reunion commemorates rescue of "the lost battalion"

This is a really interesting Associated Press story on members of two American military units that fought during World War II who reunited in Houston over the weekend, marking the 65th anniversary of rescue of the "Lost Battalion": Texas vets reunite with Japanese-American rescuers.

In October 1944, the 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division from Texas found themselves surrounded by German soldiers in northern France's Vosges Mountains.

When it seemed like all hope was lost, they were rescued by the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit made up almost entirely of Japanese Americans. The 442nd broke through the German ranks and was able to free the 1st Battalion.

The epic and bloody rescue, which lasted several days, became one of World War II's most famed battles. The 442nd suffered 814 casualties as it rescued 217 men.

Forty members from both units gathered on Sunday at a fundraising gala hosted by the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation in Texas. Although the units had reunited once before, this was the largest meeting of surviving members of the two groups.