Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers

Book excerpt: The last installment in a trilogy of graphic novels that began with We Hereby Refuse (Washington State Book Award Finalist) and Those Who Helped Us, this book details the stories of six courageous Japanese American soldiers from the Pacific Northwest. Written by Lawrence Matsuda and illustrated by Matt Sasaki, Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers shows how these brave individuals made a significant mark on American history. Shiro Kashino, a legendary local hero with the famed all-Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was wounded six times in combat, yet still served with the 442nd until the end of the war. Frank Nishimura fought in all the 442nd's major campaigns and suffered lifelong hearing loss due to an exploding German grenade. Jimmie Kanaya, a 442nd medic captured by the Germans, became a prisoner of war until being liberated by American forces. He went on to become a U.S. Army officer. Roy Matsumoto, a member of the Military Intelligence Service as a battlefield interpreter in the Pacific, fought with the famed Merrill's Marauders in Burma and was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. Tosh Yasutake, a combat medic who served with the 442nd for the duration of the war, was wounded by shrapnel from a German artillery shell blast. Teruyuki "Turk" Susuki, a veteran of the 442nd's signature "Lost Battalion" campaign in France, became a casualty due to severe trench foot. Together with the previous graphic novels in this series, Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers tells critically important stories of Japanese American experiences during World War II.