational groups, schools and community groups.

Over the years, the club also has hosted numerous social gatherings, including the 100th Wine Gang, which included veterans from the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, along with their friends and family. When active, the group got together every Thursday for lunch at the 100th clubhouse.

Other Nisei veterans form clubs

The Military Intelligence Service Veterans Club of Hawaii formed in June 1946, with a mission of preserving the achievements of the MIS veterans through public education programs, community service and partnerships.

Likewise, veterans of the 1399 Engineering Construction Battalion formed a club on Oahu in 1959, which remained active until it was dissolved by the members in 2011.

Nisei Veterans organizations were also formed on Kauai and Maui, and continue to be active in veteran and community activities.