Divine Arrows patch.

The Divine Arrows.( Kami-ya )

Much has been written about the incredible contribution made by Japanese Americans or Neisi ( born in the USA )during WWII. Specifically we tell stories of the 442 Infantry Regiment that fought their way through Italy and became the most decorated unit in United States Military history.

What we do not hear about however is those Neisi that served in the Pacific Theatre. Their’s was a dangerous game delicately played between allegiance of the new against those of their ancestors. A moment of confusion, of recognition on either side could mean instant death by M-1 carbine or cold samurai steel.

The Divine Arrows ( Kami-Ya) unit was one such group. Recruited for their engineering degrees across American Universities, this select body of men were flight trained by the War Department and then sent to the Pacific. Their task? To fly and evaluate captured Japanese aircraft and to report back to the US Army Air Corps on performance, handling and combat tactics of Nippon fighter groups.

Their efforts closed the gap and allowed American Squadrons advantage in the skies and backed the attack all the way to Tokio.

Each man who served in this unit wore a patch emblazon on his cap, a design featuring the tail feathers of four arrows arranged in an ancient sigil of another time and another culture. The Papa Nui Cap Company from their forward operating base on the Atoll crafted these iconic patches to celebrate a legend of courage as mighty as the reputation of these brave individuals.