442nd Welcomes 411th home from Iraq

May 7, 2005

Under a bright blue sky, thousands of Maui residents welcomed home 40 soldiers of the 411th Engineer Battalion who spent a year serving in Iraq.

442nd veteran Kiyoshi Kishimoto who was awarded the Silver Star for valor in the Vosges Mountains of France. led the ceremonies as grand marshal of the welcome home parade.

442nd veteran Kiyoshi Kishimoto served as grand marshal

“You are truly the pride of the Pacific, and I am proud to serve with you as a fellow soldier,” Brig. Gen. John Ma told the Maui soldiers Saturday.

The 411th Engineer Battalion comprised approximately 625 men and women in the Army Reserves from Alaska, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Hawaii and other states.

They were assigned to the 1st Calvary Division and operated out of Camp Victory North, later renamed Camp Liberty, located in west Baghdad near Baghdad International Airport.

Working seven days a week, their assignment was to complete hundreds of construction projects, including base camp facilities such as barracks and operations buildings, and security bunkers and defensive positions. They also helped to rebuild roads, bridges, and government buildings.