"Rising to the defense of their country, by the thousands
they came - these young Japanese American soldiers from Hawaii,
the states, America’s concentration camps - to fight in
Europe and the Pacific during World War II. Looked upon with
suspicion, set apart and deprived of their constitutional rights,
they nevertheless remained steadfast and served with indomitable
spirit and uncommon valor, for theirs was a fight to prove loyalty.
This legacy will serve as a sobering reminder that never again
shall any group be denied liberty and the rights of citizenship."
- Go For Broke Monument, Los Angeles, California
The following lessons share the stories of American soldiers
of Japanese ancestry during World War II who faced two enemies
- the battlefield foe and the prejudice they faced at home. These
World War II veterans provide a first-hand, personal perspective
into both the triumphant moments and the tragedies and sacrifices
of war.
Their successful effort to secure recognition and redress for
the injustices suffered during the war is a powerful example of
the weaknesses and strengths of living in a democratic nation.
Each of the lessons that follow is designed to be a stand-alone
lesson. You may select one or any combination of lessons that
fit your time allocation. Each lesson contains a reading, activities,
and a glossary. By clicking on the underlined terms in each lesson
you have the option of printing out an additional reading. The
reading can be used as an extra credit or enrichment activity.
If you have Acrobat Reader software 
installed, you can access a printable version of these lesson
plans by clicking on the "Printable version" link on
each page.
The readings support specific History-Social Science Standards.
In California: Grade 11:
11.7 Students analyze the American participation in World War
II.
3. Identify the roles and sacrifices of
individual American soldiers, as well as the unique contributions
of special fighting forces (e.g. the Tuskegee Airmen, the 442nd
Regimental Combat Team, the Navajo Code Talkers).
4. Discuss the constitutional issues and impact of events on the
U.S. home front, including the internment of Japanese Americans
(Fred Korematsu v. United States of America).
