Arizona's 158th Regimental Combat Team was one of the most unique infantry units of World War II. Created during an era when the US military followed a strict code of segregation, the Bushmasters evolved into one of the most diverse regiments of the war: one-third of the men were Latino, and no fewer than 22 Native American tribes were represented in their ranks. Several Japanese-Americans, many who had volunteered from internment camps, served in the unit as interpreters. Because of their diversity, the Bushmasters looked more like a typical American infantry regiment of today.

But the Bushmasters are renowned for more than just their diverse membership. Because of the reputation they achieved during their training in Panama, General MacArthur personally requested that they be placed under his command. They fought in one of the bloodiest (yet often overlooked) theaters of the war, the Southwest Pacific. They witnessed unimaginable acts of cruelty and barbarity, as well as acts of heroism and selflessness. They faced a tough and determined foe that was as equally skilled in jungle war as they were, the Imperial Japanese Army. They were also selected to spearhead the invasion of Japan, a mission they fortunately never had to carry out.