When the Akimotos Went to War: An Untold Story Of Family, Patriotism and Sacrifice During World War II: An untold story of family, patriotism, and sacrifice during World War II

The newly released non-fiction book, When the Akimotos Went to War: An untold story of family, patriotism and sacrifice during World War II, captures the story of three Japanese American brothers Victor, Johnny, and Ted Akimoto who volunteered for military service while their family members were forced into an internment camp. Despite the nation-wide fear of the Nisei the first generation of Japanese children born in the United States who were American citizens the Akimoto brothers pledged their loyalty and bravery to the U.S. military, wanting to prove that being an American ran deeper than race.

This story will engage middle school students and above to identify and understand the struggles that Japanese-American soldiers endured during World War II. This content will help students expand their knowledge about U.S. history to include an understanding of training camps, shipping out overseas, loss of life, and prisoner of war camps during World War II.