American Grit
the epic story of resilience, love, and making the world better for all of us
American Grit is the true story of extraordinary Americans who were incarcerated in American concentration camps because of their race during World War II, and still volunteered to fight and die for America for a better life and a better world.
John Suzuki tells the inspiring story of Shiro “Kash” Kashino, Louise Tsuboi and others who found the courage and resilience from their incarceration to fight for the very country that so unjustly incarcerated them.
American Grit offers an inside perspective of the concentration camps of America and historic heroism of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team by giving readers a glimpse into Kash’s life and the Japanese American experience during World War II. It is an unforgettable story of self-empowerment in overcoming racism, hardship, and governmental injustice to fight for what is right, and a timely reminder of how fragile our world can be and why we must keep concentration camps in America from ever happening again.
Photos from American grit
The Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 thrust the United States into World War II.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Executive Order 9066 posted outside a building.
Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Members of a Japanese American family await an evacuation bus to transport them to a military detention center.
Photo courtesy of the Dorothea Lange Collection.
Aerial view of the Minidoka internment camp.
Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Main entrance to Minidoka.
Photo courtesy of Densho.org.
Painting of “The 442nd Rescue of the Lost Battalion in Vosges, France” by Charles McBarrow.
Courtesy of the Army Art Collection, U.S. Center of Military History.
American Grit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
REVIEWED BY NATALIE SOINE FOR READERS’ FAVORITE
I commend John Suzuki for his dedication and commitment to completing this historical, educational story and including the most beautiful photos. John has fulfilled Kashino’s wish that the experience of Japanese Americans and the valor of the 442nd RCT during World War II never be forgotten.
Readers will appreciate the time and effort it must have taken John to complete his research, travel to various towns, and compile all the information he gathered along the way. John has also included original documents and references for further reading. American Grit is well-written, smooth flowing, and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended to people of all ages.
Minidoka
Minidoka Honor Roll.
Photo courtesy of Densho.
One of Minidoka's baseball teams. Shiro Kashino is in the middle row, second from the right.
Photo courtesy of the Kashino family and Densho.org.
Everybody did their part to transform their desert prison into more livable space including gardens, rock pathways, and play areas.
Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
When Minidoka internees returned to Seattle, some came home to threatening graffiti and vandalized property. Despite Japanese Americans proving their loyalty during World War II, racism against Japanese Americans continued.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of History and Industry.
Additional Imagery from American Grit
