Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II

The Christmas of 1942 was “emotionally wrought, and traumatic” (137). Five million American soldiers were away at the front—this figure would be 16 million by the end of the war. American POWs in the Japanese-controlled Philippines were brutalized. Imprisoned Japanese Americans made the best of their circumstances, celebrating Christmas at “block parties” (137) with donated Christmas trees and self-made ornaments.

The efforts of Japanese Americans lobbying to allow Nisei to join the army paid off. The decision came from discussions between the War Department, FBI, Army Intelligence, and Selective Service. In February 1943, President Roosevelt signed a memo signaling that “[e]very loyal American should be given the opportunity to serve this country” (139). The ultimate objective for the Nisei was to join the Allied forces in Europe to challenge Nazi Germany and fascist Italy: “A great force, a massive, coordinated, unified human effort unlike anything the world had ever seen, was in motion, gathering momentum across the globe, bent on destroying the dark, cynical forces of authoritarianism” (139)

The opportunity to enlist affected Japanese Americans in different ways. Kats was excited and believed enlisting was consistent with the Japanese concept of honor. He convinced his brother Katsuaki to enlist with him.