The gritty and inspiring story of the Japanese American “Go for Broke” regiment that rescued—against all odds—a trapped American battalion, and went on to become the most decorated unit of its size in World War II
On October 24, 1944, more than two hundred American soldiers were surrounded by German infantry deep in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France. When their food, ammunition, and medical supplies ran out, the area’s Army headquarters turned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit of Japanese American soldiers, to achieve what other units had failed to do: rescue the “lost battalion.”
In this riveting narrative, New York Times bestselling historian Scott McGaugh tells the story of the famous soldiers who had volunteered for combat from within America’s internment camps. It is a story of a young generation’s fight against both the enemy and American prejudice—a story of heroism, sacrifice, and the best America has to offer.
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“A stirring, superbly written account of the Nisei soldiers who fought a determined enemy, terrible weather, impossible terrain, command blunders, and racial injustice at home… Inspiring!”
— Flint Whitlock, editor, World War II Quarterly
“[McGaugh’s] recounting…could not be more gripping."
— Times of San Diego“These men are honored by this book and deserve the appreciation of this nation.”
— Portland Book Review“Highly recommended.”
— Midwest Book Review“McGaugh captures the horror and humanity of this slog through mud, forest and unrelenting German resistance.”
— Shelf Awareness (starred review)“Brings the points of view of the American soldier, the Japanese-American soldier, and even the Germans into a much more complete picture than previously produced."
— San Francisco Book Review“A suspenseful narrative that carefully recounts the actions, events, and personalities involved…A satisfying read and a necessary addition to the subject’s literature.”
— Library Journal“A great read.”
— Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author“Riveting…A stirring tale of how Japanese American soldiers disregarded hatred, distrust, and overt racism to serve the nation with courage, dignity, and distinction.”
— Stephen Harding, New York Times bestselling author“The sacrifice of these young Japanese American volunteer soldiers…gave poignant new meaning and irony to America’s understanding of patriotism.”
— Pete Wilson, former governor of CaliforniaBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Scott McGaugh is the author of Surgeon in Blue, a New York Times E-Book Bestseller, and the founding marketing director of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, the most-visited floating ship museum in the world and among the ten most popular museums in America. McGaugh has appeared on such networks as the History Channel, Travel Network, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, FOX Network, and Wealth TV, among others, and has been a guest on NPR’s Weekend Edition. A former weekly newspaper publisher, McGaugh is now a guest lecturer at San Diego State University and has taught at the San Diego State University Writers Conference.
Traber Burns worked for thirty-five years in regional theater, including the New York, Oregon, and Alabama Shakespeare festivals. He also spent five years in Los Angeles appearing in many television productions and commercials, including Lost, Close to Home, Without a Trace, Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Case, Gilmore Girls, and others.