Angels of War

After the start of World War II, the U.S. government faced a choice: Just how much of a role would its ethnic and racial minorities play in fighting the war? In the face of unparalleled threats to humanity, Black and Japanese American soldiers were placed in segregated units and relegated to behind-the-lines duty until 1943. Two units, the Japanese American 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Black 761st Tank Battalion, were able to break free from the racist restrictions and serve in combat with distinction. Author Mark Cotta Vaz interviewed dozens of soldiers from both units for this history that explores the units' experiences during the war and afterward.