U.S. Soldiers Of Japanese Descent In Italy -- Three members of a U.S. Army infantry battalion composed entirely of Americans of Japanese origin play cards during a period of leisure behind the front lines in Italy where they are fighting with the Allied Fifth army. The three are, left to right; Himeo Hirutani, Harold Kaneshiro and Hichino Hashimoto. The battalion, which was recruited in took part in a four-day battle at Benevento, and some of its members rescued group of American parachutists who had been isolated behind the German lines for two weeks. January 15, 1944.