This week marks the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which enabled the U.S. government to forcibly remove and incarcerate 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry.
In spite of this monumental injustice, more than 33,000 second generation Japanese Americans volunteered to serve in the United States Army during World War II. The 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed almost entirely of soldiers of Japanese descent, became the most decorated unit in United States military history for its size and length of service.
In 2010, President Obama awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. On Tuesday, the president met with seven surviving Nisei veterans -- all in their 90s -- to thank them in person.
Here's some video from their meeting:
More here: President Obama Meets Japanese American World War II Veterans